2020 champion Chase Elliott is the only driver at Hendrick Motorsports to yet win a race this season.
HMS as a team are having a very good season until now, with four wins in the first eight races of the 2021 Cup Series season. Kyle Larson was the first driver to get them a win, followed by Alex Bowman and then two wins from William Byron.
It must be hard for Elliott to take the fact that he is the only driver yet chasing his first win of the season. Relating his own experience to that of Elliott’s, HM legend Steve Letarte said that losing to a teammate is more hurting than being beaten by other drivers.
“It hurts. It hurts when your teammate beats you,” Letarte said. “I was beaten by Jimmie Johnson countless times, I know. It hurts less when someone else beats you because you think they might have something you don’t.”
On the @NASCARonNBC Podcast, @SteveLetarte analyzed where things are for @chaseelliott and Alan Gustafson after leading 185 laps in a 10th at Martinsville, more than a year since their last oval win.
Here’s a clip (full pod audio https://t.co/oLl69GOwp9): pic.twitter.com/qleZ3piusj
— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) April 14, 2022
When will NASCAR race again on the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway following the track’s return to racing?
Letarte added that Elliott and his crew chief Alan Gustafson will need to have “tough conversations” about this matter as more questions will arise about Elliott’s form in the coming days.
“The (No.) 9 car is a real conversation that, I’m not saying Alan and Chase have to have, but he’s gonna have to start answering these questions in the media. And the good media members are gonna ask those questions whether it upsets Chase or not.” Letarte said.
“So I just think as long as Chase and Alan can have those tough conversations together, they’re gonna be fine. And knowing Alan, they’re willing to.”
While in terms of wins, Elliott might be having a bad season but he still tops the NASCAR standings. He led most of the race at Martinsville but came short in the final stages.