Chase Elliott’s hopes for another championship run ended at Martinsville on Sunday, as a third-place finish wasn’t enough for him to advance in the NASCAR Cup Series, marking another difficult Chase Elliott Martinsville elimination. Competing for Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott missed out on the championship finale in Phoenix after being outpaced by his teammate William Byron and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney.
A Heartbreaking End to a Promising Season
Despite a strong season featuring multiple victories and a spirited drive at Martinsville, Elliott could not secure a win in the penultimate race of 2025. The Hendrick Motorsports driver finished third, trailing William Byron and Ryan Blaney, who ultimately clinched the crucial win to secure their spots for Phoenix. Elliott maintained composure post-race, acknowledging both the progress and the heartbreak experienced by his team throughout the demanding campaign.
Reflecting on the outcome, Elliott stated,
Just came up a little short. It was a good effort. Really proud of the No. 5 throughout the week and everybody at the shop for bringing their very best.
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver. He underscored the determination and speed his team demonstrated, finishing fourth in both Stage 1 and Stage 2, though this performance was not enough to make the final cut.
Elliott addressed specific hurdles faced during the race, noting,
I thought that we showed signs of life there at different times. Got caught a lap down in that cycle. That really hurt us, but it ultimately just needed to be a little better. A tick better.
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver. A key moment in the race was when Elliott managed to reclaim third place from Ross Chastain in the final laps, yet this effort could not overturn the overall playoff scenario.
This marks the third consecutive year Elliott has not reached the Championship 4, despite previously making three straight appearances at the Phoenix finale from 2020 to 2022. The 2025 season, however, served as a notable comeback for him, as he consistently showed speed and competitiveness, giving fans hope for the next campaign.
Hopes Rest on Fellow Hendrick Motorsports Drivers for the Championship
With Elliott’s elimination, fellow Hendrick Motorsports drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson move forward into the Championship 4. Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin, who represent Joe Gibbs Racing, round out the finalists. Elliott expressed pride in his team’s persistence and voiced his hopes for the remaining Hendrick drivers to capture the title.
He conveyed his mixed emotions following the outcome, saying,
I hate it. We’ve been here, been on both sides of the fence. This is never fun, but we had some of our best races over the last month, I felt like, pace-wise, which I think is encouraging going into next year. I hate that we have to wait a year, again, for the opportunity, but proud of the fight, and hopefully one of the two guys can get it done next week.
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver. Elliott’s remarks highlighted his strong desire to see either Byron or Larson bring home the championship trophy for their team.
A Look Ahead to the Phoenix Title Showdown
The upcoming finale at Phoenix Raceway will feature intense competition between Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, as well as between the manufacturers Chevrolet and Toyota. With the Championship 4 set — Byron, Larson, Briscoe, and Hamlin — fans anticipate an exhilarating finish to the 2025 season. The deciding race is scheduled for November 2 at 3 p.m. ET.
Though this Chase Elliott Martinsville elimination is a setback, Elliott’s consistent performance throughout the season and his unwavering determination suggest he will return as a formidable contender in 2026. His resolve, the support of Hendrick Motorsports, and the lessons learned this year could provide the momentum he needs for another title run in the future.
.@chaseelliott is proud of the speed the team has been showing despite missing the cut for Phoenix. #NASCAR
Presenting Partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/asJthf67ah— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) October 26, 2025
