Chase Elliott, the recognized Hendrick Motorsports driver and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, openly identified Matt Kenseth as his NASCAR idol during a 2021 interview segment. Elliott shared admiration for Kenseth’s remarkable performance on pit road and highlighted the crucial role the “Killer Bees” pit crew played throughout Kenseth’s career. Reflecting on this, Elliott described his own challenges and the ongoing effort needed to excel in pit stops, an aspect he believes is vital to racing success.
“Man, that is tough. I’m trying to think of someone who has been kind of an outlier in a certain area. One that I always admired was Matt Kenseth. I don’t feel like he ever got enough credit for getting on and off pit road. For years, they used to call his pit crew the Killer Bees. And they just killed it on pit road. But Matt had a lot to do with that. As time went on and we started getting these timesheets (that broke down pit road entry/exit and pit stop times), Matt was at the top of the board.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series champion
“I really think at the time he was maximizing things on pit road that other guys weren’t doing… So that’s been an area I feel like I need to do a better job. And it’s a tough thing to maximize, because you miss pit road and you’ve really hurt yourself bad”, he added.
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series champion
Milestones in Chase Elliott’s NASCAR Achievements
Discussing Chase Elliott NASCAR achievements, his career has seen a steady climb since he entered the top tier of the sport. Elliott secured the NASCAR Cup Series title in 2020, ranking as the third-youngest driver to earn this championship. By the midway point of 2025, his record boasted 19 Cup Series wins, which include seven victories on road courses, establishing his reputation as a road-course specialist. Beyond wins, Elliott has more than 100 top-five and over 170 top-10 finishes, and he has earned 21 career poles. Earlier in his career, Elliott captured the 2014 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship with three wins that season, demonstrating his early prowess in stock car racing.
His accomplishments also include memorable performances such as his 2021 Road America win. In that race, Elliott started in 34th position and carved through the field to secure victory, further cementing his standing as a formidable competitor in both traditional and road-course events.
Road-Course Success and Consistency on the Track
Chase Elliott’s 2021 season was marked by consistency and high performance while defending his NASCAR Cup Series title. He claimed victory at Circuit of The Americas and at Road America, with the latter win achieved in dramatic fashion from deep in the starting lineup. His impressive run that year featured 15 top-five finishes, 21 top-10 results, and a personal best average finish of 11.4, illustrating continued advancement in his racing craft. Elliott led 952 laps throughout the season, showcasing both speed and race management.
He returned to the Championship round for a second consecutive year, entering the finale at Phoenix Raceway as the top seed among the title contenders. Despite leading 94 laps during the crucial race, he ended up finishing fifth, ultimately placing fourth in the final standings behind his three rival title drivers. The result ended his shot at joining Jimmie Johnson as back-to-back Cup champions, but underlined his status among the sport’s elite competitors.
Chase Elliott Shares Thoughts on Attempting the Indy’s “Double”
After his teammate Kyle Larson endured a crash during Indianapolis 500 practice, Chase Elliott addressed questions about whether he would consider attempting the legendary “Double,” which involves racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Elliott was clear about his feelings on the matter, noting he lacks enough understanding of IndyCars and prefers to support fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver Larson rather than pursue the unique but challenging feat himself.
“A little, but not much. You know, as they said earlier, they unfortunately had another crash today, which, you know, sucks, and I hope they can fix it. I don’t really know how those cars work…So looking forward to keeping up with it hopefully next week. In between, yeah, running around on race day morning, but yeah, wish them the best and looking forward to keeping up,” Elliott said (via AYTL Media)
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series champion
Elliott emphasized that the risks and demanding nature of attempting both races in one day require an extraordinary level of preparation and focus. As such, he remains dedicated to maintaining his performance in the NASCAR Cup Series rather than seeking new challenges outside his comfort zone.
The Lasting Impact of Chase Elliott’s NASCAR Legacy
Chase Elliott’s transparency regarding his NASCAR idols and his self-assessment in areas like pit road mastery reveal the mindset driving his enduring achievements. As he continues to add to his list of milestones, Elliott’s blend of respect for the sport’s history, commitment to improvement, and competitive edge reinforce his place among NASCAR’s premier drivers. His career trajectory and focus on his own campaign will keep fans and analysts watching as he pursues further titles and potentially shapes the next generation in NASCAR, standing alongside figures such as Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, and current championship contenders.
