Chase Elliott, the prominent Hendrick Motorsports driver and Cup Series champion, is preparing to chase another victory at the upcoming Cook Out Clash exhibition in North Carolina. While looking ahead, Elliott recently admitted that his highly celebrated 2024 win was far closer to slipping away than many realized, setting a pensive tone as he eyes another strong showing and seeks to leverage momentum for his playoff campaign. The focus keyword, Chase Elliott NASCAR win, becomes significant as he reveals how the celebrated victory nearly eluded him.
Elliott, widely regarded as NASCAR’s most popular driver, led 171 laps at Bowman Gray during last year’s Clash. Dominating most of the race, he maintained a steady command over the field except for 29 laps. Yet, he recently shared candid insights that the outcome could have been dramatically different had the event lasted just a bit longer. He credited tough late-race pressure from drivers like Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and then-defending Cup champion Joey Logano as factors that nearly derailed his hopes in the final laps.
Challenging Finish Despite Leading Most Laps
Elliott discussed the twists and turns that almost cost him the win as the laps wound down. Reflecting on the challenges, Elliott remarked how narrow the margin was by the end, especially as Blaney mounted a strong late charge similar to his well-known performances at Martinsville.
“Take the win out of the equation. I thought it was really a well-done event, thought it suited the Clash well from a location standpoint,”
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Elliott’s lead did not translate to an easy victory. The pressure intensified as the checkered flag approached, and by his own admission, an additional ten laps could have seen a very different winner.
“I was kind of going the other way, so glad it wasn’t how many laps is that race [200]? I’m glad I wasn’t 210 because I’d have probably been in trouble,”
he said. The narrow victory bucked the perception that he breezed to the finish, as he refuted claims of total dominance after pacing the field for so long.
Lingering Impact of Weather and Scheduling Changes
The upcoming Cook Out Clash has already faced challenges before the green flag drops. Initially delayed by historic snowfall in North Carolina, the event shifted from its original Sunday date to Wednesday, complicating schedules for teams, drivers, and organizers. Despite these hurdles, Elliott is not concerned that the changes will affect his or his team’s readiness for the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s marquee event.
“I would disagree just from the standpoint of the Clash used to always be Saturday night the week before Daytona,”
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
He continued, noting the logistical difference of the current location in Winston-Salem compared to prior years, and played down the likelihood that the delay would disrupt preparations for the season opener at Daytona. Cars remain impounded in a building in Winston-Salem, which limits any adjustments teams can make in the interim.
Anticipating the Season’s Biggest Race
The season-opening Daytona 500 is considered the crown jewel of NASCAR, drawing the top drivers including Elliott, William Byron, and their chief rivals. William Byron’s current streak of consecutive Daytona victories adds additional urgency for Elliott and his peers to dethrone the reigning winner. Concerns were raised about the impact of such delays on team logistics and car readiness, but Elliott remains confident in their ability to adapt and compete at a high level.
“So, I honestly don’t really know that it’s changed a lot from that perspective, and other than maybe the haulers getting turned around from you know different parts and pieces that you would take to the clash versus taking to Daytona might be a little different.”
— Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Despite disruptions caused by the weather and changing schedules, preparations for Daytona continue with minimal interruption. Elliott emphasized that logistical shifts between Winston-Salem and Daytona have limited impact because crucial equipment remains untouched. This adaptability, paired with experience from recent seasons, positions Elliott’s team as resilient contenders.
What Elliott’s Close Call Means for the 2025 Season
Chase Elliott’s revelation about how close he came to losing last year’s exhibition underscores the unpredictable nature of NASCAR, where fortunes can change within a few laps. Facing pressure from top competitors like Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano, Elliott managed to secure a significant victory despite near-misses that might have altered the narrative of his season. As the 2025 campaign unfolds, Elliott’s honesty provides fans and rivals insight into the fine margins that decide races at the highest level.
Looking ahead, as Elliott continues preparing for the biggest races on the calendar, including the Daytona 500, his reflections reveal the complexities and pressures that come with elite competition. The conversation surrounding his last victory—one so narrowly earned—serves as motivation for the season, setting up an intriguing storyline as the sport’s most popular driver seeks to build on his recent success while fending off some of NASCAR’s strongest names.
Chase Elliott says the delayed Clash won't hurt Daytona preps much pic.twitter.com/TVGRLznEQG
— Heather Williams (@SportsHeather) February 2, 2026
