'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Ahead of the NASCAR Cup race at Talladega, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott shared insights into his approach and strategy to avoid wrecks while racing in the final laps.
Cup drivers put on an exhilarating show in the final laps at drafting tracks, switching lanes and blocking momentum while racing for the lead. However, more often than not, these ambitious moves end up triggering the 'Big one', wrecking half the field.
Chase Elliott was questioned about his approach in the final laps, on whether he races for the checkered flag, or anticipates a wreck and positions himself accordingly ahead of the Cup race at Talladega. Elliott replied that it was a very tough question to answer but emphasized that he always hopes for a checkered flag finish.
"That's a $64 question, I don't know. For me personally I look at it like it's going to go to the finish, and try to position yourself where you wanna be when you get back to the start finish line. That's a really hard thing to guess, when a wreck is going to happen, if it's going to happen," Elliott told Bob Pockrass.
The #9 Hendrick Motorsports driver highlighted Ryan Blaney's draft racing prowess and claimed that the reigning champion would be better equipped to answer the question, given his ability to wind up in race-winning positions.
"Ask Blaney, because I feel like he's won about the last 15 races here and should have won about 14 Daytona 500s. So whatever he does I feel like is the right thing. I look at it like we are coming back to the checkered flag if I'm in the mix," he added
Elliott concluded that he tries to avoid the wrecks by trying to run up front in the final laps.
Ryan Blaney answers the question posed to Chase Elliott
The reigning NASCAR Cup champion similarly struggled to offer a definitive response to the question Chase Elliott passed on to him. Blaney found it difficult to answer as he contrasted his struggles at Daytona to his success at Talladega.
Ryan Blaney highlighted that a combination of good strategy, communication, and fortune have helped him secure race-winning positions at drafting tracks.
"I have always tried to stay in the game, and just be in the position to try to capitalize at the end of the race...It's just good fortune, good strategy, good communication to try to find yourself up here," Blaney told Pockrass.
Chase Elliott lines up on the fifth row and Ryan Blaney is in the 11th row for the GEICO 500, scheduled this Sunday, April 21, at 3:00 PM ET.
