Chase Elliott Marks His 300th Cup Start: Chase Elliott is ready to mark a remarkable milestone as he gears up for his 300th NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a venue where his skill and perseverance have consistently shone. This achievement not only testifies to his resilience and talent but also highlights his steadfast loyalty to Hendrick Motorsports, a collaboration that has propelled both parties to new heights. Elliott’s track record at Charlotte, featuring a win and numerous top finishes, reflects his growth and enduring influence in the sport.
Key Highlights
- Chase Elliott will celebrate his 300th NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- Elliott’s record at Charlotte includes one win, three runner-up finishes, and 338 laps led in 12 starts.
- The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte is the longest race on the NASCAR calendar.
- Elliott has 19 victories and a 2020 Cup Series championship in his career.
- Elliott’s loyalty to Hendrick Motorsports has been crucial to his success.
Milestone Achievement
Marking a significant milestone in his career, Chase Elliott will celebrate his 300th NASCAR Cup Series start this Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the iconic Coca-Cola 600. This achievement not only highlights Elliott’s consistency and durability as a driver but also showcases his evolution since his debut in the series. Starting his career with considerable promise, Elliott has steadily built a reputation as one of NASCAR’s premier competitors, known for his adept driving skills and strategic expertise on the track.
Elliott’s path to this milestone has been characterized by a series of remarkable performances and notable victories. As the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, his career includes successes on diverse circuits, from superspeedways to road courses, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability. This 300th start is a reflection of his enduring presence in the sport and demonstrates his ability to compete at a high level consistently.
The Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, serves as a fitting backdrop for Elliott’s milestone. Held at the historic Charlotte Motor Speedway, this race is a true test of endurance and skill, spanning 600 miles, making it the longest race on the NASCAR calendar. Elliott’s participation in such a prestigious event further enhances the significance of his 300th start.
Interestingly, Elliott is the next Hendrick Motorsports driver to achieve this milestone in recent weeks, following teammate Alex Bowman, who made his 300th start at Dover Motor Speedway in April. This coincidence highlights the depth of talent within the Hendrick Motorsports team and showcases Elliott’s prominent role within the organization.
Loyalty to Hendrick Motorsports
As Chase Elliott prepares for his 300th NASCAR Cup Series start, his steadfast loyalty to Hendrick Motorsports stands out as a defining aspect of his career. Since his debut, Elliott has been a constant presence within the team, a rarity in motorsports where drivers often switch teams in pursuit of better opportunities. This strong commitment to Hendrick Motorsports is not just a validation of the team’s faith in Elliott’s abilities but also a reflection of Elliott’s dedication to the values and culture established by team owner Rick Hendrick.
“I don’t know how long my career will go, but I would love to spend it all here. This has been the only home I have ever known in my NASCAR career, which is really cool. I owe everything I have to Rick (Hendrick), the opportunities and my life, just every bit. It’s been a lot of fun. To be able to call one place home and drive for one guy is a big deal to me. 300 (starts) is wild to think about with a 38-race season. We’ve been around longer than you think.” – (Elliott)
The 28-year-old driver, has often expressed his desire to remain with Hendrick Motorsports for the entirety of his career. ‘I don’t know how long my career will go, but I would love to spend it all here,’ Elliott shared with HendrickMotorsports.com. This genuine sentiment highlights the strong bond he shares with the team, which has been crucial in shaping his professional path. The mutual respect and trust between Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports have fostered an environment where he can thrive, both on and off the track.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Chase Elliott’s illustrious career is punctuated by significant milestones, including 19 victories, 98 top-five finishes, and a 2020 Cup Series championship. These achievements highlight his status as one of NASCAR’s premier drivers. Elliott’s consistency and skill have been further emphasized by his 158 top-10 finishes and 12 pole positions, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level across different tracks and conditions.
Elliott’s crowning achievement came in 2020 when he captured the NASCAR Cup Series Championship, a reflection of his talent and resolve. His championship run was marked by clutch performances, particularly in the playoffs, where he secured victory in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway to secure his title. This success solidified his place in NASCAR history and affirmed his potential to dominate the sport for years to come.
In addition to his championship, Elliott has reached the Championship 4 in three consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2022, demonstrating his remarkable consistency and competitiveness. His partnership with crew chief Alan Gustafson has been crucial in these accomplishments, as their synergy has translated into strategic excellence on the track. Moreover, Elliott has led a total of 5,226 laps in his Cup Series career, highlighting his ability to dominate races.
Origin of His Racing Journey
Elliott’s path to becoming a premier NASCAR driver began long before his championship successes, rooted in his early exposure to racing through family connections and grassroots experiences. From a young age, Chase Elliott was enveloped in motorsports, thanks to his father, Bill Elliott, a NASCAR legend. This intimate connection to the sport provided Chase with a unique vantage point and invaluable learning opportunities that few young drivers have the privilege to experience.
