It is no secret that Chase Elliott was touted to make it big at Watkins Glen International on Sunday. After all, with two wins on the track, the Hendrick Motorsports star knew it better than most. However, it all went south because of an unforgettable error from Rick Hendrick’s team. Naturally, the fans were left fuming after it.
Elliott came into the race at The Glen hunting for a win to make it to the playoffs. With so much at stake, there was too much pressure in the #9 camp to make it work on Sunday. Eventually, it looked like the pressure got to them.
Hendrick Motorsports had a mixed day at The Glen despite Chase Elliott slip up
Safe to say, Hendrick Motorsports have enjoyed their time at Watkins Glen International in the recent past. With Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson winning twice in the last four races at the track, it has been a productive track for the Cup Series giants.
It only got better for HMS as William Byron registered his fifth win of the 2023 season after ending victorious on Sunday. In fact, it was quite a significant win for the #24 driver since it was his first road course win. While it was enjoyable for him, the same could not be said for Elliott.
.@chaseelliott says he rear tires are "cooked." He asks when they'll bring him in. AG says he'll run about 10 or 12 more laps #di9
— NAPA Racing (@NAPARacing) August 20, 2023
Coming into the race, Elliott started in the 15th position. Despite not having a favorable starting position, he did well to climb up the ladder in the first two stages. However, it all went downhill in Stage 3 when he complained about not having enough fuel.
As per his team’s judgment, Elliott still had two laps of fuel left with him. While they looked confident about that, it turned out they had the wrong information. Eventually, this saw the #9 driver run out of fuel in the 55th lap of the race, suffering a major blow to his playoff aspirations.
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It certainly puts Elliott in a lot of misery going into Daytona next weekend. Understandably, the fans left no stone unturned after the incident.
Chase Elliott’s team’s poor decision leaves NASCAR fandom fuming after the Watkins Glen International race
Unsurprisingly, many expected Chase Elliott to do his magic at The Glen. It was not just about his record there but also the immense talent that he possessed that brought the expectations. Naturally, when crew chief Alan Gustafson and his team got the fuel refilling call wrong, it disappointed plenty.
Major issues for @chaseelliott!
He runs out of fuel in the bus stop. pic.twitter.com/Xfr7R6F8C1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 20, 2023
In fact, many took it out on Twitter to vent their frustration. A few of them even demanded strict action from the Hendrick Motorsports management.
“A fucking lap down and nascar has basically no cautions in road courses so their screwed. Yank Alan off the box right now Rick hendrick”
“@RickHendrick HELLLLLLOOOOO!!!! Are you going to stand up for Chase Elliott or just allow him to continue to get screwed over?”
“This is on Gustafson. This is ridiculous. @chaseelliott deserves more from all of you.”
“Fire Alan today. @RickHendrick”
“Between a 600k a year crew chief and a war room there is no way he’s out of fuel…if that’s true and I’m Rick Hendrick I’m firing like 7 people”
“@JeffGordonWeb @RickHendrick GET RID OF ALAN”
It is understandable why the fans were left upset with the decision made by the #9 team camp. Unfortunately for Elliott, it all comes down to the race at Daytona next weekend. Will he be able to make it count with one last attempt? Let us know in the comments below.
WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott Calls Out Hendrick Motorsports Revealing What Lost Him the Race
The post “I’m Firing Like 7 People” -Rick Hendrick’s Team’s Slipup Exposed by NASCAR World After Chase Elliott Bitter Misery appeared first on EssentiallySports.
