Chase Elliott is building strong momentum in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most consistent drivers. Following his recent third-place finish at Sonoma Raceway, Elliott now holds the longest active NASCAR lead-lap streak, reinforcing his status as a top championship contender.
Maintaining Consistency on the Track
At Sonoma Raceway, Elliott finished third, extending his impressive run to 20 straight top-20 finishes for the season. His most recent result outside the top 20 came during the 2024 Vegas fall race, where a suspension problem with his No. 9 car hampered his performance. Since securing his first victory of the season in Atlanta and ending a 44-race winless stretch, Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports have steadily improved their form.
Beyond simply staying on the lead lap, Elliott has become one of the most reliable drivers this year. According to NASCAR Insights, he leads all active drivers with 11 consecutive lead-lap finishes this season. The next closest driver is AJ Allmendinger with eight, followed by Chris Buescher, who has a streak of seven.
Starting 13th at Sonoma, Elliott quickly advanced through the field, ranking highly in several performance metrics. NASCAR Insights noted his second-place Passer Rating, third-place Defense and Restart Ratings, as well as strong Pit Crew and Speed Ratings, underscoring his well-rounded competitiveness.
The race dynamics shifted late when a caution flag came out with 14 laps remaining after Cody Ware lost a tire. Alan Gustafson, Elliott’s crew chief, opted for a strategic pit stop to put fresh tires on the No. 9 car. This bold decision paid off, allowing Elliott to nearly catch Chase Briscoe for second place. Tire wear ultimately prevented a pass, but the strategy helped secure another top-five finish.
Implications for Elliott’s Championship Pursuit
With 11 straight lead-lap finishes and a strong string of top-20 results, Elliott’s consistency highlights why he is considered a serious championship contender. His renewed confidence and the effective collaboration with Gustafson have made the No. 9 team a formidable force emerging into the 2025 playoff picture.
As the season progresses, Elliott’s steady performances suggest he is positioned well to challenge for the NASCAR Cup Series title. His ability to combine strategic decisions, speed, and reliability will likely continue driving his success in the championship fight.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Chase Elliott fly a jet?
A. Chase Elliott travels to Super Bowl LIX using his $1.8 million private jet. For more information, visit https://sk.news/JUe0rD on Facebook.
Q. Does Chase Elliott fly his own jet?
A. Chase Elliott is the most well-liked driver in NASCAR. He is a skilled pilot, certified to fly the 525B aircraft himself. Additionally, he is qualified to operate helicopters.
Q. Does Chase Elliott own a jet?
A. Chase Elliott is heading to Super Bowl LIX in his own private jet, which is valued at $1.8 million, according to Sportskeeda.
Q. Does Chase Elliott have his own jet?
A. Chase Elliott, a champion in NASCAR, has bought a 2013 Cessna Citation 525B. This new plane replaces his older 2006 Cessna Citation 525B, which he put up for sale earlier this year. Before Elliott owned it, the aircraft belonged to Southern Pipe & Supply, a company in Meridian, Mississippi.
