Why Chad Knaus Predicts Drivers Like Chase Elliott Could Throw Punches Before Start of 2023 Playoffs

Chad Knaus has watched his Hendrick Motorsports drivers put up mixed results in the first 20 races of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. On the good side, Kyle Larson has won a couple of times, while William Byron has set the pace for the organization and the rest of the competition, earning a season-best four victories.

Conversely, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott have struggled due to a variety of factors, including missing action from injuries sustained outside of NASCAR. The 2020 champ also missed a race from suspension after the incident with Denny Hamlin in the Coca-Cola 600. In both drivers' cases, making the playoffs on points is all but impossible. They're in must-win situations.

This week, Knaus made an appearance on NASCAR Race Hub alongside Kevin Harvick. During one game-show-like segment, the two discussed whether or not there might be punches thrown in the rest of the 2023 campaign. The HMS executive didn't hesitate in predicting that he thought there was a high chance of it happening, and provided examples of who might be good candidates.

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