Chase Elliott Breaks Silence on Last-Lap Incident with Ryan Blaney at Michigan: What Happened and What’s Next
In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, every lap counts, but when it comes to the final lap, even the smallest misjudgment can have significant consequences. Last week at Michigan International Speedway, fans witnessed a dramatic turn of events when Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney collided on the final lap, costing both drivers valuable points in the race. What could have been strong top-10 finishes for both ended with Elliott in P15 and Blaney in P18, a disappointing result for the two friends and competitors.
The Incident: What Went Down on the Last Lap
As the race was coming to a close, Elliott and Blaney were running in 6th and 7th positions, both eyeing a potential top-5 finish. However, in the final moments of the race, Elliott’s car drifted up the track, making contact with Blaney’s car. The incident wasn’t dramatic, but it was enough to disrupt the momentum of both vehicles, leading to their less-than-ideal finishes.
Elliott, aware of the impact the incident had on both his and Blaney’s standings, spoke out about the situation this week. In an interview with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, Elliott expressed his regret over how things unfolded. “Yeah for sure. Obviously, I hate, hate that it ended up the way it did and hate it messed up Ryan’s day too,” Elliott explained. “But we were all packing it off in the corner trying to get around there to have a better finish, you know? Like I told him, I hated it, certainly was not my intent, and unfortunately messed both of our days up.”
The Fallout: What It Means for the Championship
The incident at Michigan was not just a minor mishap—it had significant implications for both drivers as the regular season championship looms. Elliott, who is trailing Tyler Reddick by just 10 points, admitted that his focus was entirely on finishing as high as possible. “I was just trying to finish the best I could,” Elliott continued. “We were, what, like sixth, seventh? Somewhere right in there. So, I’m not sure that would have gotten you to a top five or anything, but certainly, everything matters as you’re coming down the stretch. Just trying to, trying to get the best result that I could and ended up making it worse by a bunch.”
With only two races left in the regular season, every point is crucial. Elliott’s 10-point deficit to Reddick can easily be overcome in a single stage, but he will need to be at his best to close that gap. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson, who trails Reddick by 32 points, is also within striking distance, making the battle for the regular season championship even more intense.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Championship
As the season comes to a close, Chase Elliott is focused on delivering two strong performances to secure his position in the championship race. Daytona and Darlington will be critical, not just for Elliott, but for all the top contenders. Tyler Reddick, who has been on a phenomenal run this season, will not make it easy for anyone to catch up. His worst finish in the last 11 races was P22 at Iowa, and even in his second-worst finish, he still led the most laps at Sonoma.
For Elliott, the challenge is clear: he must perform at his highest level to overcome Reddick’s lead and fend off Larson’s challenge. The Michigan incident may have been a setback, but it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of NASCAR and the importance of every single lap.
As Elliott gears up for the final races of the regular season, fans will be watching closely to see if he can turn the tide and claim the regular season championship. One thing is certain—Chase Elliott is not backing down from the fight, and the road to the championship is far from over.
