Unlike Joey Logano, Chase Elliott doesn’t see himself as a clear favorite to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Of course, Elliott is one to play his cards close to the vest, but it does seem strange that the driver who has the most wins in the series to his credit—four—as well as the Regular Season Championship, wouldn’t exude more confidence as the Playoff approaches.
“There’s been too many people good at different times,” Elliott said. “Just because we have (more wins) than other people doesn’t mean other people aren’t capable of winning or having a good day, too.
“You‘ve got to respect the whole field, in my opinion. There’s a lot of really talented drivers, a lot of smart people working at these things.”
Nonetheless, Elliott does have 40 Playoff points, 15 more than second-place Logano, and those points will carry through the Playoff with him, as long as he continues to advance. Though Elliott acknowledges the importance of the Playoff points, he doesn’t feel they constitute a bulletproof insurance policy.
“I honestly don’t think anybody’s safe at any point in time,” Elliott said. “It’s just my honest opinion. I think the way this format is, I think you have to respect this format from week one all the way to week 10.
“I don’t think there’s ever a period of time where you should think anything is taken for granted, and I don’t think any amount of Playoff points is ever safe. The rounds are so short, you could have two bad weeks back-to-back—and you do nothing wrong. And the next thing you know you’re in a position where you have to win the last one.
“That can happen to the guy that’s first in points or the guy that’s last. I don’t think anyone’s safe from that.”
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