To say Chase Elliott had an uphill climb in front of him when Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas started would be a massive understatement.

An engine issue in qualifying on Saturday forced Elliott to start dead last in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400, in a pivotal race in NASCAR’s championship chase.

Despite the obstacles in front of him, Elliott and the No. 9 team showed an immense amount of resilience. Elliott gained 19 spots over the first 80 laps, finishing 19th in Stage 1.

Elliott’s car continued to improve as the race went on, and a chaotic Stage 2 saw Elliott cross the line in ninth, earning two stage points.

When the checkered flag flew, Elliott’s finishing position matched his car number, as he brought home a ninth-place finish that he and the No. 9 team more than earned.

The finish may not have been exactly what Elliott wanted on Sunday afternoon, but a top-10 effort on a day where he started last is certainly a positive outcome.

The ninth-place finish is Elliott’s third top-10 finish in four playoff races. Elliott is a two-time winner at Talladega — the next race on the Cup Series schedule — most recently in the fall of 2022.

The finish may not have been exactly what Elliott wanted on Sunday afternoon, but a top-10 effort on a day where he started last is certainly a positive outcome.

The ninth-place finish is Elliott’s third top-10 finish in four playoff races. Elliott is a two-time winner at Talladega — the next race on the Cup Series schedule — most recently in the fall of 2022.