Chase Elliott to start at the rear for 'unapproved adjustments' ahead of Ambetter Health 400

Chase Elliott will drop to the rear for the start of Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

NASCAR made the decision to drop Elliott to the rear for “unapproved adjustments.” According to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, the No. 9 team had an engine sensor they were concerned about and decided to change. Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, was set to start the race 28th following Saturday’s qualifying session.

Elliott fell short in his bid to win his first-career Daytona 500 on Monday, finishing 14th. He did lead 13 laps, an overall encouraging start to his 2024 season following a season of struggles.

“We know that we need to be better, and I need to be better and intend on continuing to build on what we were working on at the end of last year, and just keep our heads down and keep pushing,” Elliott said this week, per Jeff Hart of AccessWDUN.

Elliott, 28, went winless in 2023 for the first time since his sophomore season in 2017, and finished a career-low 17th in the points standings. He missed out on the playoffs, notably missing six races earlier in the season after injuring his left leg in a snowboarding accident. Elliott did remain in the hunt upon his return, recording seven top 5s and 15 top 10s.

Chase Elliott excited to come back to home track

The Dawsonville, Georgia, native has had success at his home track, tallying six top 10s in 10 starts at Atlanta. In the July 2022 race, Elliott raced his way to victory lane from the pole position. Speaking with Alex Weaver of NASCAR.com, Elliott reflected on that win and what it meant to get one at his home track.

“It was a big deal to me for sure,” Elliott said. “I mean to win at your home track is really cool and I’d never done it before. I’ve watched other guys do it. You know a guy wins his home track it was always like a neat thing to witness and watch. I didn’t have the family at the track but got to go home and hang out with some friends.”