NASCAR CUP SERIES: BLUE-EMU MAXIMUM PAIN RELIEF 500

April 11, 2021

Chase Elliott

Press Conference

Martinsville Speedway

An Interview with:

THE MODERATOR: We are joined now by today's runner-up, Chase Elliott.

Chase, walk us through your second-place finish today.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, really, really hard-fought second actually for us. We were not great, but had some, I guess our strong suit was kind of early on in the run, then really faded hard, too hard there latter part of a run.

But we never got one of those super long runs, which is probably a good thing for us because we were struggling on that end. But, yeah, proud we could fight back. We had a long day with strategy not going our way, restart lane choice at times was tough. I'm glad we were able to get back in the fight there and give ourselves a chance.

THE MODERATOR: We're going to open the floor for questions.

Q. Chase, does this do anything for you for October when you look ahead, this being such a pivotal race?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think this is an important race. They're all important, but for sure, when you get down to that Round of 8, if you're still alive in that deal, a win at any of those tracks gives you an opportunity. Of course, definitely.

As long as it's where it's at in the final 10, it will always be an important race.

Q. You just said on FOX Sports, you described this as an eventful year so far. How challenging has the season been for you guys so far, now being your third top five of the year after coming off a championship?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, like I said, every week I feel like it's been one thing or another, a bad run or just whatever. Just nice to have just a smooth day, no damage. We didn't break anything. Everything was just smooth. It was uneventful. That's the days you have to have to compete for wins ultimately. Some of that is in your hands, some of it's not.

Truly nice to have an uneventful day, so to speak, just get a solid finish. Got some solid stage points. It was definitely a step in the right direction for us.

Q. With today's solid performance, Truex gets his second win of the season, how important is it going to be moving forward to get multiple wins? Do you think kind of where we're at in points, what you've got right now, is going to be okay? Is it still pivotal to get multiples?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I definitely think winning is a crucial part to the Playoffs. It doesn't guarantee you as you go along. It sure does hedge your bet and having a successful Playoff run if you have wins in the bank.

I want to be on that side of the fence when that rolls around rather than in the opposite position.

Q. What do you feel you were missing there at the end in relation to the Joe Gibbs Racing duo?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Just rear grip for me was kind of the story of my day. That was also the problem there at the end. Just didn't have the drive I needed to get up off the corner like I wanted and to be able to really get the power down early.

Yeah, solid day, but just came up short.

Q. Can you talk about the rocky start you've had to the season? How much momentum and confidence does this give you towards Richmond and beyond?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Like I said earlier, just nice to have an uneventful day, so to speak. Just have some nice stage points, have a nice finish, those things are always nice. I feel like we had a mistake-free day, which is what you have to have, so it was good.

THE MODERATOR: Thanks for joining us, Chase. Good luck at Richmond.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Cool. Thanks.