Chase Elliott secured a crucial win at EchoPark Speedway, the track formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, this past weekend, ending a year-long victory drought. The Hendrick Motorsports driver overcame multiple crashes and fierce competition to reach Victory Lane, proving his resilience on a track that initially raised concerns.
Following his win, Elliott appeared alongside Kevin Harvick on this week’s Victory Lap, where he shared his thoughts on the difficult racing conditions and why the Chase Elliott Atlanta track concerns stood out to him early in the event.
Why Elliott Found the Atlanta Track ‘Super Sketchy’ at the Start
Elliott described the initial laps of the race at Atlanta as especially unpredictable and challenging. He explained how the track’s surface did not seem to change much over recent races but consistently felt dangerous at the opening run.
“It hasn’t really changed a ton. I don’t know if you experienced this, but really, probably the last three races there, I feel like the first run is super sketchy, for whatever reason,”
Elliott told Harvick. He added that drivers were adopting setups similar to those used on superspeedways, which made the cars difficult to handle early on, saying,
“We started that first run of the race and I’m like, ‘Man, we have messed up,’ you know, bad.”
Despite this rough start, Elliott noted that the track transitioned during the race, improving conditions for the drivers. Factors such as nightfall during this particular event appeared to have influenced the track’s grip level as the race progressed.
“It went through the normal transition, and I don’t know what happens to the track or what changes it from the start of the run to the end. Certainly the nightfall, this particular trip, I’m sure had an impact on it. I’ve seen this even during the day, by halfway, the track was super locked down. Had a lot of grip, and you could get away with, you know, those high stop loads and things that you would typically do at speedways only.”
Elliott’s Emotional Victory Celebration at His Home Track
After holding off strong competitors on the evolving surface, Elliott’s win at the Atlanta track was a deeply emotional moment for him. The Hendrick Motorsports driver showed his appreciation by climbing into the stands to celebrate with local fans and fellow Georgians, who responded with a spirited “Let’s Go Chase” chant.
Reflecting on the achievement during a TNT interview with Marty Snider, Elliott expressed his disbelief and gratitude over the success.
“Unbelievable. Unbelievable. How about that? Are you kidding me? I’ve never in my life. This is unbelievable. Thank you guys so much. What a special car.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
He also extended thanks to key sponsors and supporters, highlighting the significance of the moment.
“Just a huge thanks to NAPA Auto Parts and everything they do for me and to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. … It was a lot of fun. This right here is something I will never forget, so thank you guys so much.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
Possible Momentum for Elliott in the 2025 Season
Chase Elliott’s Atlanta victory may mark the start of a strong summer run, as he carries the confidence gained from this tough battle forward. His performance impressed veteran driver Kevin Harvick, suggesting that Elliott has the potential to add more wins over the rest of the 2025 NASCAR season.
With the challenges of the Atlanta track behind him for now, Elliott’s reflections on the race provide insight into the unpredictable conditions racers face and how persistence can lead to breakthrough moments.
