Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway had a controversial ending. Both Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, who finished in first and second place respectively, were disqualified for failing post-race inspections.
That resulted in ultimate third-place finisher Chase Elliott (seen at left above with crew chief Alan Gustafson) ultimately taking home the victory at the M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400.
This type of finish is something that is a rarity in racing. The last instance of a first-place finisher failing their post-race inspection and being disqualified took place in 2017 with Joey Logano.
Winning by a technicality in any sport is always a weird situation, and it was stranger still for Elliott considering how he learned of his victory. On Monday, Elliott discussed the race with reporters via a virtual press conference, and revealed he only learned he won after his plane landed.
.@ChaseElliott was flying home with his dad and didn't have any cell service until he landed. He was surprised to hear the news of the Hamlin/Busch disqualifications, but he doesn't want to win that way and is still more thinking about what he could have done better in the race.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 25, 2022
Fox Sports NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass posted videos of some clips from Elliott’s availability, including one with Elliott saying that as far as he is concerned, Hamlin can keep the trophy for finishing in first place before the disqualification.
How will Chase Elliott go about getting the trophy from Denny Hamlin? They do have the same agent so I thought maybe he could be the courier. But doesn’t sound like Elliott is interested in asking Hamlin for it. Elliott: “If he wants to keep it, he can keep it.” pic.twitter.com/ZwHRHRYhra
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 25, 2022
“Honestly, if he wants to keep it, he can keep it as far as I’m concerned,” said Elliott. “He crossed the finish line first, so I haven’t really thought about that. I don’t really feel like I earned it on the track yesterday, so if he wants to keep it I’m good with that.”
While it is always nice to get a victory, it looks like Elliott isn’t exactly celebrating following the race. He added that he doesn’t feel like he earned the result he was given.
“I don’t know that this is exactly a win that I am going to celebrate. I don’t really feel right celebrating someone else’s misfortune. It’s not something that I’m proud of or going to boast about. I thought we were real fortunate to even run third, to be honest with you. No racer driver wants to win like that.”
Will Chase Elliott wait until any JGR appeal is heard before celebrating his victory from Sunday? Elliott: “It’s not necessarily something I’m proud of or something I’m going to boast about.” pic.twitter.com/iF2eIgTtS3
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 25, 2022
It remains to be seen whether Joe Gibbs Racing will look to appeal this decision so that Hamlin will get his victory. But for the time being, Elliott is the winner of the race, whether he feels that he deserves it or not.
[Bob Pockrass on Twitter; photo from Matthew O’Haren/USA Today Sports]
