CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 10-week NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs open this weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
While many approach the Playoffs with the strategy of taking things one week at a time, 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, who is one of four champions chasing another title this year, says it’s important to understand that 10 weeks is a long time.
“I think understanding that, you know, 10 weeks is a long time,” said Elliott. “Like, that’s a lot of racing, and it’s almost enough time for someone to have a good few weeks, go through a stretch of not so good weeks and then get good again. It’s a lot of racing, you know, over two months.
“So, I think sometimes you kind of get these questions about the Playoffs, and it’s like, oh, there’s just the Playoffs, you know, like, it’s just one thing, right? And it’s not. It’s a long period of time,” Elliott said. “And, you know, a lot of long hours working, you know in the shop, and travel. It’s just there’s 10 races and a lot can happen in 10 weeks.”
Elliott also says having been there before is a strength his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team takes into the Playoffs.
“I think the experience that, you know, I alluded to a second ago is a major strength, as you just get faced with different situations throughout the final 10,” he said. “You know, the challenges for us have been mainly on Saturdays, more than they’ve been on Sundays. I’ve been pretty open about that, but yeah, we’ve got to have better Saturdays to set ourselves up better for success.”
Elliott is one who believes the intensity on and off the track picks up when the Playoffs begin.
“Yeah, it definitely, there’s a level of intensity to the final 10 that I think make it a lot of fun, that is just, yeah, it’s a little different vibe, but I enjoy it,” he said. “I think all the competitors do. Our season’s pretty long, so kind of getting down to business and knowing that there’s something on the line every week, is a fun thing to be a part of. And it’s always felt that way. You know, just naturally as the years have gone by.”
