Chase Elliott, behind the wheel of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, is entering the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course with a firm advantage. Elliott, a two-time winner at the Charlotte Roval, already secured a place in the Round of Eight thanks to a recent victory, positioning him to go after another triumph at the challenging track.
His focus on the Chase Elliott Charlotte Roval event reflects the driver’s confidence and readiness to compete for the win in a season where every opportunity to advance in the playoffs is crucial.
Elliott’s Ambitions and Strategy for the Charlotte Roval
Heading into this weekend’s race, Elliott aims to capture another victory to strengthen his playoff position. He noted that last week’s win simplifies his approach, allowing him to focus purely on competing without the immediate pressure of points accrual. His recent performances at the event give him confidence that his team has a strong pace once again.
“Oh, yeah, try to get another win. You know, I think fortunately, last week keeps things really simple for us. So, yeah, that’s the goal. I think we are very capable of contending this week. We’ve had, you know, a good pace over the last few trips to this event, and hopefully we can replicate some of that and keep ourselves in the mix, have a shot,”
Elliott said about his intentions for the weekend.
Impact of Securing a Kansas Win on Team Mindset
Securing the win at Kansas provided Elliott and his team with a psychological edge, allowing them to operate with a clearer plan and less pressure this week. Elliott explained that while the intensity remains high, having the victory behind them lets the team approach preparations and practice sessions with consistency and focus rather than urgency.
“Yeah, I mean, I definitely think it keeps your strategy really simple, you know. Especially if you are a contender on the day and have good pace. A lot of those questions are just answered on how fast or slow you are, you know, truthfully. So, I feel like our intensity is usually pretty high. I feel like we’re always really locked in on what we need to do. I don’t know that the situation really changes that. We still try to show up each week and be really prepared, and I thought we had a good week of prep this week and kind of went about our business like we would have done if we hadn’t won last week. So, I think that’s the important thing to keep that cadence and keep your process the same. Because it’s not like the season’s over, we still have another month. I think our team is in a good place and we just keep going about our business and keep our heads down. We certainly know we have room to improve, even with last week. So we look to try and do some of that this week and then certainly try and find, find some more next week in Vegas,”
Elliott shared.
Adapting Racing Tactics Now That Playoff Pressure Is Lessened
Elliott described how having the safety net of a recent win allows for a slightly different racing mindset this weekend. Without the need to chase stage points aggressively to secure playoff standings, he can focus primarily on race pace and winning the event outright.
“Yeah, I mean, I think the difference is not having a short stage or having the ability to short stages and not feeling so pressured to run to the end if you need the points, right? I’ve said that a lot, but, you know, road course racing in general, this time of year, in some cases, it can almost decide whether or not you have a chance to win the race, and you kind of see guys put themselves in certain buckets, and they have to have the points, and we’ve been there, and I get it. And you just can’t afford to lose the stage points, right? So, I think that’s really the biggest thing that it does more than anything. I think from my perspective behind the wheel, I’m still going to try and go and extract as much pace from the car as I can like I would have done anyway. But, yeah, just nice to not have to worry about that side of the fence, you know, it’s such a nice thing when you come to these places, assuming you have good pace, and all those things. Now, if we’re slow and you don’t have a legitimate shot to win or beat the top runners, then maybe you do consider still running to the end of stages if it could potentially give you a stage win. That would be an extra point, right? So, I think it’s number one, it’s how can you win? And then number two, it is how can you accumulate the playoff points? And to me, I think the priorities go in that order,”
he elaborated.
Challenges Unique to the Charlotte Roval Track Layout
When asked about the nature of the Charlotte Roval itself, Elliott described the course’s difficulty in establishing rhythm and flow, a hallmark of most road courses but notably absent here. The combination of an oval with internal road segments creates a fragmented, choppy track that demands adaptability and precision from drivers.
“I mean, it’s, it’s nothing new, you know, at this point. We’ve been coming here for a number of years now and I’ve said, really from the get-go, it’s a place that it doesn’t have a lot of flow to it. It’s a really choppy road course, and it’s kind of a makeshift road course, and it is. In a lot of ways, you know, having a rhythm and a flow is a really important piece of road racing, at least it is for me, and this is one of those places where it just doesn’t really come naturally. You kind of have to find that and create that. And it’s hard to do. And I’ve had trips where I’ve been able to do that, and I’ve also had trips that I haven’t, and you know, it’s a challenge. So, you know, I look forward to getting out on track and, you know, trying to, you know, find some of that,”
Elliott commented on the track’s distinct racing demands.
Addressing Performance Struggles at Las Vegas in the Next Gen Era
Elliott also reflected on his team’s inconsistent results in Las Vegas since the introduction of the Next Gen car. He acknowledged multiple crashes and tough performances that have hindered success there, contrasting with more competitive outings before and during the early adoption of the new vehicle.
