Chase Elliott blows a tire, hits the wall during practice at Las Vegas

Early on in practice, just about 15 laps in, Chase Elliott blew a right rear tire and went into the wall at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Goodyear has some tires that are taking damage and getting roughed up. That could mean a wild NASCAR weekend in Vegas.

Chase Elliott is still in the Round of 8 as far as the owner’s championship goes. He can’t win the big trophy, but he can win a big payday for the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team. Just before Elliott hit the wall, Kyle Larson pitted thinking he had a damaged tire himself.

Just as Larson had his car in the pits, Elliott was smoking and heading for the outside wall. I’d be shocked if they don’t go to a backup car. That would put them in the back when the green flag drops on Sunday afternoon.

Chase Elliott said afterward he wasn’t sure why he cut the right rear. He may have run it too hard for too long.

“It’s definitely a bummer but it’s kind of been that way all year,” he told NBC.

CRASH: Chase Elliott.

Elliott hits the wall in practice. He's competing for the owner's championship for the No. 9 team. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Y7s2vbc5Z7

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 14, 2023

Chase Elliott has had a rough year no matter which way you cut it. He missed out on the Las Vegas race in the spring due to injury, and now he’s going to have a hard start to this one.

“Just cut a right rear tire I’m not sure why. I ran 15 or so laps so maybe I ran too long, I’m not sure. It’s a bummer I thought uh, I knew it was a tire for sure I just couldn’t get stopped enough to keep it out of the wall, unfortunately. Yeah, it’s definitely a bummer, but it’s kind of been that way all year.”

Chase Elliott P2 in Group A practice

What is so disheartening about all of this is the fact that Chase Elliott was second in his group practice. Only Tyler Reddick was quicker than Elliott by the time he wrecked out. So, he had speed. Hopefully, Hendrick Motorsports can get the backup car prepared for Elliott similar to what he had in the primary.

Las Vegas is a tough track on tires. It eats them up. Goodyear has made changes in the last year to tire at a variety of tracks. It appears whatever compound they have this weekend is vulnerable under the right conditions.

Hopefully, this means we see cautions, but not too many. No one wants to see repeat restarts for four hours on Sunday. A little NASCAR Playoffs chaos would be nice, though.

Chase Elliott will try and come from the back with the backup car. Things won’t be easy as he tries to get to the championship race in the owner’s championship.