Chase Elliott defends Harrison Burton against critics questioning NASCAR playoff format

“Man, that’s tough,” Elliott told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “I probably have a lot of opinions on that stuff, but I totally let them [NASCAR] make that call. As it pertains to last weekend, look — Harrison did a good job. I know all those guys really well from dad’s [Bill Elliott] time racing with them from me being a kid and I was just super happy for them to win and to get their 100th win — I think it’s an incredible milestone. I just wanna say that. Really am happy for all parties involved. Jeff Burton’s a good friend of mine and I enjoy watching Harrison too. So, really just happy for them.

“Look, they don’t make the rules. NASCAR makes the rules, and this is the format they created. This is what you’re gonna get sometimes whenever the cards fall like they did on Saturday night. So, I think for any of us to question that is just unfair because this is the reality and that’s the format they rightfully took advantage of. Props to them.”

Harrison Burton playoff bound after win at Daytona

NASCAR previously had a rule in place where a race winner had to be in the top-30 of the points standings to be playoff-eligible. The sanctioning body ditched the rule ahead of the 2023 season. Because of that change, Burton’s win is recognized as an automatic playoff berth.

While a benefit to Burton, it severely impacted playoff bubble drivers such as Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain. Both will likely need to win at Darlington this Sunday to reach the postseason. That, of course, has nothing to do with Burton, who reached the pinnacle of his young career Saturday.

“I cried the whole victory lap,” Burton said after the race. “I, obviously, got fired from this job. Wanted to do everything for the Wood brothers that I could. They’ve given me an amazing opportunity in life and to get them [win No.] 100 on my way out is amazing. We’re in the playoffs now. Let’s go to Darlington and see what happens.”