What’s Happening?

Yesterday, we asked Chase Elliott fans whether or not it is time to panic after a shaky start to the 2024 season. It’s safe to say that fans were split on whether or not it was time to panic. Here are some of the top responses.

If you're a Chase Elliott fan, are you panicking?

We weigh both sides to his 2024: https://t.co/YQwOVEosht pic.twitter.com/rISydt5YgV

— The Daily Downforce (@dailydownforce) March 4, 2024

• Chase Elliott is 7th in points currently, but he is the only Hendrick Motorsports driver to not record a top-10 finish. Two of his teammates have already won races this season. This is a worrying trend that began in 2023.
• However, the season is still only three races old. Elliott also has some tracks coming up that he has had success at, so, there is at least some reason for optimism.
• Fans were split on whether or not they were worried about Elliott. Some believe that it is too early in the season, but, others are worried because of recent trends.

Yes, Fans are Panicking/Worried

Brokedad is beginning to worry about Elliott. Brokedad goes as far back as the 2022 Playoffs. Elliott actually had 3 top-10s in the final 10 races of 2022. However, the point still has merit either way. He even goes so far as to suggest that Elliott needs to change race teams.

Tammra Kennedy does not want to worry, but, the recent performance is concerning her. She also notes how Elliott struggled to hold off Spire Motorsports cars during the race. Will this trend continue?

Eric Jolly had previously committed to waiting until the Coca-Cola 600, but, he is not panicking. Coincidentally, Elliott’s season took a bad turn at the 2023 Coca-Cola 600, when he intentionally wrecked Denny Hamlin. Elliott was suspended as a result.

Ohc4 says that Elliott and the #9 team have been struggling since the end of 2022. Elliott did make the Championship 4 in 2022, but, he only had three top-10s in the Playoffs. Regardless, 2023 was obviously a wash of a year for Elliott.

Brian Price believes that Elliott is now just a “Cash cow” since he signed the 5-year contract in 2022. Elliott did make the Championship 4 in 2022, so, he was far from just a “Cash Cow” that year. It’s still too early to make this intense of an accusation.

No, Not Quite Yet

Justin Walls is not panicking, because he has grown some perseverance being a Jimmie Johnson fan during the twilight of his career. While this does give fans some reason to stick with Elliott, I doubt this will make Elliott’s car go any faster.

MzVicky feels it is way too early to panic. The season is only three races old, and Elliott does have some solid tracks including COTA and Martinsville on the upcoming schedule.

Drew Halloran is waiting until Elliott’s better race tracks pass by on the schedule. If Elliott continues to struggle, then it is time for fans to panic.

Mickey Logano’s timeline is 10 races. If Elliott continues to underwhelm throughout that stretch, then concern and panic set in. The 10th race of the season is on April 23rd at Talladega, so, that’s the cutoff for this fan.

wvwraith is looking as far as July as the time to panic. He points to Jimmie Johnson as an example. In 2008, Johnson was outside of the top 10 in points after five races, and he went on to win the Championship that season.

Mason McRoberts is ultimately optimistic but still unsure. He is optimistic about the speed Elliott showed on superspeedways, but, the Vegas race and other aspects have him concerned. Ultimately, however, he seems to believe Elliott will find his footing. Will it happen?

(2/2) Chase knows he has to be better on restarts and Alan also has to be better with the set up in the car. It’s a long season, anyone can get hot at anytime. Just needs that one thing to make it all click. I think it will happen, the guys at HMS make the big bucks for a reason.

— Mason McRoberts (@mason_mcroberts) March 5, 2024

Will Chase Elliott turn it around? It will be interesting to see if he does, but some fans are already panicking.

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Is it Time to PANIC for Chase Elliott Fans?