HMS' Chase Elliott previews Bristol playoff race with 'perfect storm' of variables

Nineteen-time Cup Series race winner and 2020 Cup champion Chase Elliott shared his thoughts on what to expect in Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The driver of the #9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet expects NASCAR to try and recreate the style of racing seen in the spring Bristol race.

When speaking to NASCAR on FOX reporter Bob Pockrass before Friday's practice session, the Georgia native said that whatever happened in the spring race, which saw massive tire wear throughout the event, things continued to snowball and forced drivers to run much slower around the track. He added that NASCAR was pleased with the results of the excessive tire falloff:

"I do think it was a little bit of a perfect storm. It was a storm that everyone seemed to like, particularly from the competition side at NASCAR.

"I think they're trying to recreate that and until we can get through this practice, I hope that it gives you enough sign of what it's going to be like. Truthfully, that's all you have to go off of, so make the best guess from there."

The racing insider asked NASCAR's six-time Most Popular Driver that after Friday's practice session whether he will know what to expect until 100-200 laps into Saturday's race.

Elliott responded by saying he recalls there were signs in the spring that the tire wear would be different, but no one was alarmed by it until racetime. He added:

"I think that we just all kinda didn't pay as much attention as we probably should have. Typically, when you get going in a race, it kinda fixes itself."

Chase Elliott has never won a points-paying race in 14 starts at the 0.5-mile track but earned the win in the 2020 All-Star Race, the first and only time BMS hosted the event.

The son of NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer Bill Elliott was fifth fastest in Friday's practice and will start Saturday's race from 10th place.

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Chase Elliott holds a 30-point gap over the playoff cut-line

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at the Bristol Motor Speedway is the final race of the Round of 16. Chase Elliott enters Saturday's 500-lap event 30 points above the cutoff to advance to the Round of 12.

After missing much of last season due to a broken leg, Elliott snapped a 42-race winless streak this season at the Texas Motor Speedway in April. The Texas triumph remains the former champion's sole win in 2024. Elliott has posted seven top-fives and a stage win as well.

Chase Elliott is seeking his second Cup championship in 2024 after claiming his first in 2020. He made it back to the Championship 4 race in 2021 and 2022 but was unsuccessful in capturing the titles.