The 2025 NASCAR season witnessed a performance for the ages, yet it went largely unnoticed. It was none other than Chase Elliott who, after a disastrous start at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) race, made an astounding comeback from the back of the pack. This masterstroke was only recognized by NASCAR legend, Richard Petty, who contemplated the possibility of an Elliott victory had he not encountered an early crash.
Elliott found himself in a tight spot right from the start, having suffered significant damage due to a spin in Turn 1. Despite this setback, the road course maestro made a spectacular recovery, clawing his way up to an impressive fourth-place finish. Richard Petty, along with his former crew chief Dale Inman, recognized this performance as a standout drive of the season, raising the question of whether spectators and commentators overlooked a road course masterstroke unfolding in real time.
Petty, during the Petty Family Racing podcast, highlighted Elliott’s grit and determination to fight his way through the pack from the very back. He acknowledged Elliott’s remarkable road course skills that enabled him to secure seven road course victories, a feat unrivaled by any active driver. However, the question remains, why was Elliott forced to start from the end?
Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing was the culprit, who, in his ambitious dive into Turn 1 during the first lap, ended up slamming into Elliott’s rear. The collision resulted in a damaged suspension for Elliott, a critical impairment given the precision required on road courses. However, the Hendrick Motorsports team made a crucial mid-race repair decision to fix the toe link, in an effort to stabilize and salvage Elliott’s race.
Alan Gustafson, Elliott’s crew chief, confirmed the damage and described the repairs as a gamble due to the fast-paced nature of NASCAR where time on pit road could be detrimental. Despite the risk, the decision proved fruitful, allowing Elliott to continue his fight to the finish line. Petty lauded Elliott’s remarkable comeback, arguing that his achievement deserved more praise.
Inman also echoed Petty’s sentiments, expressing admiration for Elliott’s recovery on a road course. His capable navigation and precise overtakes, even with a compromised car, demonstrated why he is among the top road course racers in NASCAR. Elliott’s skillful handling of the car, despite the alignment issues, was particularly commendable.
However, the incident with Chastain left a sour taste for Elliott and his team. After the collision, Gustafson reassured Elliott over the radio that the incident wasn’t his fault, promising to hit back at Chastain when the opportunity arises. Elliott agreed, expressing a desire for retribution provided he was not at fault.
Chastain’s race didn’t improve after the incident, and he incurred a pit road penalty at the end of Stage 1. He later gave way to Elliott to avoid being wrecked himself but refrained from commenting after the race.
The incident reignited debates about Chastain’s aggressive driving style. Denny Hamlin, known for his criticism of Chastain, surprisingly defended him, attributing the collision to the notoriously tight Turn 1 at COTA rather than Chastain’s recklessness. This unexpected defense added a new perspective to the ongoing discussion.
With this incident still fresh, speculations are rife about a potential retaliation by Elliott in the upcoming Phoenix race. Whether this incident will lead to a shift in perspectives towards Chastain’s driving style, or if it was a rare display of objectivity by Hamlin, remains to be seen.