Hendrick Motorsports has to replace Chase Elliott after he suffered a fractured tibia in a snowboarding accident in Colorado last Friday. Elliott, 27, is set to miss several weeks and possibly more with no timetable for his return.
There have been rumors that Hendrick Motorsports could employ a “huge surprise” to drive the No. 9 car at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. However, it appears there could be some momentum toward another driver.
According to NASCAR’s roster portal and FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Josh Berry is currently listed as the driver of the No. 9 car for Hendrick Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway. Berry, 32, replaced Elliott at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and came home with a 29th-place finish after some issues.
Elliott released the following statement on social media before the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
In all seriousness, the support I’ve received over the last couple of days is far greater than I deserve. I want to thank everyone who has lended it over in any form! Let’s give Josh Berry and the NAPA Racing team some love today! #di9
Chase Elliott’s social media post on Sunday afternoon
Berry is also a driver for JR Motorsports and has the most experience among the team’s lineup in the NextGen car. Nothing has been made official from Hendrick Motorsports but the team switched Elliott to Berry on Monday afternoon. It would make little sense to make this change and then transition to a different driver.
It appears pretty likely that Hendrick Motorsports will employ the 32-year-old full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver to pilot the entry once again. Perhaps, this could be the usual moving forward until Elliott returns to competition.
Sportsnaut continues to wish Elliott a speedy recovery after his snowboarding accident last Friday in Colorado.
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