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NASCAR Cup Darlington II

Chase Elliott breaks silence over Kyle Busch's "rare mistake"

Chase Elliott has given his first public reaction to his clash with Kyle Busch in Wednesday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Speedway, saying he has accepted his apology and that “I don’t think he wrecked me on purpose”.

Charles Bradley

Edited: May 22, 2020, 6:01 PM

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Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro NAPA Auto Parts

Elliott had just passed Busch for second place as they raced towards the finish, but as he attempted to move back in line he clipped the tail of Elliott’s car, sending him spinning into the pit wall and out of the race.

After the incident, Elliott got out of his car and flipped his middle finger at Busch on the following lap under yellow. Busch’s teammate Denny Hamlin went on to win the rain-shortened event, with Busch second.

“It was the closing laps and we were battling for the win,” said Elliott in a Zoom call for NASCAR media, and revealed he’d spoken with Busch since the incident by phone. “We talked about it, and like I told him, I don’t think he wrecked me on purpose.

“I think he was trying to make a spot that wasn’t there. Much like I told him, I get that mistakes happen, that’s part of life. He’s just not a guy that makes many mistakes. For me to be on the poor end of a rare mistake is unfortunate for me and my team.

“Just hated it was me that took the blow.”

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When asked if he regretted his post-crash gesture, Elliott replied: “No regrets, I thought it was warranted and I thought he was deserving.”

Elliott said he understood the levels of reaction since the crash, especially on social media, and added: “I know it’s gained a lot of traction, and a lot of people are talking about it. It was a win for the sport, but a loss for me and my team. People love the drama, and talking about that stuff. But I really don’t care, it’s up to people to make something of it.

“I just want to go win, I thought we had a really nice opportunity. I want nothing more than to go run well, to try and put ourselves in a position to win. It just hasn’t worked out, I’m hopeful that our day will come.”

When asked about his previous relations towards Busch, Elliott said he’d never had any problems in the past.

“Kyle and I have gotten along for many years, I respect him because he’s really good and he’s a two-time champion,” he said. “The respect was there prior to this event, and we’ve raced hard and clean.

“I learned that he made a mistake, he apologized to me. Unfortunately that doesn’t change the result, it cost us a shot at the win.

“You certainly expect a high level from a guy that talented. He kinda did the same thing to Martin [Truex] at Bristol a few years ago. I’ve never had a problem with Kyle, and I don’t think he’s had a problem with me.”

When asked if he thought NASCAR’s social distancing measures prevented a post-race fight between the race teams, Elliott quipped: “Be kinda hard to fight when you have to stay six feet apart. My arms aren’t long enough!”

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