Chase Elliott’s COTA Comeback: From First-Lap Chaos to a Stunning Top-Five Finish!
AUSTIN, Texas Chase Elliott nearly saw his race come to an abrupt end at Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). However, the No. 9 driver showcased an unbelievable comeback, battling his way through the field to secure a fourth-place finish.
Right from the drop of the green flag, Ross Chastain charged his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet into Turn 1, starting from the ninth position. He pushed as far as possible on the racing surface, giving himself little room to hit the corner’s apex.
As a result, Chastain completely overshot the turn, colliding with Elliott, who had started third. The impact sent Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet spinning into the middle of the track, triggering a multi-car incident. Denny Hamlin, Connor Zilisch, and Todd Gilliland were also caught in the first-lap chaos.
Absolute mayhem! Chastain’s ill-timed dive bomb ruined the day for multiple drivers—but could it stop a determined Chase Elliott?
Knocked to the Back of the Field, Elliott Refuses to Give Up
The first-lap disaster left Elliott with a broken toe link, forcing him to drop all the way to the rear of the field. While it looked like his race was over, the Hendrick Motorsports crew had other plans.
Crew chief Alan Gustafson made a bold strategic decision to flip the first stage, maximizing Elliott’s point potential despite the early damage. Against the odds, Elliott still managed to finish Stage 1 in fifth, collecting six crucial points before heading to pit road for repairs.
Unfortunately, in Stage 2, several other drivers prioritized stage points, preventing Elliott from adding to his tally. However, for a fighter like him, the real battle was just beginning.
Could Elliott pull off the impossible? Fans were on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what the No. 9 car had left in the tank.
Second Half of the Race: Elliott Goes into Beast Mode
With his car patched up, Elliott turned up the intensity in the second half of the race. He methodically picked off his competitors, clawing his way back toward the front.
The turning point came with 17 laps remaining, when Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon spun, bringing out the final caution. Seizing the opportunity, Gustafson called Elliott to pit road for fresh tires, giving the No. 9 team a potential advantage on the restart.
Restarting outside the top 20, Elliott put his fresh rubber to full use, slicing through the field with precision.
From the back to the front! Elliott was on a mission, proving why he’s one of NASCAR’s elite drivers.
Cracking the Top 10—Did Chastain Back Off?
With fewer than 10 laps remaining, Elliott had stormed into the top 10. But what happened next raised some eyebrows.
Chastain, the same driver who wrecked Elliott on Lap 1, suddenly pulled over and let Elliott pass without a fight. This move suggested that the No. 1 team feared retaliation for the earlier incident.
After clearing Chastain, Elliott kept charging, overtaking more cars in the closing laps to finish fourth, just 5.2 seconds behind race winner Christopher Bell.
Elliott: “A Great Recovery, But I Wanted a Clean Race”
Despite his incredible comeback, Elliott couldn’t hide his frustration with how his race started.
“I wish we could put together a clean day,” Elliott said. “It sucks to fall behind that early. We had a great NAPA Chevrolet on Saturday, and I would have loved to see how we stacked up with these guys today. It’s frustrating to have to piece the car back together and never really get a fair shot at the win.”
Elliott also admitted that he had not yet watched the replay of the Lap 1 incident with Chastain. Meanwhile, both Chastain and Gustafson declined to comment on the early crash.
A Top-Five Finish Propels Elliott Up the Standings
With his fourth-place finish at COTA, Elliott jumped five spots in the regular-season standings, now sitting in fifth place, tied with Tyler Reddick. This was a significant gain for the No. 9 team, considering the disastrous start to the race.
From dead last to top 5! Chase Elliott reminded everyone why he remains one of NASCAR’s biggest threats.
How Elliott’s Performance Changes the Season Outlook
This comeback performance wasn’t just about a solid finish—it was a statement race. Elliott demonstrated that, even when faced with adversity, he is still a championship-caliber driver.
1. Momentum Heading Into the Next Race
Momentum is everything in NASCAR, and a hard-fought fourth-place finish at COTA gives Elliott and the No. 9 team a boost heading into the next race.
Could this be the beginning of a dominant run?
2. A Warning to the Competition
Other drivers should take note: even when you knock Elliott down, he gets right back up. With the Hendrick Motorsports team dialing in his car and Gustafson making smart strategy calls, Elliott could be a serious threat for wins moving forward.
3. A Potential Rivalry Brewing with Chastain?
The Lap 1 incident with Chastain could be the spark for an intensified rivalry. While Elliott didn’t retaliate at COTA, will he hold a grudge?
Fans love a good rivalry, and this one might just be heating up.
Final Takeaways: A Wild Race Filled with Drama
The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA delivered everything a NASCAR fan could ask for:
A chaotic first-lap wreck involving top contenders
A masterclass in strategy and resilience from Chase Elliott
Ross Chastain backing off, possibly fearing payback
Elliott charging through the field to secure a top-five finish
With this kind of performance, could Elliott be on his way to a dominant run in the coming races? Stay tuned!
What’s Next for Chase Elliott? Can He Keep the Momentum Going?
With his heroic drive at COTA, Chase Elliott has once again proven why he’s one of NASCAR’s most elite competitors. But the road ahead won’t be easy.
The next few races will be crucial in determining whether Elliott can capitalize on this momentum and put himself in a stronger position for the playoffs. His ability to recover from adversity is unmatched, but now the goal is clear: win races and fight for the championship.
With the Hendrick Motorsports crew behind him and Alan Gustafson calling the shots, Elliott has all the tools to make a deep run this season. The only question is: Can he avoid the early-race drama and finally have a clean shot at victory?
