NASCAR Insider heaps praise on Chase Elliott, names Hendrick Motorsports a certain threat going into championship 4

NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck discussed Chase Elliott's performance so far this season. He feels that Elliott could be a threat in the championship battle.

2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott reserved his spot in the playoffs after winning at Texas this season. However, that remains to be his only win so far. Despite finishing within the top 5 multiple times, the #9 Chevrolet driver is yet to add another victory to his bag this season.

While discussing his performance on The Teardown podcast, Jeff Gluck mentioned that Elliott has not been performing to his maximum potential. Despite his position in the playoffs, Gluck feels Elliott needs to have better finishes.

"I think he has three top 10 and four starts here to open the playoffs all except for Watkins Glenn," Gluck said. "He was eighth at Atlanta, second at Bristol, and ninth today. But you know you look at the points and you're like 'well you know, I guess they're all right,' but he's only plus four. So that's another mysterious one to me where you keep sort of thinking they're gonna be okay and they're gonna hit on something and he's gonna have this breakout race."

At the same time, Gluck feels that the #9 Chevy could be in the final four battle for the Cup Series championship, referring to him as a "threat."

"He’s certainly a threat, but am I going to be like ‘Oh year, he’s going to the final four. Oh, Chase Elliott.’ There’s very few people I can say that about at this point," he said.

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Chase Elliott finishes Kansas in P9 after starting from the back of the grid

The #9 Chevy looked promising during the practice session for the 2024 Hollywood Casino 400 in Kansas. However, after setting the 15th fastest lap during the session, the car faced engine troubles.

The crew worked on the car for a long time before sending it out for the qualifying session. However, Chase Elliott could only clock in a 166.950 mph and was set to start the 400-mile race from the back of the grid.

"We went through all the things that you can check on pit road," said Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion. "Obviously, when you have an engine issue like that, it can be difficult to identify what exactly is broke," Elliott said while reviewing his disappointing qualifying session.

Despite the difficult start to the race, the 28-year-old's consistent driving during the race helped him reach the top 10. He placed ninth in both the second stage and the final standings. He is currently +4 in the playoffs standings.