Chase Elliott Confronts Richmond Setback, Maintains Goodwill with Kyle Busch

Chase Elliott faced an unexpected setback during the NASCAR race at Richmond on August 19, 2025, when a collision with Kyle Busch ended his impressive streak of no did-not-finish (DNF) results. Prior to the race, Elliott boasted an extraordinary record of 27 consecutive starts without an early exit, dating back to the final three events of the previous season. He had also achieved 23 consecutive top-20 finishes until a disappointing P26 result at Watkins Glen.

The incident unfolded during a restart when Chase Briscoe inadvertently checked up, sliding into Busch’s lane and triggering a 12-car pileup on the front stretch. Elliott, who was positioned just behind the two drivers, attempted to navigate the chaos but was clipped by Busch’s car, leading to a significant impact against the wall that ultimately ended his race.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Elliott expressed no lingering animosity towards Busch. He stated, “Kyle did reach out to me. He apologized for what happened. I don’t have any differing opinion on it. I was never mad at him. I knew it was a mistake right when I saw it. It sucks and I hate it.”

Elliott acknowledged that the collision not only ruined his night but also severely impacted his chances of contending for the regular-season championship. He elaborated, “It obviously killed our night and our regular-season championship hopes, kind of all at the same time. But I knew it was nothing that he (Busch) did on purpose. It wasn’t anything aimed at us. It was just the way that it all went down, and unfortunately, we were on the bad end of it.”

Following the race, Elliott finished last in the 38-car field, marking his second consecutive result outside the top 20. Up to that point in the season, he had completed all but one lap, with the only blemish being a one-lap deficit at Bristol.

Entering the Richmond race, Elliott was in a strong position, ranked second in the Cup standings and trailing leader William Byron by just 42 points. However, the wreck left him with little hope of recovering the regular-season title ahead of the upcoming finale at Daytona.

Elliott’s ability to maintain a positive attitude despite the setback underscores his resilience as a competitor. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of NASCAR racing, where split-second decisions can have significant consequences. As the season approaches its conclusion, Elliott remains focused on the challenges ahead, determined to finish strong.