“It’s been about 12 years since my relationship with Rick (Hendrick) began. At the time, I was racing down in Pensacola (Florida) a lot, south Alabama and the Panama City area. Through happenstance, James (Finch) spent a lot of time with Eddie Mercer, who ran a lot of Super Late Model races back then. I was racing against him and we were fortunate to be successful and running well. James was around, he was watching and he saw it. My understanding was he had mentioned something about me to Rick a couple of times. They had some conversation and then Rick reached out to Dad (Bill Elliott) about wanting to sit down and meet.” – (Elliott)
As he matured, Chase’s talent became undeniable, attracting the attention of influential figures in the racing world. One such figure was James Finch, a seasoned car owner in the Cup Series and a mainstay in grassroots racing. Finch played a significant role in Elliott’s early career, facilitating critical opportunities that would eventually lead him to the upper levels of NASCAR.
“I got out of school one day and we came up here. The boss picked us up from the airport and came over here. It was late, after hours and nobody was here. He gave us a tour of the facility and showed us around. We went and sat down in his office. He said, ‘I don’t know how to help, but I want to help and let’s just see where it goes.’ That was it. We just had a brief conversation and off we went. He started helping a little bit here and a little bit there.” – (Elliott)
“Fortunately, all the stars aligned. Jeff (Gordon) was stepping away (after the 2015 season). Thanks to Rick and his involvement at JR Motorsports, we had a couple of good years in (NASCAR) Xfinity (Series). NAPA coming on board when they did. All the stars have aligned but it originated with James, his relationship with the boss and being around the Southeast when we were late model racing. Those are the years that opened up the door to be here.” – (Elliott)
For two years, Elliott raced for JR Motorsports and won the 2014 NASCAR Xfinity Series. In 2015, he drove five Cup races for Rick Hendrick in the No. 25 Chevrolet. Then, from 2016 to 2017, he drove the famous No. 24 Chevrolet. His first race in that car, he won the pole position for the Daytona 500.
Elliott switched to driving the No. 9 Chevrolet in 2018, a number that’s important to the Elliott family because his dad, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill, drove it for most of his career. Chase got his first Cup Series win at Watkins Glen International after coming in second place eight times in the Cup races.
“It was a memorable day and one that I’ll never forget. Your first win — at least for us — was hard to get. We had a tough road to that first win. It meant a lot to us because of that.” – (Elliott)
Reflecting on Career Milestones
Reflecting on his career milestones, the evolution of Chase Elliott from a promising young talent to a NASCAR Cup Series champion is marked by significant achievements and standout performances. Elliott’s progression in the NASCAR Cup Series has been nothing short of remarkable, characterized by consistent success and a determined drive to excel.
Elliott’s breakthrough came in 2018 and 2019, where he displayed his potential by securing three victories in each season. These back-to-back three-win seasons solidified his status as a formidable competitor in the series.
However, it was in 2020 that Elliott truly excelled, showcasing his championship-caliber skills. He clinched two wins during the regular season and surged in the playoffs, winning three of the final five races. This exceptional performance included a victory at Martinsville Speedway, which secured his spot in Championship 4 for the initial time. Elliott’s crowning achievement came with a decisive win at Phoenix Raceway, earning him his inaugural NASCAR Cup Series championship.
“The week between Martinsville (Speedway) and Phoenix (in 2020) was just wild. Just how fast everything shifted from being on the outside looking in to going to Phoenix and having a shot. We were hot at the right time and it worked out well for us. That was a big day for us because that is what you set out to do every year and there is only one guy who gets to go home and feel like the job is actually done. It was an extremely special moment and a really big deal.” – (Elliott)
In 2021, Elliott won two races and made it to the Championship 4 again. Then, in 2022, he had his best season yet, winning five times and becoming the regular-season champion. Unfortunately, a fractured tibia caused him to miss six races, and he didn’t make it to the driver playoffs for the first time in his career. However, he led the No. 9 team to the Round of 8 in the owner playoffs. This season, Elliott won at Texas Motor Speedway, showing he’s still got what it takes to compete for championships.
In his 12 starts at the 1.5-mile track, Elliott has achieved one victory (in May of 2020), three second-place finishes, five top-fives, six top-10s, and led for 338 laps. Only seven drivers have won in their 300th Cup Series start, and Elliott aims to be the eighth. Don’t miss his 300th start on Sunday, May 26, at 6 p.m. ET. You can catch the action on FOX, PRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
News in Brief: Chase Elliott Marks His 300th Cup Start
Elliott’s 300th NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway represents a career marked by consistency, dedication, and significant achievements. This milestone not only highlights his individual talent but also emphasizes the successful partnership with Hendrick Motorsports.
With a record of one win, numerous top finishes, and over 300 laps led at the 1.5-mile track, Elliott’s path reflects a profound impact on the sport, solidifying his status as a key figure in NASCAR history.
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