Whether it was Kendrick Lamar’s half-time show, the Philadelphia Eagles’ win, or arriving in his new private jet, the Super Bowl was an incredible weekend for Chase Elliott. With the Daytona 500 a week away, Elliott found the perfect way to unwind. With his favorite star Josh Allen out of contention, it seems Elliott might not have the best review for his time at one of the biggest American events.
Although the Super Bowl was an incredible experience for Chase Elliott, the NASCAR driver found the whole experience a little too much.
Chase Elliott finds Super Bowl’s energy similar to Daytona’s
Accustomed to a different environment in NASCAR, Elliott’s visit to the Super Bowl was a new experience. Having sat down with Dale Earnhardt Jr., he opened up about his experience, confessing that even though he’d made countless trips by then, he’d never once been to New Orleans before. Since the Cup Series doesn’t usually make it to New Orleans, Elliott never visited the city. His first vivst, however, didn’t disappoint at all.
“Everything is just exactly kind of what you would think it would be,” he said. “Everything is just done to the 10th degree, you know, over the top.” Not only was his first visit to the Big Easy, but it was also his inaugural attendance of a Super Bowl. And if there is anything that impressed him, it was the magnitude of the event. As a driver who has raced on some of the sport’s biggest stages—having won at iconic venues like Daytona and Talladega—Elliott is accustomed to the pressure and drama of big-time sporting events. But even for a NASCAR champion, the production and energy of the Super Bowl were on another level.
“It was reminiscent of racing at Daytona for the 500,” Elliott said. “Everything is so dialed in, every detail is set, and the vibe in the air is just unbelievable. The environment was incredible. Seeing some of the things that you don’t get to see on TV when the camera’s not there, it was really cool. I loved it, and I thought they did a great job,” Elliott said. “Honestly, that’s a lot to do. It was good. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that has the chance to go, I think you should definitely take it.” Much as is the case with a championship NASCAR race, the Super Bowl needed every individual involved—that is the players, coaches, and production crews—to be at their best.
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 18: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, 2024 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
And for Elliott, watching the Chiefs lose was his prize. Although the driver is a longtime fan of Josh Allen, after the Buffalo Bills went out of contention, he turned his attention to the Eagles. “With that being said, the Chiefs are always tough, but I’m pulling for the Eagles. I’d like to see them win. I’m getting some head nods in the back. I love it.” And it’s not just Elliott happy to see the Eagles win. A lot of NFL fans just wanted to see the end of Patrick Mahomes and Co.’s dominance.
For a high-speed, high-stakes driver, the Super Bowl brought an alternate source of adrenaline. Still, when all was said and done, Elliott’s bottom line was plain to see—every aspect of the Super Bowl was, according to his terminology, “over the top.” And coming from a NASCAR champion, now that counts for something.
Chase Elliott takes the aerial route after the Super Bowl
For Chase Elliott, there is no limit to speed—except, perhaps, in the air. The NASCAR sensation has always had a deep passion for aviation as a challenge, a means of challenging himself and staying alert. Now, he’s taken his interest to new heights by upgrading from his 2006 Cessna Citation 525B to an even newer 2013 model.
Flying is something that comes naturally to Elliott. His father, NASCAR icon Bill Elliott, also had a pilot’s license. In 2015, he formally gained his wings, employing flight as a way to learn more outside of motorsports. As he once described it, “The flying thing for me has always been just a way for me to continue to challenge my mind and to try and better myself in an educational way. Kind of to supplement the fact that I didn’t go to college and I didn’t go to school.”
Elliott did not waste any time using his new jet. After Super Bowl LIX, in which he witnessed the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, he left New Orleans in style. But there was a difference this time—this time, he was not alone. His new plane, worth $5.695 million, is a major upgrade from his old jet. Inside, the enhancements include an upgraded interior, improved cabin pressure, and more sensitive flight controls, resulting in a smoother, more sophisticated flight experience.
“Yeah, so he flew down there Friday and departed really late after the game Sunday evening. He had one co-pilot with him, so it looks like he won’t be flying it solo anymore,” Aviate Alabama’s Brian said. “He had also just come back from Flight Safety International in Orlando to get type-rated in the plane.”
But no matter if he’s ruling the race track or flying through the skies, one thing is certain: Chase Elliott never stops reaching for new heights.
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