“Yeah, we’ve crashed a lot, you know? So that’s hurt for sure. Lots of crashes out of Vegas for us, really throughout the whole entirety of my career. You know, I’m trying to think through, you, all of the scenarios and its hard to remember. And then we’ve just had some bad runs there. I thought we had some pretty good runs prior to Next Gen and then kind of the inception of the Next Gen car, I feel like it was a pretty big step backwards. And then I thought we had a really good run there going last fall. I thought we made some nice gains last year as a whole there. Had a really, really nice run going. I was excited about just having a solid day there in the fall, and crashed. And I thought this spring was solid. More in the ballpark, not as good as we were in the fall, but certainly more competitive than some of the races, I think, that you were mentioning. So, this deal, as it always is, is what have you done lately, and that narrative can be really different next week if we do a job, right?”
he explained.
Steady Preparation Focus Despite the Upcoming Vegas Race
Despite the critical implications of the upcoming race at Las Vegas, Elliott emphasized that preparation for the Charlotte Roval has followed the team’s standard routine. Discussions about Vegas and potential strategies are ongoing but maintain a consistent approach rather than last-minute overhauls.
“No, truthfully, our our prep work in our week was really similar to, like, it always is. I as a person and we as a team, I feel like we take things kind of week to week and this week was really no different. I mean we always touch on Vegas a little bit here or there, like, if there are things that, you know, coming off Kansas while it’s fresh, something that might translate, of course, we’re going to talk about those things. But nothing was any different. We just, I feel like it’s just an open dialogue all the time. Like we talk about everything and I think everything’s on the table. But us talking about Vegas and the conversations that we had were no different. Like, we would have been talking about that stuff anyway. So, I didn’t really see where it changed,”
Elliott noted.
Connecting with Fans Beyond the Track
Elliott highlighted the meaningful interactions with fans, sharing how much it means to be part of important moments in their lives. Those personal connections remind him of the broader impact of his role beyond racing.
“Yeah, it’s really cool, and I say this, but, you know, you totally do take that stuff for granted a little bit sometimes. It’s always really important to remind yourself, just the impact that you can have on someone’s day. Just being in the position and, you know, very fortunate to be in that position and I always try to show appreciation for that and show as much respect as I can. I am human. I do have bad days, too, right? Just like we all do, so, you know, there are times where, you know, you probably don’t express your best and you look back and wish you had done better or done different. I’m certainly guilty of that too, but those moments are special because it is a great reminder to me that you can have that type of impact in someone’s life or just in someone’s day. If you can help put a smile on somebody’s face for five minutes, or whatever, you made a difference, whether you like it or not, you made a difference. I think there’s a little bit of responsibility in that. So, as I’ve gotten a little older, I try to, you know understand that and make sure I’m showing the respect in those situations that I would want, and I appreciate them letting me be a part of it. It was definitely a first, for me. So, that was kind of cool, but, yeah, all those moments are, you know, unique in their own ways,”
he expressed.
Overcoming Setbacks: Lessons from Past Incidents
Reflecting on previous incidents from the 2019 and 2021 seasons, Elliott praised his team’s capability to recover and rebuild from damage sustained during races. The ability to repair cars effectively and maintain a determined mindset drives their resilience.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously they did a great job. You know, it was unfortunate. was not his fault either. So yeah, I’m sure they had some bad moments there, you know, when that first happened. Just in thoughts and what the damage could be. In both of my scenarios and in their scenario yesterday, there was some good fortune in what part of the car was hurt and what parts weren’t. Fortunately, in all three of those scenarios, enough of the suspension was not bent and enough of the body was still intact to be able to repair it. So that’s number one. If you can fix it, is it fixable? How bad is the damage? Fortunately, all those situations, you know, and for us and those two that you referenced, our car wasn’t hurt that bad. And the pace here is pretty slow, and when you look at it from an aero perspective, you’re not going super-fast. Yes it is a deficiency, but you can kind of patch it back together and go out there and still have a solid day with a beat up race car. So that plays a role. And then, you know, I think the mentality aspect of it is really all the same. I feel like we’re always of the mindset you’re never giving in, right? So whatever situation you’re faced with, that is not an option. So, it’s just, you just put your head down and fight through whatever it is until it’s over, you know, until somebody says it’s done. And that’s just how it’s going to be,”
Elliott outlined.
Recognizing the Road Course Dominance of Competitor Shane van Gisbergen
When the topic shifted to fellow driver Shane van Gisbergen’s recent road course dominance, Elliott responded with respect and acknowledgment of the competitor’s talent. He encouraged celebration of excellence in the sport while using it as motivation to elevate his own performance.
