Chase Elliott to miss Las Vegas race

Chase Elliott will not compete this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway due to a leg injury, Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday night.

Josh Berry will drive the No. 9 car this weekend.

Elliott suffered an injury to his left leg while snowboarding Friday in Colorado, the team stated. He was scheduled to undergo surgery Friday night. The team did not state the exact nature of Elliott’s injury or his status beyond this weekend.

Elliott’s streak of consecutive Cup starts ends at 254 races.

“Chase’s health is our primary concern,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports in a statement from the team. “He’s spoken with several members of our team and is understandably disappointed to miss time in the car. Of course, he has our full support, and we’ll provide any resources he needs. We hope to share another update later this weekend.”

Berry, who drives for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, will be making his third career Cup start. He ran two races for Spire Motorsports in 2021.

Chandler Smith scored his first career Xfinity pole, posting the fastest lap in Friday night’s Xfinity Series qualifying session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The Kaulig Racing driver earned the pole with a lap of 183.119 mph. He will be joined on the front row by Justin Allgaier (182.778 mph).

Cole Custer (182.500) qualified third.  Brett Moffitt (182.211) qualified fourth. Josh Berry (182.168) qualified fifth. Kyle Busch (180.156) qualified 11th. Tyler Reddick (179.683) qualified 15th.

The cars of Custer, Berry, Sheldon Creed, Busch, Brandon Jones and Gray Gaulding will go to the rear for using backup cars. Xfinity teams must use the same car this weekend as they raced at Auto Club Speedway or start at the rear of the field.

Mason