Chase Elliott spun and hit the wall during Iowa Speedway’s 50‑minute NASCAR Cup practice, forcing him to start the Saturday race from the rear unless the repairs meet approval.
Practice Wreck at Iowa Speedway
With 27 minutes remaining, Elliott, driving the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, cut into the inside of Turns 1 and 2. The car bottomed out before losing control, brushing the wall and sustaining damage to its left rear and left front mounts. The incident left visible scratches on the body of the No. 9.
Despite the setback, Elliott drove the wrecked car back to the pits and returned to the track once HMS had inspected the damage. He completed a second set of 30 laps, ranking 30th in the time sheet when his total practice time passed 30 laps.
Repair Implications for Sunday’s Race
HMS’s assessment is still pending, but if the necessary fixes are deemed an unapproved adjustment—or if the crew later opts for more comprehensive repairs—the driver may be required to line up at the end of the field for Sunday’s Cup race. The team’s choice could shift Elliott from a deep‑field start to the very back.
Season‑Long Context
In 2025, Elliott finished 11th at Iowa and has yet to break a streak of eight consecutive races without a top‑ten finish. Although he remains the sole Hendrick driver to have secured Victory Lane in the 2026 season, the July 4th event awaits a crew chief and driver looking for a strong performance.
The track will be repaved before the 2027 Cup race, adding another variable to the day’s proceedings. Elliott’s reputation as NASCAR’s most popular driver adds pressure to deliver a positive result, especially after the recent incident.
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