KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – OCTOBER 18: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, waits in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 18, 2019, in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Talladega wasn’t good to Chase Elliott.
As a matter of fact, it was so unkind that it left the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ reigning most popular driver in a probable must-win situation in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 14: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Dent Wizard Ford, takes the checkered flag ahead of Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Wyndham Rewards Ford, to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2019, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series returns to Talladega Superspeedway in what is possibly be the most gut-wrenching playoff race on the schedule. The point standings have been tight, and a superspeedway race can ruin many drivers’ chances of moving on. This year the aero-package has been extremely sporty on superspeedway tracks with speeds increasing this year compared to the previous years. This produces a faster pack, with a smaller margin for error.
DOVER, DELAWARE – OCTOBER 06: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 06, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
While Chase Elliott exited the race before he could break a sweat, his teammates at Hendrick Motorsports proved there was speed in their engines.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: William Byron, driver of the #24 UniFirst Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
CONCORD, N.C. – Compared with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman’s stress-laden run to a berth in the Round of 12 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, pole winner William Byron’s path to advancement was relatively pressure-free.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
CONCORD, N.C. – Moments after taking the checkered flag in Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, race winner Chase Elliott revisited the site of his biggest mistake.