Chase Elliott is on track to reclaim his role as the leading force at Hendrick Motorsports, as observed by NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., who sees Elliott’s consistent performances setting him apart. After overcoming recent setbacks, including an injury and two challenging seasons, Elliott’s resurgence has supporters and insiders convinced he is destined to be the Chase Elliott main guy HMS narrative for years ahead.
Elliott’s Journey Back to the Top at Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott’s strong showing in the 2025 season signaled a significant turnaround for the Hendrick Motorsports driver. Returning from setbacks that followed his 2022 regular-season championship and a severe leg injury, Elliott managed to prove himself again among NASCAR’s elite. He took home two race victories, secured 11 top-five finishes, and reached the top ten in nineteen races, culminating in eighth place on the points table. He did so with an average finish of 12.6—better than fellow teammate and champion Kyle Larson, who posted a 13.2 average. Larson may have taken the championship, but Elliott’s statistical consistency has not gone unnoticed by key figures within the organization and the sport.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer and respected voice in the racing community, recognized Elliott’s resurgence as a return to form. He praised both the driver’s consistency and the Hendrick team’s improvements throughout the 2025 campaign, suggesting this was the type of performance they’d been aspiring to see from Elliott and the No. 9 Chevy.
“Chase Elliott is a champion, and before Larson, he was the guy at Hendrick. I’m still holding out. You know, I hope that he gets himself back to the top. They got some work done in that regard this year. I saw some consistency and performance in that team that I think they’ve been looking for.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., via Dale Jr. Download podcast
This supportive sentiment from Earnhardt Jr. underscores Elliott’s ability to inspire both fans and onlookers, particularly after an arduous journey back from injury and a downturn in form. His improved statistics and relentless drive have positioned him as a favorite to lead Hendrick’s Cup efforts again as the next season approaches.
How NASCAR’s Playoff Changes Could Benefit Consistency-Driven Drivers
With NASCAR considering new changes to its playoff format for the 2026 season, focus has sharpened on which drivers might stand to gain the most. Earnhardt Jr., reflecting on this prospective shift, explained how such changes could boost someone of Chase Elliott’s abilities, placing heightened value on consistent performance over sporadic peaks.
Should NASCAR expand the sample size at the season finale or lengthen the decisive playoff round, drivers who avoid mistakes and deliver steady results—like Elliott—could benefit substantially. The Hendrick Motorsports driver’s proven capacity to string together consecutive strong performances makes him a logical contender for capitalizing on any altered format.
“I think that the format change could really help that team. No matter whether it’s 3-3-4 or just straight 10, it’s all the same to me…I think that, you know, Chase is definitely a guy that you could look at as somebody who could put together the 10 races needed to be right in the mix going into Homestead.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This observation highlights how Elliott’s resilience and approach could mesh perfectly with a structure rewarding reliability across more playoff races. As Earnhardt Jr. points out, those qualities could determine which drivers progress to the ultimate championship race at Homestead and beyond—reaffirming Chase Elliott’s chance to become the main guy at HMS.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Team Faces Uncertainty at Daytona
As the 2026 season kicks off at Daytona, attention remains not only on HMS but also on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s own racing interests. His JR Motorsport team is making its second start in the Cup Series, focusing on a superspeedway like Daytona. Earnhardt Jr. admitted that this prospect causes him more anxiety than Elliott’s pursuit of success, especially with Justin Allgaier behind the wheel and JRM running as a part-time Cup entry.
“I’m nervous because we’re going to have a new body. Anytime a manufacturer gets a new body, they don’t go to Dyatona and perform better. You’re figuring out kind of what makes that body perform at a track like that.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Part of the reason for Earnhardt Jr.’s caution is the unveiling of updates to the Chevy Camaro ZL1. Historically, manufacturers hope that body style changes bring them closer to the front of the field, but the reality can be more complicated. Launching a new body often requires time for teams to unlock its potential, and less established or part-time entries can find it challenging to optimize performance out of the gate.
“I don’t know details, I just shoot it straight. Every time a manufacturer changes the body, they’re trying their best in every way, when a new body is coming in, to make their cars more competitive at the tracks that we race the most.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
For Earnhardt Jr., the performance of JRM at Daytona not only affects the individual race outcome but also carries implications for his longer-term ambitions. A strong outing could motivate him to bring the Earnhardt name back as a regular presence in NASCAR’s top division, reigniting brand legacy and increasing competition at the highest level.
The Outlook for Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, and Rising Contenders
The passion surrounding Chase Elliott’s journey underscores growing anticipation for the 2026 NASCAR season. The support of figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. adds weight to the belief that Elliott can again become the main guy at HMS, leveraging his consistency during times of transition both for Hendrick Motorsports and the sport at large. With the possibility of revamped playoff formats and new manufacturer designs in play for Daytona, the coming year could see significant shifts in the NASCAR landscape.
Elliott’s recent comeback, his ongoing drive for greatness, and the encouragement from peers and mentors place him at the center of attention. Whether the changing landscape favors the consistent approach championed by Elliott remains to be seen, but the ingredients for another standout chapter in his already impressive NASCAR career appear firmly in place.
