Chase Elliott DAYTONA 500 aspirations take center stage this weekend as the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion readies for his eleventh attempt at securing a win in the storied event at Daytona International Speedway. With the green flag set for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET, Elliott and fellow top contenders shared their outlooks as anticipation builds for the season-opening race, which airs on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The challenge facing Elliott is significant—only two of the seven Cup Series champions competing on Sunday have previously captured the DAYTONA 500: Joey Logano in 2015 and Jimmie Johnson in both 2006 and 2013. Notably, Logano’s first Daytona win came before he earned his trio of series championships, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this pivotal race.
Unpredictability Defines NASCAR’s Premier Race
Chase Elliott acknowledges the unique and uncertain dynamics that shape the DAYTONA 500 each year, pointing to the blend of luck and preparation that defines the competition.
“It’s always been kind of a lottery in some capacity and you have to have a lot of things go your way,”
Elliott remarked, emphasizing how chance plays a significant role on race day—sometimes rewarding drivers who might not otherwise be in contention.
This characteristic unpredictability of the Daytona 500 has produced memorable moments and underdog triumphs throughout NASCAR’s history. Elliott further commented on the limited control that drivers maintain once the action begins:
“There’s just not a lot once the race gets going that’s in your hands, but there are some things, and it’s important to try and execute those things, whatever they are—no matter how big or how small they are—to the best of your ability.”
— Chase Elliott, 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
Competition Intensifies with Stacked Starting Lineup
The field for Sunday’s race is packed with champions striving for another hallmark achievement. Kyle Busch, the two-time Cup Series champion, will begin on pole for the first time in his career, leading the field in the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet as he seeks to break through in his 21st DAYTONA 500 start. Elliott will start on the second row, positioned alongside Team Penske’s Logano, both seeking to end their Daytona droughts.
Logano’s Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney—the reigning series champion—will take the fifth starting position. Additional past champions such as Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski are also set to line up in the top ten, each looking for a first victory at Daytona to add to their resumes.
A Measured Approach and Renewed Hope at Daytona
With so much at stake, Elliott outlined his strategy for approaching Sunday’s race:
“You’re just hedging your bet, doing everything you can to put the numbers as much in your favor as you can, and from there you have to have some things go your way,”
Elliott said.
“From our standpoint, that’s all we can do.”
— Chase Elliott, 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
Despite the difficulties that have kept him from victory so far, Elliott remains optimistic about his prospects with Hendrick Motorsports.
“Unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out to this point but also really fortunate to have another opportunity with HMS and come down to my 11th DAYTONA 500, and every time I’ve driven through the tunnel I know I have a shot. I know I have a shot when I get here, so what else can I ask for.”
— Chase Elliott, 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
The atmosphere is charged with anticipation as series champions, veteran drivers, and promising newcomers all hope to leave their mark at Daytona. The DAYTONA 500 remains the NASCAR Cup Series’ most coveted race, promising high drama and the possibility of new underdog stories. As Elliott and his competitors take the green flag, fans will be watching to see if this is the year he turns his DAYTONA 500 aspirations into a defining career victory.
