NASCAR’s ‘unfair’ punishment denounced by HMS veteran after Chase Elliott’s exceptional 92-race record ends

Pocono Raceway also delivered on its promise, delivering a NASCAR race that was a real thriller! From emotional driver tributes to controversial penalties, this track gave it all to competitors and spectators alike. While some are celebrating their victory, others aren’t too happy with the outcome.

Right now, the post-race buzz is filled with a mix of emotions from everyone who is still buzzing. Yet NASCAR is starting to see some tempers flare in the pits after penalties were assessed to four drivers in particular, including one who had a long and herculean streak without a penalty! Wow!

Heading into the Pocono race, NASCAR prodigy Chase Elliott had a record that would make even the greatest champions envious: 92 races without a pit lane speeding penalty! It showed his skill and precision in pit lane driving! But like a grain of sand in the wheels, that incredible streak was snapped after the driver went over a tricky section of pit lane (Section 7, to be precise). In the heat of the competition, it seems that Chase, along with a few other drivers, got a little too comfortable and exceeded the speed limit by a hair, resulting in a penalty from NASCAR that may not have eliminated him from the race for the win, but it certainly took away his record before he could even challenge it.

Upon hearing this, Chase Elliott’s crew chief and Hendrick Motorsports veteran Alan Gustafson wasn’t too happy with NASCAR officials. He criticized them and called the designated speed zones “unfair” and even argued that it wasn’t fair that only these top drivers were penalized for something that seemed a little questionable. In an interview, he said: “The areas are all bad. It’s not fair that we’re treated like shit.”

Even the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet was taken aback by the news. Of the penalty, Chase said: “I don’t understand why the rest of the day I was good (in that part). I don’t think I did much different.” I don’t understand why he was flagged when he seemed to have ridden that same section perfectly throughout the race. It’s a real head-scratcher and really feels like a one-sided punishment. Were the drivers really going too fast or was it just bad luck?

Drivers leave Pocono Raceway questioning their driving

This particular area was a problem for most drivers on track and everyone knew it was a sensitive area. Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs and Daniel Suarez join Chase in this penalty purgatory. Although 33 other drivers performed similarly in pit lane, the real blow was only to the four of them! Which was unfair according to many sources and teammates. It’s starting to look a little fishy because Elliott isn’t the only one confused by NASCAR’s verdict.

Teammate Kyle Larson also spoke out about the penalty. He said he wasn’t sure why he received the penalty, noting he didn’t think he was speeding at all. He said: “I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to talk to the team about it, I guess. I think it looks like, yeah, Section 7 is maybe different than it’s been in the past. It’s kind of a bummer, just because I didn’t push. I didn’t push beyond our maximum. Like I never thought I’d be speeding.” It’s a bummer for the No. 5 driver, with only five races left, let’s hope this penalty doesn’t take away some much-needed points for nothing!

However, it now appears that Chase’s incredible run is officially over. The whole situation has left him and the HMS team furious. The real question is, can they bounce back and get back to where they belong, leading the pack heading into the playoffs?