The 2023 NASCAR season has been a fairly difficult one for Chase Elliott, and things continue to be tough ahead of this week's Cook Out 400 at Richmond. The popular driver has missed time with both a broken leg and a suspension this year.
The young star has failed to find victory lane in 2023. He currently stands just 21st in the NASCAR Cup Series Points Standings and 56 points back of the Playoff cutoff.
The No. 9 team driver will need to make a strong push to qualify for the NASCAR Playoffs, but he's already ran into pre-race inspection complications at Richmond. Did Chase Elliott's car fail multiple inspections? What is Chase Elliott's starting position and outlook in the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond on Sunday, July 30th, 2023?
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Did Chase Elliot's Car Fail NASCAR Inspection at Richmond?
Chase Elliott's No. 9 Chevrolet failed multiple pre-race inspections at Richmond on Saturday. Elliott's car did pass inspection on the third try and he will be allowed to race in the upcoming Cook Out 400. However, the NASCAR star will be penalized due to the car's two failures. RACERMag's Kelly Crandall reports he will be without No. 9 car chief Matt Barndt and lose pit-stall selection for Sunday's race.
The cars of Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, and Justin Haley failed inspection twice at Richmond Raceway. All three teams had their car chiefs ejected and they lose pit stall selection
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) July 29, 2023
What Is Chase Elliott's Starting Position at Richmond?
Despite the inspection setbacks, Elliott looked like a driver that knows it is getting late fast for his playoff chances. The No. 9 is nearing must-win territory and Richmond has been kind the second time around for the Hendrick Motorsports Racing driver. Also, Elliott has three straight top-five results on the 0.75-mile short track. After a strong run in qualifying, the No. 9 car will be starting fourth on Sunday for the Cook Out 400...his best starting spot of the season.
Elliott has never won at Richmond but did finish second in 2018. Short tracks have been a mixed bag and the former Cup champion is still 56 points out of this year's playoffs. His best qualifying effort of the season indicates the matter of urgency at hand for Elliott.
Chase Elliott claims his best starting spot of the season.https://t.co/nNXz6i54QH
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) July 29, 2023