Chase Elliott put on quite a show at the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver executed his race strategy flawlessly in the closing laps, ultimately finishing second—a personal best this season, aside from his victory at Texas Motor Speedway earlier in the year. Despite Kyle Larson’s complete dominance—leading 462 out of the 500 laps—Elliott’s performance showed that on a different day, the 2021 champion could have had a real fight on his hands.
With the NASCAR playoff round of 12 just around the corner, one key question is surfacing: is Chase Elliott gaining momentum at the perfect time? A prominent NASCAR insider seems to think so, hinting that Elliott’s Bristol performance could be a sign of things to come as the Cup Series enters its most crucial stretch. Could this be a turning point for the No. 9 team?
Chase Elliott Defies the Odds at Bristol
Heading into the race at Bristol’s iconic 0.533-mile concrete oval, few would have predicted Chase Elliott finishing runner-up. Qualifying was less than ideal for the 28-year-old. He secured ninth place on the grid, trailing drivers like Corey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar. In fact, Elliott was the lowest-ranked Hendrick Motorsports driver at the end of Stage 1, completing the opening 125 laps without making significant gains in track position. Stage 2 wasn’t much better, as he barely scraped into the top 10, highlighting his struggles to pass competitors in his No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro.
But as any seasoned NASCAR fan knows, races can change in an instant, and that’s exactly what happened. In the final 250 laps, Elliott turned things around, taking full advantage of long green-flag runs to move up the field. He crossed the finish line in second place—his highest non-victory finish of the year. NASCAR insider Brad Gillie praised Elliott’s grit on the GoPRNLive podcast, saying, “He’s always been really strong at Bristol. He’s had chances to win, and while those slipped away in the past, Saturday night was different.”
Gillie went on to highlight how Elliott’s recent consistency could be the key to unlocking success in the playoffs: “What they did at Bristol is exactly what they’ve been doing all season. They’ve been consistently finishing inside the top 20, with most of those being top-10 finishes. That win at Texas was great, but Saturday night at Bristol was probably the closest they’ve come since then to showing they had winning speed.”
Kyle Larson’s Bristol Dominance: Can Anyone Stop Him?
While Elliott impressed with his late-race surge, the night truly belonged to Kyle Larson. Larson’s performance at Bristol was nothing short of a masterclass. From the moment the green flag waved, he was the man to beat. Navigating traffic like a seasoned pro, Larson’s No. 5 Chevy remained nearly untouchable, despite Elliott and the rest of the field sharing identical setups. After Elliott snatched second place from Denny Hamlin on lap 338, he simply didn’t have the pace to close the gap on Larson. Larson’s dominance was overwhelming—he led a staggering 92% of the race, leaving the competition with little opportunity to mount a serious challenge.
Larson’s Bristol win adds yet another chapter to his impressive 2024 campaign. He came into this race fresh off a victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and his hunger to keep winning was evident from the start. Qualifying second behind Hendrick teammate Alex Bowman, Larson made quick work of the field, winning both of the first two stages with ease. His complete control of the race left everyone else, including Elliott, fighting for second place.
Elliott Praises Larson’s Performance
Despite their rivalry, Chase Elliott was full of admiration for Larson’s stunning Bristol victory. In a post-race interview, Elliott was quick to commend his teammate’s incredible driving. “Kyle was on another level tonight,” Elliott admitted. “From the start, he was just in control. It was his race to lose, and he didn’t give anyone a chance.”
Larson’s Bristol dominance speaks volumes about his skill and determination. He not only led the vast majority of the race but did so with such confidence that it almost seemed inevitable he would walk away with the win. As Larson continues to rack up victories, he’s clearly positioning himself as a favorite in the upcoming playoff rounds.
What’s Next for Elliott?
While Elliott couldn’t dethrone Larson at Bristol, his performance certainly turned heads. As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the final seven races, Elliott’s consistency could prove to be his greatest asset. Though he’s not had the season many expected, he’s quietly been building momentum. His second-place finish at Bristol could serve as the spark the No. 9 team needs to make a serious run at the championship.
As the playoffs loom, one thing is clear: Chase Elliott is finding his rhythm, and if his performance at Bristol is any indication, he’s not done fighting. Whether he can carry this momentum forward and challenge for a spot in the final four remains to be seen, but if there’s one thing NASCAR fans know, it’s that anything can happen. And with Elliott in the mix, the next seven races just got a whole lot more interesting.
