Chase Elliott’s persistent challenge to end his 42-race winless run in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series remains one of the biggest stories as he prepares for his home event in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite consistent performances throughout the season, Elliott explains the missing piece that stands between him and victory—shedding light on his quest to break the Chase Elliott 2025 NASCAR winless streak and return to Victory Lane.
Elliott’s Consistency Amid a Lingering Drought
Throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup season, Chase Elliott, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, has experienced a mix of frustration and hope. Since his win at Texas in 2024, he has managed to deliver consistently strong finishes, including nine top-10s in seventeen races without a single “Did Not Finish.” His lowest result to date is 20th, and he kicked off the season with a win at the Clash event in Bowman Gray Stadium, signaling promise for the year ahead.
Despite these efforts, the coveted checkered flag has remained out of reach. Elliott’s closest brush with victory came in Mexico City, where he secured a third-place finish. Meanwhile, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, such as Kyle Larson and William Byron, have celebrated multiple wins, amplifying the spotlight on Elliott’s elusive triumph. The recurring question is: what’s holding back NASCAR’s fan favorite from victory?
The Final Piece: Unlocking More Speed
According to Chase Elliott, he is missing just a fraction of additional speed to convert his consistent performances into a win. He emphasizes that it is not an issue with the No. 9 Chevy or the resources at Hendrick Motorsports, but rather the need for extracting “a little bit more pace” from the car to bridge the final gap to first place.
“I think just have a little more pace, honestly. Just a little bit. There’s been so many pieces of the puzzle that I’m really proud of that I feel like we have… and just getting that last little bit. But I think the cool thing about where our team’s at right now is I just think we’re really solid.”
—Chase Elliott, via Frontstretch
The conviction comes with the knowledge that the team itself is running on all cylinders. Elliott is surrounded by strong crew work and strategic calls, especially from his crew chief Alan Gustafson. The star driver readily admits that responsibility now falls to him to extract that minuscule but crucial additional performance behind the wheel.
“I think I can do a little better job for my team to just extract a little bit more pace. They’re doing a great job over the wall. I think Alan’s been calling great races.”
—Chase Elliott
The pressure has only built as supporters and former racers, like ex-driver Kyle Petty, openly urge Elliott to find his way back to the top step of the podium for the benefit of his massive fanbase. Yet, the underlying sentiment remains optimistic that the breakthrough is within reach if that final adjustment can be made.
Anticipation Builds for the In-Season Tournament Duel
As the regular season intensifies, attention is turning to the much-anticipated in-season tournament, which offers a $1 million reward to its victor. Chase Elliott will open his campaign against rival Austin Dillon of Richard Childress Racing, a matchup drawing significant buzz among NASCAR fans and experts alike.
“No, not yet. Austin and I get along pretty good usually. I’m excited about it, though. I think it’ll be something good to talk about throughout the year and throughout the summer… and kind of give people a little something extra to watch after.”
—Chase Elliott
This new format injects added intrigue, especially as Elliott and Dillon prepare to face off. The Atlanta native believes that the ongoing tournament battles will offer the NASCAR community a compelling narrative through the summer, further engaging his supporters and onlookers during the mid-season stretch.
While on-track rivalries often spill into pre-race banter, Elliott revealed that he and Dillon have yet to commence any notable trash talk, though he hints that the opportunity could arise during the weekend’s event. However, being known for his composed demeanor, Elliott suggests that spirited exchanges may be limited.
“We haven’t started trash-talking yet, but maybe Saturday. We’ll see how it goes. But I’m looking forward to it. I think the fans will get into it as well.”
—Chase Elliott
The depth of the challenge, however, weighs in Elliott’s favor. Dillon’s current struggles with Richard Childress Racing stand in contrast to Elliott’s steady form, setting the scene for a matchup where the Georgia native is widely considered the favorite. NASCAR enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if Elliott’s momentum in the tournament translates into renewed confidence—and, possibly, a breakthrough win.
Outlook: Breaking Through the Barrier
As Chase Elliott enters the Atlanta race and the in-season tournament, the sport’s focus is firmly on his pursuit of ending the Chase Elliott 2025 NASCAR winless streak. With strong team support, diligent preparation by Alan Gustafson, and unwavering determination, the smallest increment of added speed could be all that separates Elliott from his next Cup Series victory.
The coming weeks present Elliott the chance to silence doubts and reaffirm his place among NASCAR’s elite. If that elusive “more pace” is unlocked, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR fans in Georgia, and viewers nationwide may witness the end of one of the sport’s longest current winless streaks—potentially restoring Mr. Most Popular to his winning ways at long last.
