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“This Car Will Kill Someone” Fears Grow as Chase Elliott Slams “Backwards” NASCAR After Justin Marks Tussle

Published 10/01/2022, 3:47 PM EDT

Ever since drivers started crashing in the Next-Gen cars, they have complained about the impacts they faced after the crash. But ever since Kurt Busch had to miss almost half the season because of concussion-like symptoms after just one incident, it started a domino effect. And Chase Elliott believes NASCAR is going backwards.

Chase Elliott says he is afraid the sport has gone backward when it comes to safety and the Next Gen car. He said he still has confidence that improvements will be made to the car. pic.twitter.com/uvwjcaVwgq
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 1, 2022

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A lot of drivers have blamed NASCAR for not fixing the issues. But everything got aggravated when Alex Bowman is forced to sit out of some of the most important Playoff races for the same symptoms. His teammate throws some shade at the sport’s poor handling of the issues.

In a recent press conference at Talladega, Elliott talked about this exact issue. He said, “We should have gone forward with a new opportunity and a new car. We have these years of experience and knowledge and time of racing and crashing these cars and teams working on them and building them. We can have something new in 2022 that offers all this technology, all this time, and experience of all these people and allow it to go backward. Especially with safety.

The 2020 Cup Series Champion added, “I just think it’s just super surprising to me that we allow that to happen. But we did and now it’s just about how we go forward from here.”

He emphasized ensuring the safety of drivers, “Making sure we’re making the right choices to improve what we have, and keep things like what happened to Alex [Bowman] this week from happening. And what happened to Kurt [Busch]”. Moreover, he knows it could happen to him, too. “I just hate to see us go backward, and I’m afraid we have in some of those areas.”

Chase Elliott had a tussle with Justin Marks about the same thing

Of course, this is one of the most concerning things in the sport at the moment and the Trackhouse Racing co-owner talked about it too.

He defended NASCAR as he stated, “This new car is the most radical change in the history of @NASCAR – perfecting its performance and safety is going to be a process. We cannot assume perfection right out of the gates. This comes from an owner whose parts expense is an order of magnitude more than budgeted.“

However, Elliott reiterated the same point when he added, “With the experience and knowledge gained since 1948 and the technology we have in 2022… we should never take steps backwards in any area with a new design.”

However, Marks continued, “I don’t necessarily disagree, I think a perfected product right out of the gates is still a bit of a tall order. I think the true test is going to be what we do now.”

While Marks isn’t wrong, it is essential to ensure that a driver is safe when he sits in a 200 Mph car. And Elliott also has a good point. Obviously, as a driver, he has his fears too. But what do the fans think about this matter?

NASCAR fans are team Elliot, as they back what the driver has to say

It seems the 2020 Cup Series Driver won out against Marks when the fans voiced their opinions. Clearly, they seem to support the Hendrick Motorsports drivers’ opinions.

He's right lots more recks lots more blow tires blown up engines with this car. Cars not even making 30 laps before breaking something. This is supposed to be the best car every doesn't seem like it. Two drives have gotten concussions from it .
— jason (@FLYERMAN23) October 1, 2022

The Next Gen car is… pic.twitter.com/k76UT67SI7
— Paul Schramm (@paul_schramm) October 1, 2022

I think what happened was NASCAR rushed the next gen car out so that sponsors shareholders of the company can be happy. The safety end of things wasn't a thing NASCAR was focusing on. It was all about the money hands down without a doubt.
— Donnie Corral Jr 🇺🇸 (@DonnieCorral1) October 1, 2022

Fans seem to feel compromising in safety in unacceptable.

A step back in safety is just unacceptable and this car appears to be a step back in multiple ways
— swirvan36 (@swirvan36) October 1, 2022

While other fans have even more extreme fears.

I’m afraid that this car will kill someone.
I know the drivers can’t refuse to race, and the teams can’t refuse to field this car. But NASCAR should have taken the drivers more seriously BEFORE Kurt got hurt.
— Bill D. Newberry (@wdnewberry) October 1, 2022

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WATCH THIS STORY: Bubba Wallace And Chase Elliott’s Wishes Answered By NASCAR Gods As All-Star Race Regains Its Prestige

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But what do you think about this whole fiasco? Should NASCAR really focus on safety before everything else?

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Written by:

Hetul Katyal is a NASCAR and F1 Writer at Essentially Sports. Currently pursuing his degree in Journalism from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce. When the Stock Cars rev up, you can find him cheering Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch, in hopes of seeing one of them drive to the Victory Lane.

“This Car Will Kill Someone” Fears Grow as Chase Elliott Slams “Backwards” NASCAR After Justin Marks Tussle

Chase Elliott had a tussle with Justin Marks about the same thing

NASCAR fans are team Elliot, as they back what the driver has to say

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