Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 gained unique significance after Dale Earnhardt Jr. influenced the number change for the young driver at Hendrick Motorsports, a story recently shared on the Dale Jr. Download podcast. The revelation highlights how Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s timely intervention, alongside cooperation from Rick Hendrick and others, cemented Elliott’s connection to the No. 9—a number long tied to his family’s racing legacy.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Influence Makes the Switch Possible
On a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflected on his involvement in helping Chase Elliott switch to the famous No. 9 at Hendrick Motorsports. Although Elliott initially hesitated to discuss changing car numbers directly with Rick Hendrick, Earnhardt Jr. recognized how much the number meant to Elliott and offered to bridge the gap.
Elliott, a native of Dawsonville, Georgia, began his Cup Series journey with a part-time schedule for Hendrick in 2015, before taking over Jeff Gordon‘s No. 24 Chevy for two seasons as a full-time competitor. In 2018, Elliott made the pivotal move from the #24 Chevy to the #9 Chevy, marking a major moment both in his career and for his family’s NASCAR heritage. The No. 9 was not just another number for Elliott; his father and racing champion Bill Elliott raced with the same on numerous occasions, making it a link to family accomplishments and tradition.
Approaching the change required the blessing of several elders in the sport. Richard Petty gave his personal approval before the switch, recognizing the tradition behind the number. Dale Earnhardt Jr., aware of Elliott’s reservations, spoke with Rick Hendrick to advocate for the transition, relaying his conversation to Elliott and saying:
“I called Chase back. I’m like, dude, I talked to Rick. He’s open to the idea. I said, ‘I’m serious.’ You need to get in front of him and see if y’all can figure it out. So, um, yeah, cuz I knew down in there somewhere that that’s really truly what he wanted, but he didn’t want to disappoint Jeff and Rick.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Earnhardt Jr. further emphasized his emotional connection to helping Elliott secure the number:
“It was good for everybody. But, um, you know, and he’d ran the nine here, and nine had been his number, right? So, um, yeah, so I was, I was, what small role I played in sort of kicking the ball down the hill. I was happy to do because Chase, I wanted that for Chase, you know, he’s doing, he’s living his dream racing, and, and, uh, you know, it’s just too good of an opportunity for it not to be perfect.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Chase Elliott’s Performance and Playoff Standing in 2025
Elliott’s return to the No. 9 proved significant as he became one of the mainstays for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series. With 3,013 points so far, Elliott now stands seventh in the 2025 playoffs, a testament to his resilience and skill. His playoff spot was clinched after breaking a lengthy winless streak at the season‘s second Atlanta Motor Speedway race, demonstrating his potential to rebound under pressure.
For the 2025 season, Elliott, driving the No. 9 Chevy Camaro ZL1, has achieved 14 top-ten finishes and eight top-five results. These statistics reflect not only consistency at the top level but ongoing progress after a challenging stretch without victories.
Breaking the Winless Streak: Honest Conversations with Earnhardt Jr.
In July 2025, amidst his return to victory lane, Elliott joined Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download to discuss the emotional toll of his winless period, which extended from early 2024 at Texas Motor Speedway until the breakthrough in Atlanta. Elliott was upfront about the challenges and growth that come during tough seasons, highlighting the importance of open discussions with his team, stating:
“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.” – Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Elliott credits open communication and a relentless work ethic for the recent turnaround. The collaborative atmosphere within Hendrick Motorsports, supported by influential figures like Rick Hendrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and veteran drivers such as Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, fosters continuous improvement for drivers including Elliott and Ryan Blaney.
Lasting Impact of Dale Jr.’s Support and the No. 9 Legacy
Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows firsthand the pressures and prestige of driving for Hendrick Motorsports, having driven the No. 88 Chevy from 2008 to 2017. His career with the North Carolina-based team included nine victories, 73 top-five results, 139 top-tens, and eight pole positions across 340 races, establishing him among the most consistent drivers of his era.
The partnership that enabled Elliott to reclaim the No. 9 not only honored a personal and family tradition but also set the stage for him to forge his path as a championship contender in the Cup Series. As Elliott moves forward in the 2025 playoffs, the legacy and history of the No. 9 car continue to motivate both driver and team. With strong leadership from Rick Hendrick and the ongoing influence of legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chase Elliott’s story demonstrates how tradition and teamwork fuel success in modern NASCAR.
