Chase Elliott recounted his momentous first win in the NASCAR Cup Series during a visit back to Watkins Glen International, the site of his breakthrough victory. He shared his thoughts on the milestone in an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, reflecting on how the achievement shaped his career and Hendrick Motorsports history.
On August 5, 2018, Elliott secured his debut Cup Series win at Watkins Glen by leading 52 laps, including the final 34, and finishing nearly seven seconds ahead of runner-up Martin Truex Jr. This victory marked a significant milestone not only for Elliott personally but also for Hendrick Motorsports, becoming the team’s 250th win.
The race was a testament to Elliott’s road course mastery, echoing the legacy of his father, Bill Elliott, who earned his first Cup win at Riverside in 1983. Throughout the 90-lap, 220-mile event, Elliott showcased strategic fuel management, track position control, and a smooth yet powerful driving style that kept him ahead of strong competitors. This win ended a series of near-misses where Elliott finished second multiple times.
Chase Elliott recalled the special nature of that day:
“It was just a really cool day and something I always cherish, always remember, Jimmy pushing me around was amazing, a guy that I’ve looked up to for so long, and being teammates with him and just how much I leaned on him throughout that whole process and coming up short so many times. So, just a lot of really cool things about the weekend, the similarities between my dad and I getting our first win, just a lot of really cool stuff. I don’t mean to harp on it, but it was a cool day for us.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Early Signs of Form and Determination in the 2025 Season
Chase Elliott began his 2025 NASCAR season by winning the Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium. This early victory showcased his readiness to handle the pressures of the new racing year. While his performance in the Daytona 500 resulted in a 15th-place finish amid stiff competition, Elliott maintained a consistent presence with several top-10 finishes throughout the season.
The highlight of his 2025 campaign arrived with a dramatic win at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, held in his hometown. There, after an intense race, Elliott surged forward on the final lap to claim victory, breaking a lengthy winless stretch and energizing his season. This marked a pivotal moment reflecting his resilience and skill in high-pressure scenarios.
Breaking a Lengthy Winless Streak in Front of Atlanta Fans
Elliott ended a 44-race win drought with a thrilling NASCAR Cup Series victory at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, overcoming intense competition and multiple lead changes. The race featured 46 lead swaps among 13 drivers and numerous accidents, making Elliott’s final-lap pass on Brad Keselowski especially dramatic and memorable.
In a detailed recount of the winning move, Elliott explained the closing moments of the race during his SiriusXM interview:
“Yeah, it was wild. You know, got just a couple really good situations off of four and had a really big shove there and into one. I think I got two for one there with a couple to go that got me by, I forget who, and then the 45 and that got me to third. And I’m not exactly sure what happened, but somehow or another, Alex got to third or got me to second, I’m sorry. And I couldn’t really tell how that happened. And when I saw him in my mirror, I thought, well, you know, that’s better than somebody else.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Throughout the race, Elliott led a total of 41 laps and received critical support from teammate Alex Bowman in the closing stages. This collaborative effort extended the Elliott family’s success at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Bill Elliott, Chase’s father, famously secured five wins during his career.
The Legacy and Future Impact of Elliott’s 2025 Victory
Chase Elliott’s triumph at Atlanta not only ended a significant winless stretch but also reinforced his role as a leading driver for Hendrick Motorsports. Building on the foundation laid by his father and team predecessors, this victory has revitalized Elliott’s momentum in the 2025 season. His success at key venues like Watkins Glen and Atlanta further amplifies his status as a top contender in NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
Given Elliott’s determination and consistent top finishes so far this season, his breakthrough in Atlanta may signal a turning point that could influence his overall championship aspirations. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Elliott continues to build on this renewed confidence and push for more victories in the coming races.
