Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports driver, addressed his ongoing challenge with NASCAR playoff points ahead of the Nashville Superspeedway race this Sunday. Despite consistent performances, Elliott has not yet earned playoff points this season, and he openly discussed his determination to improve beyond just qualifying for the postseason.
Elliott started 2025 with promise after winning the non-points race at Bowman Gray Stadium, but he has since been unable to secure a victory in points-paying events. His last Cup Series win came at Texas Motor Speedway on April 15, 2024, leaving him on a winless streak as he seeks to lock in a stronger playoff position.
Reflecting on his situation, Elliott told SpeedwayDigest.com,
“Certainly better to be in that position than on the other side of the fence, no doubt. But I’d be lying if I said that was my top focus. It’s just not. I think that if you’re worried about barely getting into the playoffs, I think you have some work to do.”
He further elaborated,
“It really is kind of the best way I can think about that. And just to talk about my thought process, I want to be better than that. I want to be in the group of people of how many playoff points do you have, not just barely getting in. Our expectations and goals are above that, and we hope that we can achieve all of our goals.”
Currently, Elliott stands fourth in the Cup Series points standings with 415 points. Throughout 13 races this season, he has achieved seven top-ten and three top-five finishes. Nevertheless, the absence of playoff points remains a notable concern as the NASCAR postseason approaches.
Chase Elliott Comments on NASCAR’s New Broadcasting Partnership with Amazon Prime
During the recent Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s Crown Jewel event held on May 25, 2025, the Cup Series made its debut on Amazon Prime. Reflecting on this significant change in broadcast coverage, Chase Elliott shared his positive impressions of the partnership with the streaming service.
Elliott praised Amazon Prime’s professionalism and readiness, highlighting the company’s experience in streaming major sporting events. He expressed confidence in their investment in the sport’s presentation during an interview with Frontstretch Media.
“Yeah, it’s been really, really good, honestly. They’ve been a pleasure to work with so far, very professional, and you know obviously very established in the sports world as of late and and they’ve just done a good job investing in the right things in my opinion,” stated Chase Elliott [4:05 onwards].
This season, Amazon Prime holds the rights to broadcast five Cup Series races, including the Cracker Barrel 400 scheduled for June 1, 2025. Upcoming events under this agreement are the Firekeepers Casino 400, Viva Mexico 250, and The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.COM.
The Larger Implications of Elliott’s Playoff Points Situation
Chase Elliott’s struggle to collect playoff points illustrates the intense competition at the top of the NASCAR Cup Series, where winning races or accumulating enough points early is critical for secure playoff positioning. While Elliott has maintained a relatively high position in the standings, the lack of playoff points puts pressure on him to elevate his performances in the upcoming races.
With the Nashville Superspeedway event approaching, Elliott and his Hendrick Motorsports team will likely focus on overcoming this points deficit to avoid entering the playoffs on precarious footing. His comments reveal a mindset determined not just to qualify but to compete at a championship level, aiming for performances that reflect the expectations tied to his status as a former series champion.
As the NASCAR Cup Series progresses through the remaining events of the regular season, Elliott’s ability to convert consistent finishes into victories or playoff points will be critical to his championship ambitions. Meanwhile, NASCAR’s broadcast expansion through Amazon Prime offers fans new ways to engage with the sport during this pivotal stretch.
