In 2020, Chase Elliott delivered the biggest moment of his young career. Starting from the rear after failing inspection, he charged through the field at Phoenix Raceway to win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. At 24, he became the youngest Cup champion since Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon. His win wasn’t just a title—it was a statement. For a driver often seen as “Bill Elliott’s son,” it was a way of carving out his own legacy.
That day in the desert, Chase didn’t just race—he dominated. He led 153 laps, more than any other contender. He outdrove Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin on NASCAR’s biggest stage. “All you have to do is beat three people,” his father, Bill, had told him before the race. Chase took those words to heart. As the checkered flag waved, he screamed over the radio: “We are the champions!”
Bill Elliott, the 1988 Cup champion, stood trackside watching his son join a rare club. Together, they became just the third father-son duo to win NASCAR Cup Series titles. Elliott had proven that his seat wasn’t a handout. It was earned. And yet, the whispers of nepotism never truly vanished. For every trophy and fan vote, there remained those who chalked up his success to his last name. But now, Elliott’s had enough.
Chase Elliott snubs the narrative!
Since his NASCAR debut, Chase Elliott has faced a lot of question and scrutiny because of his last name. Many questioned his skills and abilities. But with the iconic performance in 2020, he tried to destroy the narrative. However, it’s been around five years and yet he faces similar questions. But now, Elliott has had enough, as he recently revealed how his father’s presence motivated him to crave his own path.
In a recent interview, Elliott didn’t dodge the question. When asked if his NASCAR career began because of his father or because of a Hollywood movie like Talladega Nights, he gave a clear answer. “It was not the reason,” he said, referring to the movie. Then came the line that dismissed years of outside noise: “I grew up around it, fell in love.” That’s been his truth all along. Chase has never claimed to be self-made.
Elliott acknowledged the advantage of proximity to the sport but proved himself on track. He won the Cup title in 2020. He claimed multiple wins for Hendrick Motorsports and led thousands of laps. And fans have voted him NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver every year since 2018. Elliott didn’t just inherit a seat—he earned respect. He never pretended to start from scratch, but he always made it clear the passion was his, not borrowed. “I didn’t want to do anything else. It was always my dream,” he said in the interview.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Coke Zero Sugar 400 Aug 25, 2023 Daytona Beach, Florida, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott 9 talks with a crew member prior to qualifying for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Daytona International Speedway Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDavidxYeazellx 20230825_gma_be3_0180
The name “Elliott” opened doors, but it also brought weight. Expectations have followed him from the start. Veteran Kevin Harvick once said only Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chase Elliott have faced this level of pressure. “Sometimes you just can’t hide from that,” Harvick said. He also praised how Elliott has handled it: “He’s done a great job of carrying himself and being competitive.”
That’s the trap for second-generation drivers. Access is easy; success is not. Many flame out trying to live up to the family name. The Pettys, the Allisons, the Earnhardt’s—all iconic NASCAR families—but only a few sons matched their fathers. Elliott has. He won a title. He became the face of Hendrick Motorsports. And he continues to carry the legacy forward in his own voice. “Being me is the best way,” he had said.
That mindset has shaped how he races, leads, and grows. Chase Elliott may have followed Bill Elliott into the sport, but he has stayed in it on his own terms. Even his friend and fellow driver, Ryan Blaney, admits that fans have unmatched admiration for Elliott. “It’s going to be tough to take him off the top spot,” Blaney said. Elliott’s fan base hasn’t just followed his name. They’ve followed his grit. But Elliott’s journey isn’t without challenges.
He’s winless since April 2024 and is only fifth in the standings despite consistency. He’s completed nearly every lap but hasn’t led many. His speed on long runs and restarts is falling behind teammates like Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman. But Elliott remains focused, saying improvement is the key. As Jeff Gordon once said, “You’ve got to get through the rocky times.”
Elliott on the All-Star Race rule
Chase Elliott made a pit stop in New York City last week to promote the upcoming Speedway Classic at Bristol. He was everywhere—talk shows, radio, appearances—all to hype NASCAR’s trip to Talladega and the All-Star Race changes at North Wilkesboro. When asked about NASCAR’s new “Promoter’s Caution” rule, his answer was classic Chase: cool, measured, and focused on the big picture.
“I’m not opposed to it. There have been some questionable cautions thrown in the history of the sport. So I’d just as soon know that’s coming and that’s the plan beforehand,” Elliott said. The new rule allows Speedway Motorsports’ executive Marcus Smith to throw one caution flag before the final 50 laps for entertainment value. That could reshape strategy late in the race. But Elliott didn’t flinch. “That race to me is all about just having fun and putting on a good show. And if the show looks like it needs help, then they have something in their pocket to help it,” he said. To be fair, he makes a valid point, as last year’s All-Star race was a drab showing, to say the least.
At North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2024, Goodyear tested out their softer option tires in a bid to make the race exciting with more wear and increased strategy. However, this backfired massively, as Joey Logano started from pole and led 199 out of 200 laps in what was a one-sided race throughout. For 200 laps, just two caution flags were thrown outside of the halfway caution at 100 laps and the competition caution with 50 laps to go. So, adding another caution may not be the worst idea after all.
Chase Elliott knows what fans want. He knows what the sport needs. And he’s okay with NASCAR leaning into the entertainment side—if it’s transparent. Elliott’s no longer just the kid with the famous last name. He’s a former champion, a leader at Hendrick Motorsports, and a fan favorite. He’s weathering a tough stretch on the track. But in how he speaks, races, and responds, he shows what he’s really inherited from his father.
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