Chase Elliott finished 2nd, again

Chase Elliott has finished 2nd, 7 times

In 2017, Chase Elliott has 5 runner-up finishes. He finished 2nd at Michigan, Chicago, Dover, Charlotte and Phoenix. In 2016 he also finished 2nd at Michigan, twice.

He’s now a 7-time runner up finisher. Yet, Chase Elliott has zero wins in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Yesterday, he nearly claimed his first. Matt Kenseth passed him in the closing laps. Kenseth went on to, ash he stated, “strike one for the old guys.”

Chase Elliott
Post Phoenix Interview

“I tried with everything I had and it wasn’t enough,” Chase Elliott stated from the Phoenix Raceway media center. “I felt like I gave my 110% today.”

Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin at Phoneix International Raceway
AVONDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 12: Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 Hooters Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 12, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

“Although, very disappointed. You know, again, to be so dang close to winning and having a chance to race for a championship,” Elliott comments while shaking his head in frustration.”

Hopefully it will make me a better person

-Chase Elliott

“Learning the hard way I guess. Hopefully it will make me a better person and make us better down the road.”

What happened?

Chase Elliott disappeared into the distance on that final run. It looked like he was cruising to victory and to Homestead.

“I felt like our car turned the middle really good, on the short runs. I felt like I just had to park it in the center, after a few laps.”

“It just kept getting worse and worse. I had to over-slow the corner. Just left myself really vulnerable to getting passed.”

“I just tried to get as big a gap as I could possibly get to keep him back there. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough. I got really tight off [turn] 2 there and gave away my gap.”

“After that, it was just hard to get him off my bumper. Once he was there.”

“At some point, I gotta figure out how to close better. I take responsibility for that.”

Related: Phoenix race results – November 12, 2017

Related: Matt Kenseth comments on win in final season

Related: Chase Elliott vs Denny Hamlin at Phoenix (video)

Links

Chase Elliott | Phoenix Raceway | NASCAR

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