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Chase Elliott has qualified fifth for Sunday's 500-point barrier race from 1000Bulbs.com at Talladega's Superspeedway.(Photo: Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
LINCOLN, Alabama – Chase Elliott is new to this win-win field of the playoffs.
While another victory is obviously welcome, Elliott is no longer under pressure and will not participate in the 500,000 bulbs on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway (2 pm NBC time), then in the second playoff race. playoffs next weekend at Kansas Speedway. And it benefits every second before the round of 16 begins to determine the four finalists of the championship.
"You can definitely be aggressive, but everyone is going to be aggressive and it's kind of like Mr. O. now (in Talladega)," said Elliott, qualifying fifth Saturday on NASCAR's biggest track.
"It's nice not to lose sleep on Sunday, which is fantastic, and I've never been in that position before. My first two years, we barely got to the first round to start the playoffs. "
Elliott's victory at Dover was his second career win. Its premiere took place at Watkins Glen International in August and was considered long awaited by the talented 22-year-old, who began his career in the Cup series with 98 winless races.
ELLIOTT: Claim the title after early growth pains
QUALIFICATION: Kurt Busch in pole position as Stewart-Haas Racing wins first places
PREVIEW: Talladega, volatile
TALLADEGA: Inside the wildest and biggest party of NASCAR
Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. – the three most dominant drivers in the regular season with 17 wins in 26 races – top the table. . At present, Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman are the four drivers off the agenda.
Talladega is as much a question of survival as of victory, because chaos is the only predictable element of the 188-lap race. Elliott's best result was third in the spring race this year, which Joey Logano won to maintain the Penske team's recent lead on the 2.66-mile track, but crashed and has not finished in two of his last three races here.
"You always come here with the prospect of trying to win and run well," Elliott said. "It does not always work or it usually does not work for us or not. …
"It's nice and encouraging and we have a little momentum. It is a good thing to have this time of year. I am therefore eager to continue. "
SOMETHING IN THE WORKS
Furniture Row Racing, the Truex championship team, closes at the end of the year. The 38-year-old veteran will be racing elsewhere next season.
Although the current Toyota Driver # 78 does not confirm any speculation or any particular details Saturday in Talladega, he hinted that he was preparing to make an announcement.
"I have projects," Truex hinted smiling. "I will run."
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