Chase Elliott confronted Mike Rockenfeller post-race for blocking him during Verizon 200

At the end of the NASCAR Verizon 200, Chase Elliott just couldn’t catch Michael McDowell. Did Mike Rockenfeller have anything to do with it? Elliott had a conversation with Rockenfeller after the race, confronting the replacement for Noah Gragson. He might have had good reason to do it, too.

Chase Elliott had an issue with how Rockenfeller and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were racing for a position as the 9-car tried to pass. With Elliott only 2.1 seconds back from McDowell, he needed everything he could get. The battle between the 42 and 47 for the lucky dog got in Elliott’s way big time.

This is what it looked like as Elliott and Rockenfeller spoke after the race. Elliott said the conversation went “fine.”

Elliott and Rockenfeller chat after the race pic.twitter.com/7JXPGgXWjz

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) August 13, 2023

After the race, Rockenfeller talked to the media about the race. That incident with Chase Elliott was incidental, but happened at a crucial moment in the race. For what it is worth, Rockenfeller was apologetic.

Remember, Rockenfeller drove for Garage 56 at Le Mans and has a close tie to Hendrick Motorsports. As he filled in for Noah Gragson amid his separation from LEGACY M.C., the German driver didn’t want to mess Elliott up at all.

"I made a little mistake on pit lane, big time actually, I blew through the lights. We didn't have the best time but I thought we were decent."

"I apologize if I cost him maybe a second or so there in the race."

Mike Rockenfeller on his pit road penalty and Chase Elliott. pic.twitter.com/iwxOm7R52R

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) August 13, 2023

Chase Elliott was in the mix for the win, he just didn’t have enough speed or laps to catch McDowell. If Rockenfeller moved aside, there is no guarantee he would have caught the 34. However, it has to be frustrating.

At least at Watkins Glen, Rockenfeller will know to get out of the way.

Will Indy be the one that got away for Chase Elliott?

Finishing P2 has probably never felt worse for Chase Elliott than today. To know you were so close to getting to the playoffs and putting your season on the right track and it was just too far away. Now he has to figure it out next week.

Even with a fast road course setup this week, Indy is not Watkins Glen. These are different tracks that often require a different approach. With that said, this performance should give Elliott confidence heading into next week’s race.

Then again, a lot of drivers had speed at Indianapolis. Perhaps McDowell can make a back-to-back run. Then again, Tyler Reddick might catch some speed and finally figure it out again to get back in victory lane.

Nothing short of a win is going to get Chase Elliott in the playoffs. Two more races to make the postseason and coming off a heartbreaker, how will Elliott respond?