Chase Elliott reflected on his 2025 season, acknowledging a slow start but pointing out that avoiding wrecks early on helped him maintain momentum. Racing as the No. 9 driver, Elliott revealed it was not until the final month of the season that he truly felt competitive and able to lead laps consistently, contributing to a stronger finish.
Despite winning the Clash to open the year, Elliott’s overall 2025 campaign lagged behind that of his championship-winning Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Kyle Larson. Larson secured several victories before the All-Star race, whereas Elliott’s first win came only in the second Atlanta race. This victory did, however, momentarily put Elliott in the points lead due to his steady finishes and accumulation of stage points.
Larson expressed surprise to see Elliott at the top of the standings after Atlanta, highlighting how close the competition was between the teammates.
Midseason Challenges and Postseason Recovery
Following his win at Atlanta, Elliott’s runoff lost momentum after the Indianapolis race. Nonetheless, he regained form during the Gateway playoff event, which sparked a series of strong finishes in the playoffs. Among these was a notable victory at Kansas Speedway, which was particularly significant given that Larson had won the previous Kansas race.
Reviewing his season with ESPN, Elliott remarked,
“Obviously, the Clash went really well, which doesn’t have anything to do with the numbers. But that part went well. I thought some of the opening speedway races went well. Truthfully, I think some of the numbers were reflected by the fact that we didn’t get caught up in the wrecks. And that skews things, right, when you have fewer numbers there early in the season.”
“I really didn’t feel like our performance got to its peak until probably the last month or month and a half of the season. That’s when I felt like, ‘Hey, we’re leading some laps and just more competitive and giving ourselves more opportunities,'” he added.
Elliott ultimately ended the year ranked eighth in points. His teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson qualified for the final four, with Larson claiming the 2025 championship.
Setting Ambitions for the 2026 Season
Looking ahead, Elliott discussed what it means for him to be in top form. The Hendrick Motorsports driver shared his desire to be consistently competitive week to week rather than focusing solely on race wins. He believes positioning himself regularly for strong finishes better reflects being in shape for a championship run.
“It’s more about putting yourself in position consistently and every week than it is the actual win. You’re going to get your turn…..and that’s more of what I want to see and what our definition of being in form is,” Elliott said.
Over the 2025 season, Elliott registered 11 top-15 finishes and 19 top-10s out of 36 races, with only three Did Not Finishes (DNFs). He led 454 laps altogether, matching much of his 2024 performance, although he improved by having one fewer DNF. Importantly, this marked Elliott’s return to a multi-win season after a winless 2023 campaign and following his five-win year in 2022.
Implications for Elliott’s Career Trajectory
Chase Elliott’s steady comeback during 2025 highlights his resilience and ability to overcome early setbacks. His strong finish and multiple wins suggest he is nearing a prime competitive phase, setting the stage for serious contention in the 2026 season. With teammates like Kyle Larson continuing to demonstrate championship-caliber performance, Elliott remains a significant figure in Hendrick Motorsports’ pursuit of future titles.
As the 2026 season approaches, the expectations on Elliott to capitalize on his late-season momentum will likely increase, making his consistency and racecraft crucial factors for success moving forward.
