The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway was a brutal wake-up call for Chase Elliott and his No. 9 team. A lap 311 crash, triggered by a chaotic shuffle in traffic, sent Elliott hard into the wall, ending his night in a dismal 38th place. The race was a tire-chewing nightmare, with a softer right side compound shredding under cool high 60s temps, catching teams off guard after smoother practice runs.

The Next Gen car’s quirks, stiff suspension, and wide tires amplified the chaos, leading to 14 cautions and a finish that left fans buzzing with frustration. Elliott, sitting just 28 points above the playoff cutline, went from contender to question mark, with his playoff fate hanging in the balance. Fans didn’t hold back, pointing fingers at crew chief Alan Gustafson for the No

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