Chase Elliott has not had the most fantastic run over the last year or so, that has been pretty obvious. After missing 6 races early in 2023 to a broken leg following a skiing accident and then his suspension following Charlotte after intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin, Elliot has been winless since the Talladega fall race in 2022. 41 races.

You have to go back to Daytona on August 26th of 2023 to find Chase’s last top 5 finish, and that’s what surprises most. Chase races for the most dominant team in NASCAR history, scoring 7 top 5s and 15 top 10s in 2023, its a surprise that Chase has not been able to do much better.

Prior to last night’s Toyota Owners 400, Elliott only had a single Top 10 finish at Bristol where he finished 8th. He has the 5th highest average running position at a 12.64, but you have to go to 18th on the list to find Chase in terms of laps led at 23.

Last night’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond was a breath of fresh air to Elliott nation however where he was finally able to break his streak without a top 5. Chase led lap 1 but was unable to return to the front but was able to score 4 Stage Points in Stage 1 with a 7th place finish. Elliott’s day was not spectacular, but his final finishing spot and an average running position in the top 10 was worth it to many of the Elliott faithful as a sign of things to come.

Image sourced via Hendrick Motorsports X Account