Chase Elliott 2026 championship hopes have intensified following a strong performance throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, positioning him as a major contender at Hendrick Motorsports as the new season approaches. Building on a productive partnership with Rick Hendrick and impressive results, Elliott aims to surpass tough rivals and energize the title race in 2026.
Elliott’s Resurgence and Hendrick’s Confidence
While much of the NASCAR spotlight focused on Denny Hamlin’s campaign in 2025, Chase Elliott was methodically paving a path back to championship contention for the upcoming season. With 21 victories in the past ten years and the 2020 title to his name, Elliott’s long-term alliance with Rick Hendrick has fortified his reputation as a dependable performer. Having sustained consistency at age 30, his achievements make him a clear favorite for Hendrick Motorsports, yet he recognizes the importance of advancing beyond consistency to truly contend for the title.
During the 2025 season, Elliott secured two essential victories in Atlanta and Kansas, signaling a substantial improvement over previous years. Notably, this marked the first time since 2022 that he registered multiple wins in a single season. His campaign also included 100 top-five finishes and 19 top-ten finishes, proving his sustained competitiveness within top-tier racing. Elliott, along with fellow Hendrick drivers, qualified for the playoffs, reinforcing his team’s ability to challenge for another championship.
His performance improvements were far from coincidental; Elliott showed significant progress over the course of the season. Despite a slow start, he managed to finish most races strongly, achieving a 12.61 average finish across the year. This upward trend bolsters expectations for a successful title run in 2026.
“The way I’ve kind of progressed through the playoffs this year is just to fight as hard as I can each week, try to earn myself and our team three more weeks, and you never know what can happen in three weeks,”
Chase Elliott shared about his playoff journey earlier in the season.
By combining his renewed momentum with consistent top performance, many in the NASCAR community believe that Chase Elliott stands positioned to contend fiercely for the championship as the next season begins.
Kyle Larson’s Triumph and the Inner Team Race
Kyle Larson captured headlines by dramatically clinching his second Cup Series championship in 2025, overtaking Denny Hamlin on the final lap at Phoenix for his first title since 2021. This victory not only reignited Larson’s legacy but also set the stage for a spirited internal rivalry. Heading into 2026, speculation is mounting over whether Elliott can surpass Larson within Hendrick Motorsports and reestablish himself as the team’s leading force.
Elliott’s trajectory saw him as the third top performer among Hendrick’s lineup, with both Larson and William Byron outpacing him in the standings this past year. The internal competition within Hendrick Motorsports is expected to intensify as all drivers return with championship ambitions, triggering excitement surrounding how Elliott’s renewed approach could position him ahead of his celebrated teammates.
Highlights of Elliott’s 2025 Season
Chase Elliott’s campaign in 2025 was marked by two key victories in Atlanta and Kansas. Not only did these wins boost team morale, but they also demonstrated the gains he made over recent seasons. With a playoff berth secured and a season filled with top-five and top-ten finishes, Elliott showcased a blend of determination and skill that caught the attention of rivals and fans alike.
This resurgence was underlined by his statistical achievements: over 100 career top-five finishes and a marked improvement in consistent race results. The playoff run revealed his resilience, and his twelve-plus average finish signaled a driver returning to elite form. Elliott’s presence in the postseason, coupled with his on-track adaptability, reaffirmed his position in the elite ranks entering 2026.
Biggest Obstacles on the Road to the Title
Chase Elliott won’t have an easy path to the 2026 championship, given the array of strong competitors on the Cup Series circuit. His eighth-place finish in 2024 already demonstrated his ability to outperform much of the field, but a cluster of drivers remains formidable adversaries.
Within the Hendrick Motorsports stable, both Kyle Larson and William Byron have set the bar high, finishing above Elliott in 2025. Surpassing his own teammates will be pivotal, as internal competition for supremacy will likely fuel his motivation and strategic approach in each race.
Denny Hamlin, determined to rebound after a narrow loss in 2025, stands as another serious obstacle to Elliott’s title quest. Hamlin’s track record and hunger for redemption will add extra intensity to their rivalry throughout the year. Further, Ryan Blaney is poised to inject additional unpredictability into the season, emerging as another key contender capable of challenging for top honors.
The collective strength in the Cup Series, especially among championship-caliber drivers, means Elliott must bring his best skills and consistency to every event if he hopes to fulfill his title ambitions.
What Lies Ahead for Elliott and NASCAR Fans
The anticipation ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is high, with the opening race at Daytona set to reignite rivalries and championship dreams. For Chase Elliott, the upcoming campaign represents an opportunity to convert the progress and lessons from 2025 into a full-fledged title run at Hendrick Motorsports. As NASCAR’s dedicated fan base watches on, the unfolding competition promises drama, close battles, and possible history-making moments.
Should Elliott continue to evolve and surpass the formidable drivers lined up beside him, he has the potential to Cement his place as a leading champion once again. With fierce competitors like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney pushing their limits, and with enthusiastic sports fans keeping close track, the stage is set for a highly charged and unforgettable NASCAR season in 2026.
