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NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson speaks out about Chase Elliott

By Asher Fair

DOVER, DE - OCTOBER 01: Jimmie Johnson (C), driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, stands on the grid during the National Anthem prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil at Dover International Speedway on October 1, 2017 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
DOVER, DE - OCTOBER 01: Jimmie Johnson (C), driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, stands on the grid during the National Anthem prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil at Dover International Speedway on October 1, 2017 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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After Chase Elliott’s heartbreaking 2nd place finish at Dover in a race which could have resulted in his first career NASCAR Cup Series win, Jimmie Johnson tried to comfort the 21-year-old.

Chase Elliott was just over one mile away from winning his first career NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday at Dover in his #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the final race of the first round of this year’s playoffs.

But then, seemingly out of nowhere, Kyle Busch stormed up to and passed Elliott to take the lead of the race in his #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with just over one lap to go at the Monster Mile before winning his 42nd career Cup Series race and second in a row, denying Elliott his first in his 70th career race.

While Elliott will still advance to the Round of 12, he will do so as the lone Round of 12 driver without one single career victory after his heartbreak at Dover, which is extremely disappointing for him after he was so close to winning yet another race.

Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate and 7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson spoke out about Chase Elliott following his heartbreaking 2nd place finish, which still tied his career-high result.

"“I know I can’t help the situation, but I thought maybe I could let him get a few cuss words out before he had the cameras and everybody else listening. I feel for him. I feel for that No. 24 team, great group of guys and man, they have been so close and I know today stinks. But, we are getting our cars going the right way and I know he is going to be a factor in Charlotte.”"

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If anyone has room to talk about getting Hendrick Motorsports’ cars going in the right direction, which they really have not been this season aside for a few races up until now, it is 7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, who has won seven of the last 11 championships, including five in a row from 2006 to 2010. So Elliott should still be confident moving forward even with Toyota’s recent dominance in the Cup Series, which has allowed them to win the first three playoff races.

Elliott made the playoffs in his rookie season last year before finishing in 10th place in the final standings while Johnson won his seventh championship a year ago. Both drivers are heading to the Round of 12 once again this season. Johnson will start the round in 5th in the standings, while Elliott will begin in 10th.

Next: Chase Elliott experiences 'the one that got away'...again

The Round of 12 kicks off at Charlotte Motor Speedway next Sunday, October 8th, 2017 at 2:00 PM ET and will be broadcast live on NBC. Chase Elliott will look to bounce back from his heartbreak at Dover, while Jimmie Johnson will look to do what he does best in the playoffs, and that is win.

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