Chase Elliott, a standout driver for Hendrick Motorsports, has disclosed his reasons for not participating in the All-American 400 this season, providing clarity during a recent interview with NASCAR journalist Steven Taranto. The Chase Elliott All-American 400 situation arises as Elliott steps aside after learning that Jake Garcia had already taken the opportunity with Ricky Turner’s team.
Elliott Steps Aside as Jake Garcia Commits to the All-American 400
Chase Elliott had previously expressed his interest in driving for Ricky Turner in the upcoming All-American 400. However, he did not initially realize when the event was scheduled. Elliott noted that, unlike prior years when the event was held in early to mid-October during the active Cup Series season, this year the event takes place after the Cup Series finale. After learning the timing, Elliott reached out to Ricky Turner to inquire about competing, only to find that Jake Garcia, the defending champion, had already committed to running the event for the team.
After this development, Elliott decided to withdraw and allow Garcia to continue with the opportunity. Reflecting on the decision, Elliott stated:
“I don’t, honestly, right now. We had talked about the All-American at a couple different points, but I think it was after you mentioned it to me, actually, because I had no idea. Typically it was always like in early October or mid-October, and our season’s always been going on. But anyways, inquired about it. I had interest. I love The Fairgrounds.”
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
“Jake was pretty committed to doing it and wanted to do it. He had kind of got there first. That was totally fine. But I don’t have any plans or really haven’t talked about anything past that,” he concluded.
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Additionally, Elliott mentioned that Garcia will also race for Turner in the Snowball Derby. Looking forward, Elliott is undecided about his own racing commitments but indicated he might participate in the Cordele SpeedFest in January 2026. As of now, he plans to make a final decision by next month, depending on how his schedule unfolds.
Elliott Weighs In on Potential 2026 NASCAR Playoff Changes
In a separate interview in September 2025 before the Darlington race, Chase Elliott spoke with journalist Dalton Hopkins about the much-discussed rumors surrounding NASCAR’s 2026 playoff format changes. The current structure—known as the 3-3-3-1 format—features three races in each round with a total of four drivers fighting for the title in the final race. With NASCAR possibly looking to revise this to keep fans engaged and freshen up the championship battle, drivers’ opinions have become a focus of conversation.
Elliott gave his thoughts on the proposed changes, commenting:
“I think it would be better than what we have… Because you just have a larger amount of races at around to decide. You know, it could, it would, seemingly, would give an opportunity to, you know, have something that’s totally out of somebody’s hands, not completely derail their championship. What is now, you know, their shop. So, it seems like, is it perfect? Probably not. But I would say that that sounds better.”
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Elliott has built his reputation at Hendrick Motorsports, first joining in 2015 as a part-time driver with the #25 Chevrolet. He advanced to a full-time role, driving the #24 in his second season before moving to the #9 car in 2018. Throughout his tenure, Elliott has become known for his competitive performances and has captured the attention of fans across events such as the Cup Series and prestigious races like the All-American 400.
What Elliott’s Decision Means for the All-American 400 and Beyond
Elliott’s decision not to participate in this year’s All-American 400 directly supports Jake Garcia’s opportunity to defend his title with Ricky Turner, reinforcing the competitive spirit within the sport. With Garcia also taking part in the Snowball Derby and Elliott considering a future entry at Cordele SpeedFest, the landscape of prominent late model events continues to evolve with high-profile drivers adjusting schedules to accommodate team commitments and emerging talent.
As NASCAR looks toward possible changes in the playoff format, input from experienced competitors like Chase Elliott will continue to shape the conversation within the sport. Fans and stakeholders will be watching for further announcements regarding both Elliott’s appearances outside the Cup Series and the official direction of the 2026 playoff rules.
Chase Elliott says he inquired about running the All American 400 for Ricky Turner after I brought up in August that it was after the Cup season ended, but Jake Garcia was already committed to drive Turner's car. Elliott has no other offseason racing plans as of now.
Cordele… https://t.co/erJa3aJJkF pic.twitter.com/pLnvlG1wpS
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) November 6, 2025
