CONCORD, N.C. – Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski were eliminated from the Coca-Cola 600 in a bizarre accident that caused a caution on the 20th of 400 laps Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Jeffrey Earnhardt’s No. 33 Chevrolet suffered an engine problem that littered the 1.5-mile oval with oil and some debris. Elliott’s No. 24 Chevy seemed to run over a stray part, sparking flames beneath the car.
As Elliott quickly slowed, he was rear-ended by Keselowski’s No. 2 Ford.
“Somebody broke, and there was just oil everywhere,” Keselowski said. “I couldn’t turn. I ran into the back of Chase. It’s a real bummer for our team. We had a really fast Miller Lite Ford, and I think we had a shot at winning tonight, but that’s how it goes.”
Said Elliott: “This is so disappointing. Our Chevy was going to be all right as the night went along. But (Jeffrey Earnhardt) broke something, I guess, and I hit it hard and I saw some fire ... I hate it. It’s such a bummer. We’ll just go after it again next week.”
Earnhardt was listed as finishing last in the race; Keselowski likely will place 39th, and Elliott 38th.