Pit-road penalty dooms Chase Elliott in NASCAR playoff race at Las Vegas

At a pivotal juncture in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs where there are zero mulligans, Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team made one pit-road mistake too many in Sunday's South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

A penalty for an uncontrolled tire during a round of green flag pit stops in the opening race of the Round of 8 put Elliott a lap down, and while he was able to eventually get back onto the lead lap, the 2020 Cup Series champion didn't make much hay. 

When the checkered flag flew, Elliott finished 18th. He leaves Las Vegas sixth on the Cup Series playoff grid, 23 points below the cut line. 

Pit-road penalty a huge setback for Chase Elliott

"Started the day strong," Elliott told USA Network. "Thought we had our balance in a really good spot. Unfortunately (we) had a penalty on pit road. Just got back in traffic. I needed something pretty different balance-wise to be good back there."

Elliott hasn't made the Championship 4 since 2022, and it'll take a pair of great races at Talladega and Martinsville in order for him to chase his second title at Phoenix. The good news? Elliott has won a playoff race apiece at both Talladega and Martinsville. He certainly wouldn't mind a repeat showing.