Chase Elliott is the winner of NASCAR’s fall race in Dover.
Elliott took the checkered flag in yesterday’s Monster Energy Series “Gander Outdoors 400” at Dover International Speedway.
The win comes a year after Elliott suffered heartbreak on the Monster Mile, losing a lead there with just two laps to go.
"It certainly didn’t come easy today. And so glad we could get a win," said Elliott. "Last fall was such a tough race for me. As I’ve said to a bunch of people, it was probably the toughest day of my career. Just be able to come back and put those things behind you and prove that you belong is very gratifying."
Elliott’s victory in the first race of the NASCAR Championship Playoffs Round of 12 assures him a spot in the Round of 8. That’s good news for Elliott, who started the day on the outside looking in, sitting in 9th place in the standings.
He’s now first, with Kevin Harvick second and Kyle Busch third. But Elliott says it’s no time to let up.
"It’s nice to know you’re going to move on, but you can’t get complacent you are moving on," said Elliot. "You can’t just let those points sit out there and not try to go get ‘em. Those bonus points you get for winning a stage or winning a race, that’s huge. You need as many as you can get. One or two points could be the difference in you making the Round of 4 or not.”
The win is the second of Elliott’s career and his first on Dover’s Monster Mile.
The NASCAR playoffs continue next Sunday at Talladega.
