"I don't think Chase Elliott got a fair shot" - NASCAR fans debate over HMS drivers' testing time responses

Fans have reacted to Chase Elliott and other Hendrick Motorsports drivers taking part in a reaction test before the race weekend at Watkins Glen International. The drivers made use of a wooden ruler to perform the test.

Team officials dropped the ruler from a certain height while the drivers stood prepared to catch them. Their reaction time was determined by how early they caught the dropping ruler. Kyle Larson emerged as the fastest among the four drivers. His quick reflexes were evident as he caught the dropping ruler sooner than Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman. However, some fans expressed dissatisfaction with the results, as they felt that Elliott was not given a "fair match."

Some fans mentioned that Larson and Bowman held their hands at a higher position, potentially giving them an advantage in catching the dropping ruler.

"IDK... I don't think Chase Elliott was given a fair match.. Look where all the other drivers' hands are when the drop happens... Myself I'm a Kyle Busch fan.. I also like Larson because he's a wheelman, but I don't think Chase got a fair shot... lol," the fan wrote.

@floridaboy_240sx's comment under @teamhendrick's Instagram post

"Chase was the only one who did it properly," felt another.

@_hendrick_motorsports_fan_'s comment under @teamhendrick's Instagram post

"Bowman and Larson cheated with how high they had their hands up lmao shoulda made them start with their hands by their side to make it more interest lmao," opined another.

@allenray3301's comment under @teamhendrick's Instagram post

@claud_iuhh's comment under @teamhendric's Instagram post

At the same time, some appreciated Larson for having the quickest reaction time. One fan even suggested that Larson's quick reflexes are among the reasons he's participating in the NASCAR-Indy500 double next season.

"That is why Kyle is doing the double"

@alexbomleny's comment under @teamhendrick's Instagram post

@david_v8zo6's comment under @teamhendrick's Instagram post

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Chase Elliott reminisces about his first Cup Series win at Watkins Glen

Chase Elliott joined Hendrick Motorsports full-time in 2016 and has remained with the team since. While he showed promise in his early years, his breakthrough came in 2018 at Watkins Glen, where he secured his first Cup Series victory.

Reminiscing about the win, he stated that he would "never forget" the day. Here's what he told NBC:

"The road to this point is what makes the day special. When you are in those moments in the past and when you have those tough days, all those second-place finishes, and missed opportunities, this has been kind of a hard, long road the last couple of years to get to this point...so, gonna enjoy this one. (It'll) be a day I'll never forget," he said.

In 2020, Elliott won his first and only Cup Series championship. His victory in Texas this season secured his place in the playoffs, and he's currently a strong contender. He finished eighth in the opening playoff race at Atlanta.