Chase Elliott’s switch to No. 9 in the NASCAR Cup Series came with the crucial involvement of Dale Earnhardt Jr., as revealed by Elliott during a recent podcast appearance. The transition, rooted in both family legacy and team changes at Hendrick Motorsports, has shaped a significant part of Elliott’s career trajectory as he continues to race competitively in 2025.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s Role in the Number Change
Chase Elliott, who began his Cup Series journey with Hendrick Motorsports in 2015, detailed on the BobbyCast podcast with Bobby Bones how Dale Earnhardt Jr. influenced his decision to transition to the iconic No. 9 car. Elliott started as a part-time driver and by the following year earned a full-time position, eventually securing a Cup Series title in 2020. His early seasons saw him driving different numbers: the #25 in his debut year and Jeff Gordon‘s famed #24 in 2016 and 2017, before switching to the number closely tied to his family’s racing roots.
The No. 9 holds deep personal significance, as Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, also raced with this number throughout his career, beginning with Elliott Racing. This familial history made the prospect of returning to No. 9 especially meaningful for Chase.
Describing the events that led to the switch, Elliott shared how Dale Earnhardt Jr. prompted him to seize the opportunity at the right moment:
“When we had some switch-up at Hendrick, I think in 2018 was the year, there was actually—Dale Jr. really deserves credit for the number switch from my perspective, because he’s like, ‘Hey, if you’re going to make this change,’ and kind of knew I wanted to do it, even though I never really said. He was like, “Hey, you need to speak up about this right now because you probably aren’t going to have another opportunity to do it.” He knew there was some change coming.” —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Elliott further recounted how this advice pushed him to approach Hendrick Motorsports management. With Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s encouragement, Elliott reached out regarding the switch, which eventually led to getting approval from the legendary Richard Petty:
“Yeah, so I kinda, thanks to his nudging, I reached out to the boss and was like, ‘Hey, what do you think about doing this, or can we do this? Is this even possible?” Somebody had a conversation with Richard Petty, and he said, “Hey, you can have it. We’re not using it. Totally yours. You have family ties to this number, and it’d be really cool for you guys to take it if that’s what you want to do.” So, the ‘King’ let us have it, and we ran with it, which is pretty neat the way it all worked out,” Elliott concluded. —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
With the blessing from one of NASCAR’s most iconic figures and a nod from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott made the move back to the number steeped in his family’s history, an action that resonated deeply with both his personal identity and his supporters from Dawsonville, Georgia.
A Strong Start to the 2025 Season
Currently, Chase Elliott is enjoying a solid performance in the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series season. His notable top-10 result at Daytona International Speedway provided momentum as he heads into the highly anticipated Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, scheduled for Sunday, August 31, 2025. The forthcoming 367-lap event will be broadcast nationally on USA, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Insights on Perseverance: Elliott’s Mindset After Early-Season Challenges
Earlier this year, Elliott engaged in a candid discussion with Dale Earnhardt Jr. during an interview on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, reflecting on difficulties faced while searching for a win after his early-season victory. Despite winning the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium—a non-points exhibition race—Elliott endured a prolonged winless stretch until his triumph in the second Atlanta Motor Speedway event of the year.
During their conversation, Elliott outlined the internal drive and team dynamics that helped him push through the challenges:
“Man, we’ve just been doing this long enough to know, like, it all kind of starts and ends with us. We have to make sure we’re doing our part, and I’m doing my part and just bringing everything I can possibly bring every single week. It’s the honest conversations that we have on Monday mornings that are either going to make us better or make us fail. All of the pieces of the puzzle are there. We’re working on the right things. I think I’m asking for the right things out of the car. I’m really proud of our team for just sticking together.” —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
This perseverance is reflected in Elliott’s current standing: seventh in the Cup Series points with a total of 2,013 points. Over 26 races, he has recorded one victory, 13 top-10 finishes, and seven top-five results, leading 385 laps with a season average finish of 11.962. These achievements demonstrate not only his talent but his strong partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, as well as guidance from industry figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his own family legacy.
Looking Ahead for Elliott and No. 9
The Chase Elliott switch to No. 9 continues to be a defining moment in his career, intertwining the personal significance of his family’s racing number with new achievements on track. As Elliott prepares for the remainder of the 2025 season and high-profile races like the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, all eyes remain on the Dawsonville native and his #9 Chevy, symbolizing both heritage and potential for future successes in the NASCAR Cup Series.
