By Sunday 
A Familiar Comeback Story for Elliott at COTA
Chase Elliott nearly pulled off an incredible comeback at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) after a reckless move by Ross Chastain sent him spinning to the back of the field. The incident, which occurred on the very first lap, knocked Elliott from third to last place, but he fought his way back into contention, reminding fans of his legendary 2019 Charlotte Roval comeback.
Ross Chastain’s Aggressive Move Backfires
Ross Chastain, known for his all-or-nothing driving style, made an ill-advised divebomb move at turn one, hoping to seize the lead immediately. However, the attempt had virtually no chance of success and instead sent Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet into a spin, ruining what had been a promising start for the Hendrick Motorsports driver.
Elliott’s frustration was evident over the radio, with heated exchanges between him and his team, vowing payback against Chastain—who has built a reputation for aggressive driving tactics. However, instead of letting emotions take over, Elliott channeled his energy into an incredible drive through the field.
Déjà Vu from the Charlotte Roval Comeback
The race at COTA had striking similarities to Elliott’s unforgettable performance at the Charlotte Roval in 2019. In that race, Elliott was dominating before making a costly mistake, sending himself into the turn-one barrier. Despite dropping to 31st place, he miraculously fought back to claim victory, making it one of the most memorable comebacks in NASCAR history.
While Elliott didn’t quite complete the comeback at COTA, he came close. After pitting for repairs, he steadily climbed through the field, securing a fifth-place finish in Stage 1. As the race progressed, he hovered around the top 20 before making a strategic pit stop late in the race. With fresh tires, he continued picking off cars, ultimately finishing fourth.
Could Elliott Have Won With More Laps?
By the final laps, Elliott was one of the fastest drivers on the track, cutting into the leaders’ time with every turn. Had there been a late caution or just a few extra laps, he might have had a legitimate shot at victory.
Ultimately, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell took the win, with William Byron and Tyler Reddick rounding out the top three. Elliott finished just behind them in fourth, proving once again that he is one of NASCAR’s best road course racers—even if all of his seven career road course wins came in the previous generation of cars.
Looking Ahead: Can Elliott Carry Momentum Into Phoenix?
While a victory slipped through his fingers, Elliott’s performance at COTA was a testament to his skill and resilience. His strong finish puts him in a good position heading into the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 9.
As for Chastain, his aggressive move didn’t pay off—he finished 12th, well behind Elliott. The two will likely cross paths again, and fans will be watching closely to see if Elliott makes good on his promise of payback.
NASCAR fans won’t want to miss the action at Phoenix Raceway. The race is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET.