Chase Elliott win ends drought after 44 races, with the Hendrick Motorsports driver securing a much-needed victory at Atlanta, thanks to strong support from his loyal crew. Elliott, now poised for back-to-back wins, credited his team for helping him stay resilient during his difficult streak, as he looks ahead to the next NASCAR Cup Series challenge at Chicago Road Course.
Loyalty and Teamwork Propel Elliott to Victory
For nearly two years, Chase Elliott had not found his way to the top step of the podium. The weight of a 44-race winless run was heavy, but the Dawsonville native emphasized that unwavering support from his Hendrick Motorsports crew helped him endure the drought. Before the race at Atlanta, Elliott noted how much doubts and speculation surrounded him, yet the consistent dedication from his team made a difference.
Elliott shared with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio how valued he felt thanks to the commitment of the No. 9 crew members, some of whom have worked closely with him over a decade. He pointed out that building these kinds of enduring working relationships has not only helped him succeed but has also shaped his career during his nine full NASCAR Cup seasons. In Elliott’s words:
“You know, it’s not every day that you encounter people like that that just have your back no matter what,”
Chase Elliott said.
“And I just think that those things should be celebrated and those things should be, you know, emphasized and held on to as long as everybody’s willing to do it.”
—Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
This sense of camaraderie stands out in NASCAR, where driver-mechanic bonds can be pivotal. Elliott added that it is rare to find a group so loyal and knowledgeable:
“It’d be hard-pressed to find a group of people that knows you better than the folks that have been loyal to you and had your back for this entire time. So, you know, certainly grateful for that,”
he added. —Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Elliott Eyes More Success as Playoffs Approach
With the Atlanta win, Elliott moved into second place in the driver standings, trailing only his Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron by 37 points. The victory instantly placed him in strong playoff contention for the NASCAR Cup Series. The next event, The Grant Park 165, takes place on June 6 at Chicago Road Course. The race will be broadcast on TNT at 2 p.m. ET, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Notably, Elliott’s teammate Alex Bowman, another key Hendrick Motorsports driver, is the defending winner at this road course event and is still seeking postseason qualification this year.
Tense Moments and Unpredictability at Atlanta Motor Speedway
The recent Atlanta Motor Speedway race that ended Chase Elliott’s drought was memorable not just for his win but for one of the biggest crashes of the 2025 season. More than 20 vehicles became involved in a major wreck on Lap 69, forcing a temporary race suspension as officials cleared the 1.5-mile quad oval. Even pole-sitter Joey Logano was eliminated from contention by the incident.
The Atlanta circuit was redesigned in 2021 to foster superspeedway-like conditions, including increased banking. However, Elliott remarked that this change did not alter the track’s character for him. He explained his perspective on the track’s unique challenges:
“It hasn’t really changed a ton. I don’t know if you experienced this, but really, probably the last three races there, I feel like the first run is super sketchy, for whatever reason.”
—Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
According to Elliott, the first laps at Atlanta have consistently felt unstable and difficult for drivers, which was highlighted again after the big accident this season. He elaborated on the challenging car setups and early-race nerves:
“This time even more so than it has been, it was so, you know — everybody’s so far into the corner of having the back of the cars down, and superspeedway-esque setups. We started that first run of the race and I’m like, ‘Man, we have messed up,’ you know, bad,”
Elliott added. —Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Looking Ahead to Chicago and Season Outlook
With his drought over, Elliott enters Chicago as a strong contender, while the rest of the Hendrick Motorsports team continues to pursue postseason berths. As of now, Alex Bowman remains the only teammate yet to clinch a playoff spot. The upcoming race at Grant Park 165 could see further shakeups in the standings, with attention centered on how Elliott, William Byron, and Bowman will perform on the challenging road course. The intensity and unpredictability seen at Atlanta have set high expectations for another dramatic race, potentially impacting the rest of the season for these leading drivers.
