“People have families”: Chase Elliott presses on importance of NASCAR taking a two-week break after Brickyard 400

Chase Elliott recently spoke about NASCAR's two-week break after this Sunday's race at IMS. This year the sport will go on a mid-season break because of the Olympics in Paris. And as per the sport's most popular driver, The break is necessary for everyone to get time to relax.

Ahead of NASCAR's return to the oval layout of the IMS with the Brickyard 400, Elliott was asked about the importance of the upcoming break. He had this to say:

"I think it’s extremely important. You know, so often I think we forget about that and just how much of a grind it is for everybody. For you guys, this is a long time on the road. I’m sure everybody is looking forward to a couple of weeks of not having to travel on Thursday or Friday, and getting home late Sunday night and being tired all day Monday. It can certainly wear on you. People have families, they have homes and things to tend to, and certainly I think we all recognize the responsibility when we sign up to come do this." [6:15]

The Hendrick Motorsports driver added that it would do everyone good to have a mental and physical reset in the upcoming weeks.

Elliott predicted that after the break, the headspace of people would be "really good", adding that the happier one is inside the garage, the healthier NASCAR is.

"I think that ultimately, it’s good. I also believe that less is more, from a scheduling perspective. I think the more that we spend time away from the racetrack, the hungrier our fans are to have us come back. I think you see that with football and some other sports that have a little bit longer break. When it comes back, you’re fired up for it more," he added.

Elliott emphasized that it is important for everyone to have a break, hit the reset button, and get ready for the second half.

When the season starts again at Richmond on August 11, Elliott will be hoping to win the regular season championship.

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HMS wants Chase Elliott to all-in against Kyle Larson in regular season championship battle

Heading into the race before the Olympics break, Chase Elliott is at the top of the standings for the regular season championship. Sitting only 3 points behind him is his HMS teammate Kyle Larson.

But despite the two teammates being in the hunt for the championship and so close in the standings, their team doesn't want either to pull punches when it matters.

Recently, Jeff Gordon shared his thoughts on this subject:

"I think it’s pretty clear at Hendrick how we expect teams and drivers to race against one another and how they’ve got to go and compete not only against their competitors but against one another," Gordon said.

Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, added that both Elliott and Larson fully understand what's expected from them.

Gordon did add that the two Cup champions, while being encouraged to race hard, should come out of those races "in one piece."