NASCAR is filled with legendary numbers, each representing moments and milestones, and the Jeff Gordon NASCAR legacy is among its most enduring. On August 27, 2025, Chase Elliott spoke up candidly about the traditions of car numbers, explaining how he moved out of Gordon’s shadow and onto his family path, giving detail to a saga that remains at the heart of the sport’s history.
The Historical Power of NASCAR Numbers
In NASCAR, numbers are far more than painted digits. They signify deep stories and carry the heritage of the sport’s greatest heroes. The No. 3, instantly associated with Dale Earnhardt—the Intimidator—stands out as a signal of dominance from the black GM Goodwrench Chevrolet, a machine that brought Earnhardt six Cup championships and the bulk of his 76 career wins. Following his shocking passing at Daytona in 2001, Richard Childress Racing retired the car for over a decade, safeguarding the symbol out of respect and reverence.
Similarly, the No. 24 carries with it the unmistakable legacy of Jeff Gordon. His rainbow DuPont Chevrolet did more than win races—it changed NASCAR’s image, injecting a West Coast flair into a classic Southern scene. With four championships and 93 wins, Gordon elevated the 24 to iconic status. When he retired in 2015, the transition to Chase Elliott created intense anticipation. Elliott piloted the 24 for two seasons before the torch was passed to William Byron, who now keeps the winning tradition alive with playoff appearances and trophy runs. Both numbers have become inseparable from their respective legends, echoing stories every time they appear on track.
Add to that the No. 43, forever linked with Richard Petty—The King—whose 200 wins and seven championships remain milestones even outside fan circles. Known for the distinctive Petty blue Dodge and Plymouth cars, the 43 has hosted other drivers, such as John Andretti, Bobby Hamilton, Aric Almirola, and Bubba Wallace, since Petty’s era. Despite their earnest efforts, nobody has regenerated the car’s era of supremacy, but its place in NASCAR folklore remains secure.
Decisions Behind the Numbers: Elliott’s Perspective
The selection process behind each racing number in NASCAR involves more than personal preference. Sometimes it’s dictated by pure luck, at other times a consequence of team arrangements or historical significance, and rarely, destiny steps in. As teams own the numbers, drivers may not always get their preferred digits, creating a unique mix of practicality and tradition. Speaking about his own journey, Chase Elliott recently pulled back the curtain on how he navigated the weight of Gordon’s legacy and eventually found the chance to carve his own family tradition with the No. 9.
Chase Elliott Describes His Entry Into the 24
During a revealing conversation on the Bobbycast podcast, Elliott detailed how numbers fall to drivers, underscoring the importance of team decisions in the allocation.
“That could be a and I could be a number of different ways for some people. It could just simply be what your favorite number is and you might have had the option or the choice to pick. You definitely can’t have two cars the same number. The teams own the numbers you know basically. So you know the drivers work for the teams that field the cars more or less.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
He pointed out that teams, not drivers, hold the actual rights to car numbers. NASCAR leases these numbers to organizations, who then see them as pieces of business, icons, and tradition. For example, Richard Childress Racing’s treasured stewardship of the No. 3, or the way Petty Enterprises holds tight to the 43, shows that numbers can act like family heirlooms. Even powerhouse teams like Joe Gibbs Racing hold their exclusive symbols in high regard, evidenced by their restricted use of the No. 11 since Bill Elliott’s own run in 1992. In most cases, drivers must adapt to the numbers assigned by their respective organizations, building history on what’s granted rather than chosen.
Moving Beyond Gordon: Elliott Sets His Course
Reflecting on his step into the 24, Elliott recalled that there was nothing preordained about inheriting Gordon’s iconic car, but he accepted the seat without hesitation.
“Like in my case when I came into racing cup and I’ve been with Hendrick Motorsports throughout my whole career. Jeff Gordon was retiring right so I came in the next year I was I was filling in. You know filling the spot filling the open seat so the 24 was the car that I stepped into for those first couple years. I had no tie to the number 24 or anything but you know that was that was what it was and I you know nobody asked and obviously I was fine with anything at that point.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
When Gordon brought his Cup career to a close in 2015, he left behind not just a number but a legacy that demanded respect. Elliott, arriving from an Xfinity Series championship, was given the immense responsibility. Without any prior attachment to the 24, he was simply the right driver for an open seat at Hendrick Motorsports. He quickly demonstrated his skill, earning Rookie of the Year in 2016 and finishing in the top 10 in points—evidence that the number can endure with new hands behind the wheel, no matter the history.
