Chase Elliott has weighed in on the terrifying crash that sent Tyler Reddick’s car flipping onto the infield grass in Sunday’s race in Las Vegas.

The intense NASCAR Playoff battle reached a boiling point in the Las Vegas sun as two championship contenders collided. On lap 89 of the South Point 400, Reddick was driving high on the track when he rapidly approached Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. from the outside.

As Reddick drew alongside, Elliott’s No. 9 car seemed to be squeezed between the two and made contact with Reddick’s 23XI Racing No. 45 car. Elliott’s car spun out of control, while Reddick’s car crashed into Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 car and slid sideways across the infield grass before rolling over after hitting a patch of asphalt.

Reddick’s car landed on all four wheels and managed to return to the pit wall, but after his crew inspected the damage, he was forced to retire from the race. After the race, Elliott told FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass that he didn’t think Truex Jr. was at fault, instead questioning Reddick’s aggressive move on the outside.

“Yeah, I mean, the 45 was coming up a big run up top and I don’t think Martin knew that,” Elliott said. “He was kind of running as if we were two wide and once I recognized there won’t be enough room, I tried to bail. There was just nowhere to bail, it was too late. I don’t know, I need to sit down and take a look at it. I was personally trying to get out of the situation, a little too late at that point. Sucks but the Chevy was really really good. Best we’ve been out here probably in the new car. Bad day for that.”

Reddick expressed his disappointment post-crash. When Elliott was questioned if he thought Reddick’s attempt to overtake was overly aggressive, he responded: “There wasn’t a lot of room there. I certainly understand but there was not a lot of room at that point in the corner and at that point in the race.

“It was a big gamble for him (Reddick) to bank on me recognizing and Martin recognizing that he had a big run up top. I saw it but there was probably no way that Martin could see that that late,” Elliott continued. “It was aggressive for sure, who am I to say, we’re trying to race for a championship.”

Tyler Reddick flips after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400

Tyler Reddick flips after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 ( 

Image:

Getty)

Truex Jr., another driver involved, shared his confusion about the wreck’s cause. He said: “I’m not sure, we were kind of close together and the #9 lifted all of a sudden, and I’m not really sure what happened. Still felt like there was plenty of room in the #9, things jumped out of the gas, I’m not really sure what happened. That’s about all. ”

Reddick shared his thoughts without pointing fingers: “The No. 19 (Truex Jr. ) and the No. 9 (Elliott). The 19 went up with the 9 and we all just ran out of room, that’s all there is to it. It’s something that happens all the time at mile and a halfs.”

After Joey Logano clinched victory and took the lead in the standings, Elliott found himself at the tail end of the remaining eight playoff contenders, having earned a mere four points from the race. Recognizing the tight spot he’s in, Elliott acknowledged the pressure to perform moving forward: “We definitely have to win but honestly that was my mindset today too so nothing changes for me.”