NASCAR driver Chase Elliott isn’t disputing the penalty he received last week for failing to enter pit road in a single-file line under caution. However, he believes he had a valid reason for his decision at the time.
During the race, Elliott was penalized for not adhering to NASCAR’s rule that requires drivers to maintain a single-file order when approaching pit road under caution. The infraction cost him valuable track position, affecting his overall race strategy.
“I completely understand the rule and why NASCAR made the call,” Elliott said. “At the same time, I felt like I had a good reason for not getting in line like they wanted.”
While Elliott didn’t elaborate in detail, his reasoning likely stemmed from positioning concerns, avoiding potential contact, or reacting to an on-track situation. Situations like these are not uncommon in NASCAR, where split-second decisions can make a significant impact on a race’s outcome.
Despite the setback, Elliott remained focused and pushed forward in the race. “It’s frustrating, but at the end of the day, we have to play by the rules,” he said. “We’ll learn from it and move on.”
Elliott and his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team will look to bounce back in the upcoming race as they continue their push toward playoff contention.
