Chase Elliott arrives at New Hampshire Motor Speedway knowing his championship hopes depend on grit as much as speed. The Round of 16 has already tested him with a 17th at Darlington, a podium at Gateway, and a crash-filled 38th at Bristol. Now, facing a 27th-place starting spot for the race, the 2020 Cup champion is ready to scrap for every point. Loudon’s flat, tire-chewing mile will demand patience, precision, and the fight Elliott says he is willing to give.
Key Highlights
- Chase Elliott starts 27th at Loudon after an up-and-down Round of 16.
- Bristol crash adds pressure as Elliott battles to stay in the playoffs.
- Hendrick teammates William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson all qualified ahead, led by Byron in 5th.
- Elliott averages a 14th-place finish in 11 Loudon starts but seeks a first win at the track.
- Tire management and pit strategy expected to decide the outcome.
Determined Despite Setbacks
Elliott’s playoff run has been anything but smooth. A gritty climb from 21st to 17th at Darlington and a strong Gateway podium were undone by Bristol’s chaos, where a Lap 311 crash ended his night. New Hampshire offers little margin for error, but Elliott remains defiant.
“Just grind it out, man. Try to keep the right tire on it and make the most of whatever it is. Will fight to death.” – Chase Elliott
That resolve will be vital. Tire wear and long green-flag runs can punish even the smallest miscalculation. Elliott’s 14th-place average finish across 11 starts at Loudon shows he understands the track’s demands, but he still chases that elusive first victory in the Next Gen era.
Practice and Qualifying Challenges
The weekend opened with practice laps that revealed modest pace. Elliott’s best time ranked 20th at 30.047 seconds, offering only a baseline for overnight adjustments.
“I thought we were respectable in practice. Unfortunately, that was what it was, but, yeah, maybe it’ll be better tomorrow.” – Chase Elliott
Qualifying brought another hurdle as he settled for 27th on the grid. While not ideal, the No. 9 Chevrolet has proven capable of moving forward when strategy and caution breaks align. Hendrick Motorsports’ collective strength could also provide a lift, with teammates ready to set the tone near the front.
With the truck race right before qualifying, the playoff drivers did media after practice/qualifying (typically they have a choice of before or after). Chase Elliott after qualifying 27th: pic.twitter.com/rnAW2JVeFW
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 20, 2025
Hendrick Strength in Numbers
Hendrick Motorsports continues to showcase its depth at Loudon. William Byron’s fifth-fastest qualifying lap, just 0.214 seconds off the pole, underscores the team’s mastery of one-mile tracks. Alex Bowman, amid off-track business changes, delivered a solid seventh-place start, while Kyle Larson took 16th. Hendrick’s record 83 top-10 finishes at New Hampshire speaks to a history of competitive setups and sharp strategy. If Elliott can thread through traffic, Hendrick could once again blanket the top 10 by day’s end.
Penske Pressure Up Front
The fight will not be easy. Team Penske holds the front row after Joey Logano captured pole and Ryan Blaney secured second. Both drivers have shown speed and the ability to manage tire wear, making them formidable opponents. For Elliott, that means working carefully through a field packed with contenders while conserving tires for the late stages. Patience, pit calls, and timely cautions will determine whether his bold vow translates into a season-saving result.
News in Brief: Chase Elliott Issues Fierce Warning to Rivals With Bold Loudon Vow
Chase Elliott begins the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway from 27th after a turbulent Round of 16 featuring a 17th at Darlington, podium at Gateway, and a crash at Bristol. With an average finish of 14 across 11 Loudon starts, Elliott aims to overcome poor qualifying through tire strategy and persistence. Hendrick Motorsports fields strong teammates led by William Byron in 5th, while Penske drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney start up front.
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