As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Seriesplayoffs commence, Chase Elliott finds himself in a crucial position, seeded seventh and needing a win to advance. The Hendrick Motorsportsdriver’s only victory this season came in Atlanta, but with the stakes higher than ever, Elliott signals he is prepared to adopt a more aggressive style to navigate the cutthroat postseason and vie for his second career championship.
Chase Elliott Prepares For a More Aggressive Approach
Throughout his career, Chase Elliott has been recognized for his loyalty to sponsors like NAPA Auto Parts, typically appearing in their signature blue, white, and yellow colors. Past seasons have seen him involved in heated rivalries—famously clashing with Kevin Harvick during the 2021 playoffs at Bristol and Charlotte, both drivers fighting hard to extend their postseason hopes. Elliott also sparked controversy in 2023 after a collision with teammate Kyle Larson at Fontana led to a sharp verbal outburst. This year, his on-track battles with teammate William Byron for the top spot have been equally intense.
As the 2025 playoffs begin, Elliott has made it clear that his racing demeanor could take on a more confrontational edge. On a recent episode of The BobbyCast, he expressed frustration with the aggressive styles of some competitors:
Image of: Chase Elliott
“Some guys just race like a–holes, some of them just do.”
When asked if he might adopt a darker, more defiant persona—turning the tables on his rivals despite maintaining his usual sponsor alignment—he did not hesitate:
“I think that would catch a lot of people off guard. Maybe I will. Somebody might be getting the bird this weekend.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCARDriver
These comments reveal that Elliott is ready to embrace an uncompromising mindset if it means surviving the intense competition of the playoffs and advancing to the championshiprounds.
Challenges and Past Victories Shape Elliott’s 2025 Campaign
Despite his willingness to push boundaries, Elliott’s 2024 season has had mixed success. His April win at Atlanta marked only his second victory since 2022, following a missed playoff campaign in 2023 and a lone Texaswin earlier this year. Nonetheless, Elliott enters the playoffs as the highest seed among the eight drivers who secured just a single victory this season. This puts added pressure on him to produce strong results quickly amid fierce rivals.
Beyond NASCAR, Elliott has shared his thoughts on pressure in other sports as well. Reflecting on coaching culture and player expectations in college football and the NFL, he remarked:
“I hate the coaching culture, definitely in football. I think it’s totally unfair to these guys that they come in and they’re just expected to win a national championship in, like, three years. If it was easy, everybody would do it.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCARDriver
His comments highlight a grounded perspective on competitive pressure, contrasting with the unrelenting expectations that often face athletes across sports. This mindset might prove valuable as Elliott navigates the mental demands of the NASCARplayoffs.
Consistency Remains Elliott’s Strongest Asset in the Playoffs
While Elliott may need to add aggressiveness to his approach, consistency continues to be the cornerstone of his 2025 season. During last year’s playoffs, Elliott pushed deep into contention, recording seven top-10 finishes in 10 races and securing runner-up placements at Bristol and Martinsville. Across those playoff events, he led a combined 218 laps before narrowly missing a spot in the Championship 4.
His ability to maintain strong finishes has earned respect among NASCARinsiders. Even amid setbacks, such as a crash at Watkins Glen that ended his top-20 streak and an incident with Kyle Busch at Richmond that snapped his no-DNF run, Elliott’s overall performance remains steady.
A recent analysis published by The Athletic, authored by Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, underscored the importance of Elliott’s consistency in the current playoff format:
“Even in a playoff format that emphasizes winning, being able to finish up front on a near weekly basis still matters. And during the regular season, no one had better consistency than Elliott, whose 12.0 average finish led the series. If he can carry over this consistency to the playoffs, it should be enough to carry him to another Championship 4 berth — which would be his fourth in six years.”
—Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
This assessment reflects a belief that Elliott’s steady race finishes, combined with a renewed aggressive mindset, position him as a strong contender for the 2025 NASCARCup title.
The Stakes Rise As Rivalries Intensify in the Postseason
The 2025 NASCARplayoffs are shaping up to be a fiercely competitive battle, with drivers like William Byron, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch all aiming for the championship. Elliott’s decision to potentially shift toward a more aggressive style adds a new dynamic to these rivalries, making every race unpredictable.
As a seasoned driver familiar with the high stakes and physical confrontations on track, Elliott’s readiness to “turn his heel” could increase tension and challenge his opponents’ strategies. Each race will be a test of both skill and resilience.
For Chase Elliott and his Hendrick Motorsportsteam, the upcoming weeks will determine whether a combination of aggression and consistency can propel him to championship glory or if his rivals will seize the opportunity to outmaneuver him.
