Elliott not afraid to be the spoiler

The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup race on July 1 was not completed in time for this edition. For a recap, go to MorningJournal.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. » Chase Elliott knows most NASCAR fans want Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win at Daytona International Speedway.

He understands his Hendrick Motorsports teammate is the sentimental favorite July 1, but Elliott has no problem playing spoiler.

Earnhardt will start from the pole at Daytona and Elliott is next to him on the front row. Elliott has made it clear he won’t let sentiment get in the way of trophies come race time.

“Sure everybody wants Dale to win his last race at Daytona,” Elliott said June 30. “But I’m going to go do my thing and if I have an opportunity to pass a guy and do it the right way, then I am going to try my best to do it.”

Earnhardt is on the pole for the first time in nearly four years. Elliott is still searching his first Cup victory, but he’s a cozy sixth in the Cup standings.

Earnhardt is having a crummy year, and Daytona might be his best shot at the win he needs to qualify for the playoffs.

“We are running out of time, and I am aware of that,” Earnhardt said. “Yeah, this is probably our best shot to win.”

So Earnhardt is looking for some help in the race, but will he get it from two of his Hendrick teammates, Elliott and Kasey Kahne, in the top four? They are a trio of Chevrolets surrounded by Fords, and Earnhardt would love one to push him to victory.

“Whoever wants to push us to the win tomorrow will be my best friend,” Earnhardt said. “I’ll invite them over to the pool Sunday.”

Elliott can live without an invitation.

Twice this week he’s been asked about scenarios involving Earnhardt, and both times Elliott made clear he’s not rolling over for his teammate. The idea is absurd to Elliott, and he believes fans will respect him for racing Earnhardt cleanly even if it denies Earnhardt of a win.

“If you go and beat a guy straight up and you have a good run on him and you are able to pass the guy on the last lap to win the race, I mean, I don’t see how you could be the villain for doing your job at the end of the day,” Elliott said. “I don’t see how me trying to go do my job is going to make me a villain. If people think that, so be it.

“But I’m going to go do my thing and if I have an opportunity to pass a guy and do it the right way, then I am going to try my best to do it.”