Twenty-five laps into the NASCAR Cup Series race, Chase Elliott was running second in the Brickyard 400.
His crew trailed Denny Hamlin and the other cars down pit road. But according to NASCAR authorities, the No. 9’s stop was very different—at least the exit was—because the 2020 Cup Series winner was penalized for crossing the blend line as he was pulling off pit road.
The 28-year-old openly expressed his disapproval over the team radio, fiercely disagreeing with the governing body’s decision.
What the [expletive] fucking hell? “They distributed the [derogatory] memo yesterday,” Elliott angrily informed his group. “Follow their [expletive] instructions to the letter.”
“Did they show you the black flag?” Alan Gustafson, the crew chief, questioned. The motorist went on with his tirade without answering the question. Elliott protested, “They didn’t say line.” “Racing surface,” they said.
You then tell me about my [expletive] behavior on the [expletive] racetrack. In an attempt to reroute his driver, Gustafson remarked, “Okay, focus forward.”
“They are not correct. They are not correct. Look ahead. Right now, there is nothing we can do. If they’re not black-flapping you in the future, keep going till I figure it out.
“No, they were black-flagging me,” the HMS driver responded.
Despite his anger, the penalty didn’t affect his overall day as the No. 9 finished second in Stage 2 and 10th in the race.
Chase Elliott Had Company on Pit Road Penalty.
It’s interesting to note that Brad Keselowski, a previous Cup winner, received the identical penalty during that stop, expressed similar confusion over the NASCAR officials’ decision, and responded very differently.
The driver and co-owner of RFK Racing said over the radio, “So either I don’t know how to read, or they don’t know how to officiate—one of the two.” His staff assured him, “That is not what the email reads. Above the outside white line is considered the racing surface.” “Guys, I apologize for this.
At the end of the day, that was obviously my fault,” the driver said. “I’ve been racing on this oval for thirteen years, and you’ve managed to run out like that.”
Receive an email the previous evening stating that you will be penalized if you rush out in that manner. I am at a loss for words regarding that.
Elliott’s Second Pit Road Penalty in as Many Weeks
Elliott’s penalty for something that happened on pit road is even the more intriguing considering that the No. 9 was speeding at the Pocono race the week prior.
His record of 92 races without receiving a penalty for exceeding the speed limit was broken, making it a momentous occasion. Even though the driver’s perspective had changed significantly, his crew chief maintained that NASCAR made a mistake.
“How much too fast were we?” Elliott asked.
“.16 mile an hour,” the crew chief responded.
The driver asked, “I don’t understand with the rest of the day had been okay.” “I don’t think I changed all that much.” Gustafson informed him, “That zone was way off from the get-go.”
It has been wildly inaccurate. You know, you’re just not seeing things clearly. Just ignore it; it has been incorrect. Sadly, they refused to acknowledge their own mistakes there.
Being a competent crew chief means that Alan Gustafson will support his driver even if he is mistaken.
