CONCORD, N.C. — As the NASCAR Cup Series approaches the midpoint of its regular season, Chase Elliott is 63 points behind the cutoff line for the end-of-year playoffs. Should Elliott win a race at any point before the playoffs begin Sept. 3 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, he will secure a playoff berth for his No. “It sounds like 63 points is attainable in 13 weeks, but I think a lot can happen,” Elliott said. It’s why Elliott hasn’t dwelled much on his position in the standings. “I’m really just trying to run better and get some stage points. His most successful run at accumulating stage points was during his second race back at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Elliott won the first stage, finished second in stage two and ended the race in 12th, netting him 44 stage points.

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