Chase Elliott, the driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, addressed the media ahead of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Reflecting on his experience and approach, Elliott shared insights into the unique pressures and strategies involved at this stage of the season, highlighting how the Chase Elliott NASCAR Playoffs demand consistent performance and careful management over the course of the 10-race stretch.
Gaining Perspective: What Young Drivers Learn from Playoff Experience
When asked about the impact the playoffs have on younger drivers who lack extensive experience, Elliott acknowledged the evolving nature of the format and its influence on newcomers. He recalled his early years racing under the playoff system, which was relatively new when he first entered the Cup Series in 2016. Elliott noted that initially, drivers and teams struggled to balance stage points and race strategy, but over time, the system has become clearer and more familiar to competitors and fans alike.
“I’ve never really thought about it like that. I don’t really. I don’t really know. I’ve never thought about it in that regard. I mean, I feel like everyone, you know, when they come in…..I’m just trying to think about my first year, kind of my approach. I mean, from my perspective, it was pretty new, like the whole format. I think it started in, what, like 2014? So then, yeah, my first year was 2016, so it hadn’t been around a real long time, and I just remember those first couple years. I don’t think people realized how valuable the stage points were in my first couple of seasons, and there were like lots of stage points up for grabs, and no one really kind of knew, you know, how to balance that. But now I think it’s been around long enough at this juncture that everyone kind of understands how it works and it’s kind of normalized itself in my opinion. Because, when you watch these races, even just as a fan, I think you’re learning things. You don’t realize you’re learning them, but you are learning by watching.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
The Importance of Playoff Experience in Pursuit of a Repeat Championship
Elliott, one of the previous four champions vying for back-to-back titles, emphasized the value of having prior playoff experience regardless of past results. He explained that both positive and negative experiences contribute to a team‘s preparedness during this critical time. According to Elliott, the collective knowledge within his team provides a helpful foundation as they face the intensity of the 10-week playoff schedule.
“Just having the experience in general, regardless of what the result was in the year before, I think the experience both good and bad can be helpful. So that is a great thing for our team. We have a lot of that. And we’ve all been around long enough to kind of see, you, some different things here and there, and I hope I hope it helps.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Team Dynamics: Strengths and Challenges Heading Into the Playoffs
Discussing his team’s preparedness, Elliott cited experience as their primary strength, which is crucial when navigating the varied pressures and scenarios of playoff racing. However, he pointed out that consistent performance on Saturdays has been a notable challenge for them this season. Elliott stressed the importance of improving their Saturday runs to better position themselves for success on race days, which are usually held on Sundays.
“I think the experience that, you know, I alluded to a second ago is a major strength, as you just get faced with different situations throughout the final ten. You know, the challenges for us have been mainly on Saturdays, more than they’ve been on Sundays. I’ve been pretty open about that, but yeah, we’ve got to have better Saturdays to set ourselves up better for success.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Evaluating Playoff Tracks: Darlington and Beyond
As the playoffs kick off at Darlington Raceway, Elliott examined how the selection of tracks impacts his team’s strategy and potential performance. He admitted Darlington has been a challenging venue in the past, with some successes but a lack of consistency overall. Elliott also mentioned the team’s relative struggles at Gateway but recognized Bristol as a better track for them. He underlined the need to treat each playoff round with respect and preparedness, noting that Darlington and the other tracks in this round each present unique challenges.
“Yeah, I’m definitely we get a time kind of person and especially a round at a time kind of person. I think you have to respect each round. This is going to be a tough round. You know, Darlington’s been a tough track for me. We’ve had some good runs here and there, but certainly not very consistent. And you look at Gateway, I think, as a company, we’ve been kind of off there. Bristol’s been a good track for us, but, you know, that’s only a third of it, right? So, we’ve got to make sure we give this round the respect it deserves and, you know, show up ready to go this weekend.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
The Intensity of Each Week’s Importance in the Playoffs
Addressing the heightened stakes during the playoffs, Elliott described a distinct intensity that comes with every race counting heavily toward the championship outcome. He noted that the season already is long, and the playoffs bring a concentrated focus to each event. This sharper sense of urgency makes competing more engaging not only for the drivers but also for the fans who follow the season‘s climax.
