As NASCAR heads back to Pocono Raceway for the upcoming Great American Getaway 400, a moment from 2002 showing Chase Elliott celebrating his father Bill Elliott‘s victory at the track has resurfaced, capturing widespread attention online. This resurfaced image highlights the legacy and family bond at the heart of the sport, as Chase Elliott celebrates father Bill Elliott’s 2002 Pocono victory just days before taking on the same circuit himself.
Elliott Legacy Shines at Pocono and Beyond
Back in 2002, when Bill Elliott took the checkered flag after a rain-shortened 175-lap contest at the Pennsylvania track, his six-year-old son Chase was there in victory lane to join the celebration. Bill, driving the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports—a team formed after he sold his own racing team to Ray Evernham—started from pole position and outdueled Sterling Marlin to secure the first of his two wins that NASCAR Winston Cup season. Chase’s mother, Cindy, was also present, capturing a true family affair that has become memorable for Elliott fans.
The touching father-son scene from victory lane, recently posted by NASCAR Classics on X as the series preps for another battle at Pocono’s 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle,” rekindled feelings among fans and emphasized the generational ties central to stock car racing. “Soaking it all in,” NASCAR Classics wrote. —NASCAR Classics, Social Media
Bill Elliott would go on to earn his 44th and final career victory the following year at Rockingham Speedway before stepping away from full-time racing. His career highlights include the 1988 Winston Cup championship and eventual induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015.
Chase Elliott Readies for Another Shot at Pocono
Now grown and an accomplished racer in his own right, Chase Elliott is returning to Pocono Raceway for the Great American Getaway 400, following his third-place result in NASCAR’s inaugural Mexico City race. The upcoming 160-lap event is slated to begin June 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET, marking another pivotal moment in Chase’s ongoing pursuit of a win this season.
Driving the #9 car for Hendrick Motorsports, Chase is still aiming for his first victory of the year but sits comfortably fourth in the overall points standings, which keeps his playoff hopes secure. His competitive consistency—evident in four top-five and eight top-ten finishes without a single DNF—underscores both his growth and focus as a driver, while reminders of his childhood at the track provide thoughtful perspective.
Family Influence at the Heart of Fan Recognition
Chase Elliott’s journey through NASCAR continues to be shaped by the groundwork laid by his family, most notably his father Bill and grandfather George, who fielded a NASCAR team during the 1970s. Last season, Chase was once again recognized as the Most Popular Driver, an award he feels is deeply tied to family values and the example set before him.
“If you do have the honor to receive the award, I think it’s just representing that the right way, and by right way I mean by the way I think they would wanted to be represented. Really for me, that’s all I care about because they laid the foundation for me to be here and to have some of the opportunities that I’ve had throughout my career,”
the 2020 Cup Series champion said in an interview at the NASCAR Awards Banquet in Charlotte. —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
His appreciation for fan support remains strong as he continues his career.
“Certainly grateful for the fans across the board, they’ve been great to me throughout my career. I’ve had the fortunate experience of seeing all that, living all that first hand, it means a lot to me, I’ll never take it for granted,”
he added. —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Bill Elliott still leads the Most Popular Driver award history with 16 titles, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. has 15, Richard Petty has 9, and both Chase and Bobby Allison have secured seven each. Since Dale Jr. retired from NASCAR’s premier series in 2017, Chase has continued the Elliott family tradition of connecting with fans and making a mark in stock car racing’s history books.
Heritage and Anticipation Surround Pocono Weekend
As Chase Elliott returns to the site of his earliest racing memories, the ongoing story of the Elliott family’s influence in NASCAR takes another step forward. With legacies forged by Bill Elliott’s champions and victories, and Chase’s evolving role as both a competitor and fan favorite, the renewed buzz around his childhood Pocono moment illustrates the timeless relationship between family, fans, and the sport itself. This enduring connection lays the groundwork for both on-track competition and off-track inspiration as the Pennsylvania race draws near.
