At EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, Chase Elliott delivered a powerful performance that ended his 44-race winless streak during last weekend’s Quaker State 400. While competitors such as Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Joey Logano exited the race prematurely, Elliott’s strategy and determination led him to claim his first victory of the season in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The Atlanta race victory was a significant achievement for Elliott, marking a pivotal moment in his 2024 campaign and boosting his standing among top drivers.
How Elliott’s Aggressive Mindset Fueled His Final-Lap Surge
The victory at Atlanta was particularly meaningful since it came on home turf. Elliott electrified the crowd by making a daring move on the final lap, overtaking Brad Keselowski as they entered Turn 1. With crucial assistance from teammate Alex Bowman, Elliott executed a bold three-wide pass and never relinquished the lead on the chaotic 1.54-mile quad-oval track, securing his second career win at this venue.
During a recent conversation on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, Elliott explained the mindset behind his bold driving style throughout the race.
“Yeah, I mean, I feel like I’ve tried to be that way at more than just Atlanta,”
Elliott said, reflecting on his approach to racing aggressively from the start.
He added that a key challenge in NASCAR is deciding when to take risks and when to be cautious, especially at tracks like Daytona and Talladega where patience can sometimes be more rewarding.
“I think the cool thing about Atlanta was that it wasn’t a death sentence to go three-wide bottom and it not work. Like okay, you know, I’ll fall back in line here in a minute, and I’ll get another shot at it, and if it works, then great, you got two for one. But that’s not just normally the case.”
He described how Atlanta’s unique racing conditions allowed him to take calculated risks without severe consequences.
“So, it’s, I think probably, more a product of just the way the racetrack was racing, and the fact that you weren’t signing yourself up for a death sentence if one of those big, bold moves didn’t totally go your way.”
Championship Standings and What Elliott’s Win Means for the Season
Following his Atlanta race victory, Elliott currently holds 594 points in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. He trails Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, the points leader with 631, by 37 points. Another HMS contender, Kyle Larson, is in third place, intensifying the championship battle among the teammates.
Elliott’s renewed confidence and aggressive tactics at Atlanta signal a strong challenge moving forward in the season, as he looks to capitalize on this momentum and close the gap in the standings.