Choosing the No. 9: A Return to Family and Roots
But as Elliott’s career advanced, so did his opportunity to embrace a more personal symbol.
“Now later on down the road I had an option and you know nine was my favorite number and nine. You know I had some family ties to and made a lot of sense so I got to switch so most of the time I would say it’s more whatever team you’re driving for. If they already have a number that’s fielded or a number that’s been around for a while, you typically kind of get assigned that number. It just kind of happened. The stars are lined up really perfect for me to end up with the nine that that I run now, but that’s not. I wouldn’t say that happens very often and I was kind of surprised that it even happened in my case.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
In 2018, Hendrick Motorsports made a strategic reshuffling of numbers among its drivers. William Byron took over the 24, and Elliott was able to adopt the No. 9—a figure loaded with personal and family significance. His father, Bill Elliott, had won the Cup championship in 1988 and racked up 44 career wins in that very car, and Chase himself had conquered the Xfinity Series in 2014 with the same digit. With the number swap, Chase honored the Elliott family’s winning history, and almost immediately, the results followed: his maiden Cup win came at Watkins Glen, and within two years he mirrored his father’s championship achievement with his own Cup title in 2020. Through this move, Elliott was able to bridge NASCAR‘s modern era with generations past, balancing his own ambitions with the demands of tradition.
Modern Legacy Bearers: Byron and the 24 Keep Shining
With Chase Elliott moving to the No. 9, the proud 24 continues to thrive under William Byron. Byron’s driving has brought the car back to the upper echelon of the sport, netting critical wins and making regular playoff appearances. He’s distinguished his tenure by building on, yet not imitating, the Jeff Gordon NASCAR legacy, offering fans new moments worthy of the storied number. Byron’s performances, combined with the memory of Gordon, keep the 24 in the limelight for another generation of followers.
These ongoing stories ensure the emotional and historical stakes behind iconic numbers remain relevant. New drivers add layers, while the echoes of legends such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Petty continue to define how every fan experiences the sport today. The debate about inheritance, identity, and legacy gets relived each season, but it is Chase Elliott’s account that underscores how sometimes, fate rewards the patient with the chance to make history on their terms.
Daytona Controversy: Elliott in Playoff Drama
Just as numbers carry weight, team dynamics often stir up passions in the heat of competition. In the 2025 Daytona playoff race, Ryan Preece’s championship hopes evaporated after a chaotic finish, leading him to accuse Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson of coordinated blocking to help Alex Bowman secure the final playoff spot for Hendrick Motorsports. The situation arose on Lap 158, when Preece, boxed in by Elliott and Larson and with little drafting support, saw his path to victory slip away as the leaders broke ahead.
Preece voiced his outrage in no uncertain terms after the race:
“If I had a Ford behind me, we would’ve won that race. I mean, I know why they did it. They did it so the 48 couldn’t get knocked out. Motherf***er!”
—Ryan Preece, RFK Racing driver
Preece’s anger was fueled by playoff mathematics. If a new winner like Daniel Suarez, Justin Haley, or Cole Custer had taken the checkered flag, Bowman could have been eliminated from playoff contention. Yet as the dust settled, Bowman clinched the final spot on points, while Preece was left outside looking in. While Elliot and Larson’s intentions remain debated, the incident highlighted the fragile alliances and emotional outbursts typical in NASCAR’s postseason chase.
The Lasting Impact of Number Choices and Team Tactics
Elliott’s journey from inheriting the daunting No. 24 to claiming the storied No. 9 is more than a career arc—it is a testament to NASCAR’s broader narrative. These battles, controversies, and choices preserve the sport’s intensity and connect its modern faces to generations past. New stars like William Byron foster continued respect for foundational figures such as Jeff Gordon, while rivalries and partnerships on the track add fresh emotion to each season’s playoff drama.
As fans, drivers, and teams look ahead, legacy numbers and team strategy will remain at the heart of the NASCAR spectacle. The decisions drivers like Chase Elliott make, both on and off track, keep the spirit of icons alive while ensuring that new chapters get written every time the engines roar to life. In the end, balancing reverence for history with the courage to forge a different path is what gives NASCAR its true, passionate pulse.
