Chase Elliott out at Vegas due to snowboarding injury; will undergo surgery

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 05: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 05, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

A snowboarding incident will keep NASCAR Cup series star Chase Elliott out of the racecar this weekend, and perhaps for the foreseeable future.

Hendrick Motorsports announced the news late Friday that the 2020 Cup Series champion suffered the injury to his left leg Friday while snowboarding in Colorado. He is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday evening.

Josh Berry, 32, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports,  will fill in for Elliott in Sunday’s event at Las Vegas.

“Chase’s health is our primary concern,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “He’s spoken with several members of our team and is understandably disappointed to miss time in the car. Of course, he has our full support, and we’ll provide any resources he needs. We hope to share another update later this weekend.”

Elliott, a five-time NASCAR Cup Series most popular driver finished second last Sunday at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

Greg Engle