“Yeah, I mean, there’s no question he’s done a fantastic job. I’ve always tried to give him the credit that I think he deserves for the discipline and how good he is at it, and I think that should be celebrated, you know? I’ve always been a fan of if a guy’s dominating something, so what? You know you as writers and fans should celebrate that, and then us as competitors should figure out how can we make ourselves better to try and recapture where the bar has been set. So, he has certainly raised the bar in a lot of ways on the road courses. Why is that? He’s a great talent, no question. He has a number of years of experience driving cars very similar to this. Maybe not quite as heavy, I’m not sure what the weight of those cars are, but certainly from a trans axle perspective, and I think those cars are independent, rear suspension as well if I’m not mistaken. Might check on that, I’m not sure, but nonetheless, there are some similarities that I think that have helped him make that transition into these cars. But then you look at his Xfinity’s success on that side, he’s also very good in those cars, and that’s nothing like he came from. That’s why I say, he’s a great talent and we shouldn’t take that away, either. So, I think you just give credit where it’s due, and I think he’s a good racer. He’s always raced me with a lot of respect, and you know, from my perspective, I just want I just want to get better and try to put myself and our team in the ballpark to go up there and run with it,”
Elliott remarked.
New Track Changes at Turns 5, 6, and 7 Pose Technical Challenges
The recent alterations to the section of the track encompassing Turns 5, 6, and 7 have added layers of complexity for drivers. Elliott discussed the blind nature of the quick right-hander over a hill, requiring precise car control and setup adjustments regarding gearing to maintain balance and speed.
“Yeah, it’s definitely changed, man. I think the biggest challenge of that section is it’s a little blind as you exit, the quick right to come over the hill, it’s a little blind. You end up kind of going over a hump in the road and that can upset the car. So just kind of how you, how you get through that quick right, you know, whatever you decide to do with your gearing, there’s a couple different options. I think you can downshift earlier or downshift late. It is kind of a dealer’s choice. But I think more importantly, just getting the car settled to get over that rise and be able to, you recapture the grip on the back side, to set up a really important apex coming back on the big track, obviously, that leads to a long straightaway. So, priority always leans towards whatever the corner is that has the longest straightaway, right? So, you know all that is kind of a setup for how you exit and take yourself to the bus stop. So it’s kind of all connected,”
Elliott explained.
Contrasting the Roval with Traditional Purpose-Built Road Courses
In comparing the Charlotte Roval to well-known traditional road courses like Watkins Glen and Sonoma, Elliott emphasized the importance of natural flow. Unlike those circuits, which were designed with sequence and rhythm in mind, the Charlotte Roval demands drivers create their own pacing due to its composite layout.
“Yeah, I think kind of coming back to Claire’s question, really, it’s just about how much of a natural flow it has, that’s the only difference I see with it. This is just a place that doesn’t have a very good natural flow. You know, you go to Watkins Glen and it flows, whether you like it or not. You know, that’s just kind of what it is, the way the racetrack was built where certain turns set you up for the next one. And that’s how a lot of road courses are. That were purpose built that way. Sonoma was that way in a lot of ways. COTA is that way in a lot of ways and this place is just not. And I think that’s where, you know, coming back to finding that within yourself, creating that rhythm, creating that flow, you know, is going to help you create repetition and lap time and be able to hit your marks and do it, you throughout the entirety of a run,”
he described.
Debate Over Road Race Playoff Inclusion: No Strong Preference from Elliott
In conversations around whether the playoff road race should be held on an oval or a road course, Elliott expressed openness to either option. He acknowledged the rise in road course events and their excitement but recognized that mile-and-a-half oval races tend to suit the current cars well.
“Um, I really don’t. I mean, I think the argument from that perspective has just been that pre–Next Gen, we were hungry for more road races, right? And, you know, the road course had put on a lot of excitement, and I think that’s what they were after, you know, for this event in the fall. It does seem to me like the mile and a half stuff suits this car a little better than it has suited the road racing, from an excitement perspective. So, I think that’s probably why some of those conversations have resurfaced. But I don’t have a preference on where if there is a road race in the in the final 10. I’m good with whichever one they picked,”
Elliott shared his view on the debate.
Looking Ahead: Maintaining Focus and Pursuing Success at Charlotte and Beyond
With the Charlotte Roval representing a pivotal race in Chase Elliott’s playoff campaign, his preparation and mindset highlight the balance between managing pressure and pushing for another win. The complexity of the circuit, combined with evolving competition and team challenges, sets the stage for a compelling weekend.
Elliott’s awareness of his strengths, respect for challengers like Shane van Gisbergen, and steady approach to improvement suggest that the race will be fought intensely. Following Charlotte, attention will swiftly turn to the Las Vegas event, where results have been mixed but opportunities exist to build momentum.
