Chase Elliott to Miss Las Vegas Race Due to Leg Injury

Hendrick Motorsports has confirmed that Chase Elliott will miss this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway due to a left leg injury he sustained while skiing in Colorado on Friday. Elliott was scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday night, but the team did not provide additional information about the injury or a recovery timeline.

“Chase’s health is our highest priority,” said the owner of the vehicle, Rick Hendrick. “He has spoken with several members of our staff, and he is understandably upset to miss the car ride. He has our complete support, and we will provide him with any necessary resources. We anticipate providing another update by the end of the weekend.”

On Sunday, Josh Berry, a regular competitor for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will replace Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Chevrolet. Berry will be making her third Cup appearance; her previous two came in 2021 as a replacement driver for Spire Motorsports. In the past two seasons, Berry has won five Xfinity Series races, including the last two fall races at Las Vegas.

“The past few hours have been riveting. “I hope Chase gets better soon so we can get back in the car,” Berry told Fox Sports after finishing sixth in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race. Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, I appreciate your consideration.

Elliott will miss his first race due to injury, breaking a streak of 254 consecutive starts dating back to the start of his rookie season in 2016. He won five races and the regular season championship during the 2022 season before finishing fourth in the final Cup Series standings.

He is the reigning Most Popular Driver and Cup Series champion for 2020. Elliott will miss at least one race, but he will still be qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs if he requests and is granted a medical waiver after returning to competition.