Chase Elliott’s attempt to make the playoffs just got a lot harder after the crash that took both himself and Denny Hamlin out of the Coca Cola 600 on Memorial Day.
NASCAR has suspended the Hendrick Motorsports driver for one race after officials determined that Elliot’s hit on Hamlin was an intentional act. As a result, Chase Elliott will miss the race this weekend atWorld Wide Technology Raceway. Elliott just recently returned from missing six weeks due to a broken leg. And while he has a medical waiver, he must still either win a race or earn enough points to make the playoffs. Elliott is currently 29th in points with 215 – over 200 behind the leader.
On lap 186 Hamlin squeezed Elliott into the wall when Elliott then turned down and clipped Hamlin in the right rear quarter panel sending Hamlin into the wall. Both drivers received significant damage and were unable to finish the race and ending up in 34th and 35th place.
In issuing the one race suspension to Chase Elliott, NASCAR. It’s sections 4.3.A and 4.4.C & D of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct in the rule book which states “correct and proper conduct, both on and off the race track, is part of a member’s responsibilities.” Section 4.4.C lists “removing another competitor from championship contention in a dangerous manner when not racing for position based on the available evidence and specific circumstances of the incident”.
No penalty of any kind was issued to Hamlin.
NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition Elton Sayer spoke on the incident saying, “drivers need to understand they have to handle that a completely different way.”
With Josh Berry racing in Portland this weekend, Corey LaJoie will be doing the driving in the number nine car this weekend.
HMS owner Rick Hendrick has said that they will not be appealing the penalty, citing an understanding that NASCAR needs to maintain some consistency.
In his post wreck interview, Hamlin called the incident a tantrum by Elliott; adding that Elliott should be suspended.
Elliott’s response was that it was an unfortunate incident and that it was not done on purpose.