In a surprise announcement, Hendrick Motorsports revealed that Chase Elliott will be returning to his number nine car at Martinsville Speedway.

The five time Most Popular Driver broke his leg in a snowboarding event on March 3 just prior to the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Elliott had surgery on his broken left fibia (the large bone in the lower leg) later that day.  At the time of the injury, it was reported that Elliott would be out at least six weeks.

Car owner Rick Hendrick spoke on Elliott’s return via a team release saying, “we’re looking forward to having Chase back in his race car to pick up where he left off.  Since the injury, he’s worked extremely hard and focused all his time and energy on returning to the number nine team. Throughout the last six weeks, he’s stayed fully engaged with everything we’re doing, and we know he’s chomping at the bit to get on the racetrack and compete for wins.”

During Elliott’s absence, Xfinity Series JR Motorsports regular Josh Berry has filled in for the oval races with Jordan Taylor  filling in on the road course at COTA.

This is the first season that Chase Elliott has been in the Cup Series that the Dawsonville, Georgia native has missed any races.

Currently Elliott is ranked 34th in the point standings with just 49 points but if he is issued a waiver by NASCAR, he would be eligible for the playoffs if he wins a race or earns enough points to rank in the top 16.

The 2020 Cup Series champion has never missed making the playoffs since becoming a full time driver in the Cup Series.  NASCAR has granted Elliott a medical waiver and will be allowed to enter the playoffs if he can earn enough points.

Last season in the first year with the Next Gen car, there was a total of 20 race winners.  The final 16 went down to the final regular season race.