Chevy drivers Jordan Taylor and Josh Berry will split duties behind the wheel of the No. 9 NASCAR Chevy Camaro ZL1 as substitutes for Cup Series regular Chase Elliott as he recovers from injuries incurred while snowboarding last week.
Elliott, who is NASCAR’s most popular driver and the 2020 Cup Series champion, fractured his left tibia on Friday, March 3rd, 2023, while snowboarding in Colorado. Elliott underwent a successful three-hour surgery that night, and had to sit out last weekend’s Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marking his first missed start in his career. Elliott’s team, Hendrick Motorsports, stated that it expects the young driver to be out for at least six weeks, necessitating replacement drivers in the meantime.
Josh Berry, who drives the No. 8 NASCAR Chevy Camaro full-time in the Xfinity Series, already took over the No. 9 Camaro in the Cup Series last weekend, and will continue to do so for all oval races while Elliott is recovering. Meanwhile, Corvette Racing’s Jordan Taylor will take command of the No. 9 NASCAR Chevy at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday, March 26th, which will be the IMSA driver’s first NASCAR Cup Series start.
“We’re focused on getting Chase back to 100 percent, so we’ll take however much time is necessary and make sure he has the best resources available,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Josh was impressive this weekend [at Vegas] under difficult circumstances, and we look forward to having him drive the oval tracks until Chase is able to return. Jordan is a world-class road racer and has recently been working with our Garage 56 team preparing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He’ll be able to step in and do a great job at COTA.”
In keeping the No. 9 NASCAR Chevy on track, Elliott’s team could qualify for a waiver that would still allow Elliott to be eligible for the Playoffs when he returns, despite missing several races this year.
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Comments
I’ll bet that is the last time he will be snowboarding during the circuit. Or, his sponsors have written in a new contract stating the facts. These are million dollar contracts. All the other drivers are getting new contracts, too.
By that logic Chase’s sponsors shouldn’t even let him drive down the street during the season because he could get into a traffic accident.
Thats not a reason that would get draw the ire of a sponsor or team owner, its the extracurricular hazardous activities that is being irresponsible, things are gonna happen we are all human, but one must decide which is more important, fulfilling your obligations to your owner, sponsor, teammates, or anyone who counts on you to hold up your end of the deal. Its his talent that got him where he is with the owner, sponsor, teammates and others. When you decide to take a chance on getting hurt over something like snowboarding to me shows a lack of respect to all involved.
I think the only time a waiver should be available is if a driver is injured in a race of the sanctioning body or involved in an accident out of his own control. I hate that he got hurt and wish him a speedy recovery and i know accidents can and will happen but apparently whatever that got him hurt was more important than his racing career. If Ole man Hendrick was how he used to be before he had to change his own rules just to land Larson, Chase would be gone, out of a job at HMS. Lots of money and people involved in and around that 9 car, just seems at little selfish.
It’s standard contract language to limit one’s participation in activities that could have negative consequences. I am surprised that Elliott did not have such clauses in his contract.