ATLANTA — NASCAR fans are still reeling after a chaotic finish at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, but the real storm may just be starting for fan-favorite Chase Elliott. What began as a controversial move on the final lap has erupted into a full-blown scandal, with several fellow drivers publicly calling out Elliott’s actions — and demanding consequences.
The drama unfolded in the closing seconds of the Quaker State 400. Elliott, who had been battling fiercely in the top five, made a bold — some say reckless — block coming out of Turn 4. The maneuver forced Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney to slam on their brakes, nearly triggering a multi-car pileup. Though Elliott managed to cross the line in second, his move didn’t go unnoticed in the garage area.
“He just doesn’t respect anyone else out there,” Kyle Busch told reporters afterward. “It’s always about him. You can’t win a race by putting lives at risk.”
Denny Hamlin echoed those sentiments in a post-race interview, stating, “Chase Elliott’s move was beyond aggressive. It was dangerous. This isn’t go-kart racing — we’re driving 180 mph with inches to spare.”
But the harshest criticism came from veteran driver Joey Logano, who shocked fans with a blunt accusation: “He’s trying to make up for a rough season by doing whatever it takes — even if that means wrecking someone else. NASCAR better step in.”
The situation intensified when Bubba Wallace added fuel to the fire, tweeting: “There’s a difference between racing hard and racing stupid. That line got crossed in Atlanta.”
Elliott, clearly rattled by the backlash, defended himself in a brief and tense press conference. “I was going for position. We all race hard — I’ve been on the receiving end of worse. I didn’t mean to endanger anyone.”
But the apologies may be too little, too late. NASCAR insiders report that officials are now reviewing the incident closely and may consider penalizing Elliott for violating the league’s safety code — particularly in light of increasing concerns over driver aggression this season.
The controversy also arrives at a bad time for the No. 9 driver. Elliott, who is currently fighting to stay in playoff contention, has already faced a tough season marred by inconsistent finishes and a recent mechanical DNF at New Hampshire. This latest incident could not only damage his reputation but also jeopardize crucial points if penalties are handed down.
Sponsors are also rumored to be watching closely. An anonymous source within NAPA Auto Parts, one of Elliott’s key partners, said they were “monitoring the situation carefully,” hinting that further controversies could strain their relationship.
Meanwhile, fan reaction has been deeply divided. While some defend Elliott’s competitive spirit, others are calling for accountability.
“I love Chase, but that was ugly,” one longtime NASCAR fan wrote on X. “If roles were reversed, fans would be calling for blood.”
As NASCAR prepares to move on to Chicago for the street race next weekend, all eyes remain on what decision the league will make — and whether Chase Elliott can recover from the mounting criticism.
One thing is clear: the fallout from Atlanta may haunt Elliott far longer than the checkered flag.
