“Either win and you’re in or…”: Chase Elliott is up for the challenge to qualify for the NASCAR playoffs this season

2022 NASCAR Cup Series regular season champion Chase Elliott is back on the racetrack with a point to prove. The Hendrick Motorsports driver missed six Cup races after being sidelined for six weeks with a broken leg suffered in a snowboarding accident on March 3.

Elliott marked his return last weekend with a P10 finish at the NOCO 400 at Martinsville Speedway. That result gave the #9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driver 27 points, taking his regular-season tally to 76.

While the Dawsonville, Georgia native was content with his performance on the 0.5-mile-long track, he is 32nd in the standings - 226 points behind leader Christopher Bell - and is aware of the amount of work that needs to be done to secure a spot in the playoffs.

However, having missed out on the ultimate prize last season, Elliott seems to be relishing the challenge of qualifying for the playoffs this season. The 27-year-old has received a waiver to qualify for the playoffs, but will still need to win at least one race.

Elaborating on the challenges that lie in front of him, Elliott said in a recent interview with notable NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass:

"It's kind of unique and kind of fun. Either win and you're in or don't and you fail so I kind of like it."

Watch Elliott drive his #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this Sunday during GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

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Chase Elliott elaborates on his performance at Martinsville Speedway

The NOCO 400 at Martinsville Speedway saw Chase Elliot manage a P10 finish. Speaking after the 400-lap-long event, Elliott touched upon how he felt behind the wheel of a NASCAR Cup Series car after his six-week hiatus.

He said:

"It was about what I expected, so that was a good thing. It was warm and I've been sitting on the couch for six weeks so I think that probably hurt me more than anything. We struggled really bad in every run but the last one. We finally got it going in the end there and I as able to make some passes."

Elliott suffered a broken tibia in his left leg in a snowboarding accident in Colorado. However, he recently stated that he will continue his off-track activities as he feels it's important to "enjoy your life" and "give your mind a rest" from racing.

Elliott returns this weekend to compete at Talladega Superspeedway, kicking off a swing of high-speed venues upcoming in the season. GEICO 500 goes live on April 23, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET on FS1.