With a win at Martinsville on Sunday, NASCAR driver Chase Elliott is heading to the Championship 4 for the first time in his career.
Elliott led all drivers with a race-high 236 laps. He won the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville to secure a shot at the title next week at Phoenix.
“Biggest win ever for us,” Elliott said to NBC after getting out of the car. “Couldn’t ask for a better night. It’s just unreal.”
The official NASCAR Twitter account sent out a tweet after Elliott’s win.
“CHECKERED FLAG: A win, and a shot at a championship! @chaseelliott WINS the #Xfinity500 at @MartinsvilleSwy and locks himself into the #Championship4!”
Elliott almost saw his championship aspirations come to a halt in the Final Stage after NASCAR issued a penalty for a crew member over the wall too soon. The team quickly appealed the penalty and saw it reversed.
NASCAR went on to explain their decision to media members. They said that the crew member in question “re-established his position back to the service wall prior to servicing the penalty.”
Martin Truex Jr, was the favorite to win and was dominant for a good portion of the race. He led for 129 laps and was leading with less than 50 laps to go. Shortly after surrendering the lead to Elliott, Truex reported a loose wheel. He was able to keep the car on track for about 12 more laps before ultimately needing to pit. That put him behind by multiple laps and ended his chances of making the Championship 4.
Elliott joins Joey Logano as drivers to win their way into the Championship 4 this season. Meanwhile, drivers Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski both advanced on merit. Regular season champion Kevin Harvick stunningly fell short after a disappointing showing on Sunday. The disappointing race comes partly due to a flat tire he suffered in Stage 2.
Kurt Busch finished fifth but ultimately was not able to advance.
Chase Elliott Wins, Twitter Goes Off
Fans on Twitter went crazy after Elliott’s win at Martinsville.
Elliott sent out a tweet after the race promoting his Martinsville Race win gear.
In a tradition as old as the Elliott family being in NASCAR, the Dawsonville Pool Room sounds their siren every time the local Elliott comes away with a victory.
Meanwhile, Elliott’s fans were quick to offer him a congratulatory message on Twitter.
“Great race!! That was impressive to watch! Even when you ‘didn’t know’ about the car you kept on di9ging!”
Great race!! That was impressive to watch! Even when you “didn’t know” about the car you kept on di9ging!
— Lauren Hetrick (@LaurenLollyLove) November 2, 2020
Another fan shared his excitement over the win.
“Send it!!!!!” he wrote.
Send it !!!!! pic.twitter.com/kDugt6mwLP
— Matt H (@mattH03214591) November 2, 2020
However, some fans criticized the championship format and thought that Kevin Harvick didn’t get a fair shot at a championship appearance.
“NASCAR screwed Harvick from a championship chance with this s—– format.”
NASCAR screwed Harvick from a championship chance with this shitty format
— TJ Tomesco (@TjTomesco) November 1, 2020
Another fan tweeted his frustrations.
This championship format is a f*cking joke.
— smitty werbenjagermanBenson (@ben_Sunn) November 1, 2020
