Chase Elliott recently shared his gratitude for making it into the NASCAR playoffs, while also expressing sympathy for drivers who didn’t qualify. Elliott, who narrowly missed the playoffs himself in 2023, reflected on how his own challenges have made him more appreciative of his position. The driver of the #9 Chevy acknowledged that success in NASCAR isn’t something that can be taken for granted, especially considering the competitive nature of the sport.
Elliott’s journey through NASCAR has been a notable one. Now entering his 10th year in the sport, he has built an impressive career, with 28 victories, a championship in 2020, and a regular-season title in 2022. Despite these achievements, Elliott faced significant hurdles just a year after his regular-season championship. In 2023, he endured multiple setbacks, including a tibia injury that caused him to miss several races, and a one-race suspension, both of which contributed to him missing playoff qualification that season.
This year, however, Elliott managed to break a 42-race winless streak with a victory at Texas Motor Speedway, marking a significant comeback. When asked by Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass about his thoughts on being back in the playoff media session after not qualifying last year, the 28-year-old driver offered a thoughtful response. Elliott admitted that while it doesn’t necessarily feel drastically different, his recent experiences have given him a renewed perspective on the importance of staying grounded and appreciating the opportunities he has.
“I can’t really say it feels a whole lot different,” Elliott remarked. “And I think the reason for that is we’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of it for a number of years, and those are things that you don’t take for granted. The way the points unfolded this season is really a good reminder of that — to not take it for granted — because there were some great drivers and teams that missed this year.
“And it wasn’t because they necessarily had, you know, abysmal seasons; it’s just the way the cards unfolded. So yeah, you never really know how things are going to shake out. That’s why you have to stay focused and not let the ups and downs get to you. I’ve been on both sides of it, and this year I’m thankful to be here again.”
Elliott now enters the playoffs with a chance to replicate the championship success he achieved in 2020, and with 10 races ahead of him, he has plenty of opportunities to make that goal a reality.
Jeff Gordon, NASCAR legend and Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, has also expressed confidence in Elliott’s potential to secure another championship this year. Gordon, who is closely involved with the team, highlighted the strength and consistency of Elliott’s performances throughout the regular season, despite only securing one victory.
Throughout the first 26 races of the 2024 season, Elliott has managed to stay out of trouble, finishing consistently in strong positions and avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued some of his rivals. He concluded the regular season ranked seventh overall, and at one point even led the points standings, despite only having one win to his name.
Gordon praised Elliott’s approach to racing, explaining that consistency is key to winning championships. “It’s the way he thinks, the way he races, and the way he executes. I think right now, if I just look at who’s the most solid championship-caliber team, I think it’s them. Because, OK, they might not have the laps led and the number of wins, but they also don’t have the DNFs. They’re always in this third-to-seventh range almost every weekend, and that’s strong,” Gordon noted. His comments reflect a deep understanding of what it takes to be successful over the course of a grueling NASCAR season.
Comparing Elliott to his competitors, Gordon pointed out that while some top drivers have secured more wins, they’ve also experienced more setbacks. For example, Kyle Larson, the current leader in the driver standings, has recorded four DNFs (Did Not Finish) this season, while other leading drivers like Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, both tied for the second-highest number of wins with three each, have also struggled with DNFs — Hamlin has six, and Bell has four. These DNFs can be costly, as they prevent drivers from accumulating points crucial for playoff positioning.
Elliott, in contrast, has only failed to finish one race during the regular season, which has helped him stay competitive despite having fewer victories. His ability to avoid significant trouble and consistently place in the top ranks has positioned him as a strong contender for the championship, even if his stats in certain areas, like laps led or total wins, don’t seem as impressive at first glance.
As the playoffs progress, Elliott will be looking to leverage that consistency and avoid the mistakes that have derailed the campaigns of other top drivers. With 10 races to go, Chase Elliott has plenty of opportunities to once again raise the championship trophy, and with the support of his team and racing icon Jeff Gordon, he appears well-prepared to make a run for the title.
