Questions have arisen about the significance of Chase Elliott‘s latest Cup Series victory in Atlanta, casting uncertainty on expectations for the remainder of his season. The topic of Chase Elliott Atlanta win doubts gained fresh urgency after a well-known NASCAR analyst expressed skepticism regarding the No. 9 team’s overall performance and confidence levels.
An Impressive Atlanta Win Raises Questions Instead of Answers
Chase Elliott, who was crowned the 2020 Cup Series champion, clinched the win in Atlanta last weekend. This secured him a playoff spot, though his season-long consistency—with finishes always within the top 20—had nearly guaranteed qualification by points alone. The victory, however, was only his second since his triumph at Talladega back in 2022, which has prompted observers to look closely at the bigger picture.
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic highlighted that Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Kyle Larson and William Byron, have noticeably outperformed the 2020 champion over the past two seasons. The context of Elliott’s win, when compared with his teammates’ recent dominance, led Bianchi to question whether it represented a true turnaround or just a fleeting high point. Notably, the No. 9 team has faced ongoing scrutiny since clinching the title in 2022, with many believing they have not capitalized on their full potential since then.
NASCAR Analyst Expresses Reservations About Elliott’s Team
During a post-race episode of The Teardown, Bianchi shared frank concerns about the state of Elliott’s team and its prospects in high-pressure scenarios.
“It’s great that they won but winning one race last year zero races in 2023 and just one race right now like is that is that good enough for being [up there].”
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
“I don’t feel like, I don’t have the confidence in them that they’re ready to do that. I don’t see them rolling off like if this team has a bad race and they’re in a point hole and they’ve got to go and win a race to advance do you feel confident enough that they could do that? I don’t.”
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Bianchi’s comments reflect a broader sense of frustration and disappointment, with concerns that—despite the celebrations in Atlanta—the team still lacks the consistency and composure required to be championship contenders. Comparing Elliott’s performance to that of fellow drivers like Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Kyle Larson adds weight to the argument that one victory does not necessarily indicate a resurgence.
Lingering Uncertainty for Elliott Despite Playoff Spot Secured
While Elliott’s Atlanta victory delivered a welcome morale boost, other significant moments during the Cup Series weekend, such as Denny Hamlin’s demotion and penalties impacting several top drivers, created a tense environment across the NASCAR community. Not only does Elliott face pressure from within his own team, but competitors such as Brad Keselowski—whose last-lap misfortune underscored the unpredictable nature of racing—highlight just how competitive the field remains.
Looking at the road ahead, the stakes remain high. Observers and fans alike will be watching to see if Elliott and the No. 9 team can translate a single win into sustained form, or whether concerns about confidence and consistency will continue to shadow the former champion as the playoff battles intensify.