“Yeah, it definitely, there’s a level of intensity to the final 10 that I think make it a lot of fun, that is just, yeah, it’s a little different vibe, but I enjoy it. I think all the competitors do. Our season’s pretty long, so kind of getting down to business and knowing that there’s something on the line every week, is a fun thing to be a part of. And it’s always felt that way. You know, just naturally as the years have gone by.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Managing Stress and Focusing on Performance
Regarding stress during the playoffs, Elliott was candid about the pressures all drivers face but said he himself does not feel anxious. Instead, his motivation comes from wanting to improve weekly and perform better race after race. This focus on continual progress helps keep the stress at bay, as he channels energy toward delivering the best results possible.
“I mean, I think everybody gets stressed for one reason or another, you know. But I’m not stressed over the playoffs you know, I just want to do better, I want to run better, I want to be in better positions on a weekly basis. All those things motivate me to keep showing up, but the playoffs don’t…….I’m not anxious about it. I’m not, you know, nervous about it, I just want to go and make sure we’re doing everything we can do and just try to try to piece together some good weeks and that starts this weekend. So, it’s really that simple.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Enduring the Playoffs: The Challenge of Long-Term Consistency
Elliott emphasized the grueling nature of the playoff period, describing the 10 races over roughly two months as a demanding test of endurance and focus. He explained how drivers can experience fluctuations in form during such an extended stretch, and that maintaining consistency under these conditions is never easy. This reality underlines the mental and physical challenges drivers and teams face while competing for the championship.
“Well, I think understanding that, you know, 10 weeks is a long time. Like, that’s a lot of racing, and it’s almost enough time for someone to have a good few weeks, go through a stretch of not so good weeks and then get good again. It’s a lot of racing, you know, over two months. So, I think sometimes you kind of get these questions about the playoffs, and it’s like, oh, there’s just the playoffs, you know, like, it’s just one thing, right? And it’s not. It’s a long period of time. And, you know, a lot of long hours working, you know in the shop, and travel. It’s just there’s 10 races and a lot can happen in 10 weeks.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
“Like I said, it seems like it kind of gets all combined into one thing and it’s so much more than that. So, it’s a long 10 weeks, but a fun 10 weeks, and they go by quick.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Competition and the Field: Familiar Contenders Remain Central
Asked whether the playoff field feels more open this season or if there is a dominant opponent to beat, Elliott identified the playoff contenders as largely unchanged. Despite a variety of race winners throughout the year, he suggested that the championship contenders tend to emerge from a core group of top drivers, including himself.
“No, I think it’s the same crowd. Personally, I think it’s… yeah, there’s been a lot of different winners, but I think you’ve got to go through the same crowd.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Approach to Winning: Focus on Consistent Excellence Over Specific Targets
When questioned if he targets specific venues for wins instead of just accumulating points, Elliott conveyed that his goal is to be a strong team every week rather than focusing on any single track. He firmly believes that consistently competing at a high level across all races is central to championship success.
“No, I don’t. I don’t look at it like that. It’s you know, I just want to be a team that we can go and feel that way every week. So, if you’re not doing that, then we’re not doing our jobs to the best of our abilities is how I look at it.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Balancing Consistency and Speed as Keys to Playoff Success
Elliott recognizes the importance of consistency but is clear that it alone will not secure victory. Speed and race pace must complement steady finishes to excel in the playoffs. His team aims to combine these two qualities to maximize their competitiveness during this critical stretch of races.
“Yeah, I mean, consistency’s great, but it’s not the end goal by any stretch. Pace can save a lot of things, and we need to have some more pace. So hopefully we can gather some in, and put together some extra pace with the consistency, but it’s going to take both.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Championship
As the Chase Elliott NASCAR Playoffs commence, the driver and his team face multiple challenges—from mastering tough tracks such as Darlington and Gateway to maintaining intensity over the long 10-race span. Elliott’s thoughtful, measured outlook reflects his commitment to leveraging experience, improving week by week, and balancing pace with consistency. His approach underscores the strategic complexity of the playoffs and sets clear expectations for his pursuit of another championship with Hendrick Motorsports.
