Three Hendrick Motorsports drivers are racing for the last two spots in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 and this weekend's showdown at Martinsville Speedway is the cutoff for championship dreams. For William Byron, seven points above the cutoff, and Kyle Larson, seven points below the cutoff, getting into the Championship 4 is possible on points but for Chase Elliott, 43 points below, it's likely a win and you are in situation. "I try hard not to overthink the situation," Elliott said .
"To be candid, we've been in this spot before, so it's not like this is the first time I've been through this or had to experience this. Having done that before and been in this spot, I think that it gives you a little bit of a sense of peace and just kind of knowing how to handle it and knowing that your team can get it done." Elliott, of course, speaks from experience after winning Martinsville in 2020 to advance to the Championship 4 and then capturing the title at Phoenix Raceway that season.
The 2020 Cup Series champion is the only driver to finish inside the Top 10 in all six short track races this season and he has one career win at Martinsville, with six Top 5 and 11 Top 10 finishes in 18 starts. He also has the fifth-best average finish (12.67) at Martinsville Speedway among active Cup Drivers with at least two starts.
Long story short, Elliott knows how to race at Paperclip. Kyle Larson's position is far more advantageous than his teammate Elliott, with Larson being seven points.
