Chase Elliott’s chances of adding another NASCAR road course win were dashed thanks to pit-road trouble at Sonoma – but what actually happened to the #9 Hendrick Chevy? Where did he eventually finish?
Whenever NASCAR ditches the ovals and heads to a road course, there is usually one driver who can be counted on to be in contention for the win.
Chase Elliott secured his first Cup win on a road course at Watkins Glen in 2018, and since then, seven of his 14 wins have come on the twisty tracks.
Perhaps that’s no surprise given his #9 Hendrick is of course the old Jeff Gordon #24 – the four-time champion the best road course racer NASCAR has ever seen.
At Sonoma, Chase Elliott was in contention for yet another win, but what happened to the 2020 champion to deny him a victory shot? Where did he finish?
What happened to Chase Elliott at Sonoma?
Throughout the second stage at Sonoma Elliott was in the leading gaggle, with Hendrick teammate Kyle Larson also up front.
However, at the stage two break after a P8 finish, problems befell Elliott on pitroad.
As the #9 car was pulling away from his stop, crew chief Alan Gustafson told him to stop immediately as the left-rear was not fastened securely.
Had Gustafson allowed Elliott out on track and the wheel fell off, it would be a four race suspension for him, the tyre changer and the jackman.
He told Elliott to back up into his designated pit-area so the team could work on the car and make sure all the tyres were fastened.
Pit road woes for @chaseelliott and the No. 9 team. pic.twitter.com/5pxKK3pYEh
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 12, 2022
However, despite backing up so all the Chevy’s wheels were in the box, the nose of the Camaro was overhanging into the next box.
No matter if you are the most popular driver, that’s a penalty.
Elliott was forced to start from the rear for stage three, and as he was under penalty, lost his stage points from that eighth place finish.
Where did he finish?
Despite starting the final stage at the rear at Sonoma after what had happened to him, Chase Elliott went on something of a comeback drive.
He would finish P8 as the lead Hendrick as Larson’s right-front wheel fell off – meaning Cliff Daniels, the tyre changer and the jackman will be at home for Nashville, Road America, Atlanta and New Hampshire – returning for Pocono.
Teammates William Byron and Alex Bowman were ninth and 16th as Hendrick also passed the milestone of 100,000 miles led in the Cup Series.
Elliott is still the current points leader, and is one of 12 drivers currently locked into the Playoffs thanks to his win at Dover.
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