Chase Elliott shared an unexpected perspective on expressing frustration during a 2019 interview, comparing road rage on highways with encounters on NASCAR tracks. The Georgia native noted that flipping someone off on the highway is simpler because drivers typically don’t expect to meet again, unlike in the NASCAR environment where repeat encounters are inevitable.
Elliott, a seasoned competitor with Hendrick Motorsports, has been involved in multiple on-track incidents, including a recent altercation at the Chicago Street Race where contact with Katherine Legge led to a retaliatory bump. His experiences highlight the tension drivers face when managing emotions during intense competition on the track.
Why NASCAR Racing Demands More Restraint Than Highway Driving
In a detailed conversation with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Elliott elaborated on how immediate and ongoing relationships between drivers in NASCAR compel more controlled reactions compared to the anonymity of highway driving.
“It’s probably very similar. The only difference is you’re never going to see that person (on the road) ever again. On the track, you’re going to see them again. Soon, probably. That makes it easier to flip somebody off on the road if you wanted to, then. You’re never going to see them again, so you can do whatever you want,” he said.
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
This reasoning reflects the close-knit nature of the NASCAR community, where drivers frequently encounter one another race after race, creating lasting rivalries and the necessity for tactical discipline.
Following the Chicago Street Race, Elliott finished 16th, narrowly ahead of Katherine Legge, who placed 19th. Despite this, Elliott fell short in the In-Season Challenge Round 2 against John Hunter Nemechek, who finished just one position higher at 15th.
Elliott’s Preference for Traditional Oval Tracks Over Urban Street Circuits
Before competing at Chicago, Elliott expressed his strong preference for NASCAR’s classic oval tracks as the core of the sport. While he acknowledged street races like Chicago add excitement and city exposure, he remains convinced that traditional short tracks best capture the essence of NASCAR racing.
“The biggest reason I’m such a big advocate of Nashville is because, to me, oval track racing is kind of our bread and butter, right? So we have that there. This is a great second choice to get to a city, but there’s nothing that’s going to top giving people true short track. What is NASCAR? Here it is. Take an Uber from Broadway to the racetrack and go watch,” he said via Cup Scene.
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
This defense emphasizes the roots of the sport, highlighting venues like Nashville Superspeedway as vital to NASCAR’s identity amid growing interest in street circuit events.
Current Standings and Upcoming Challenges for Elliott
With his recent victory at Atlanta, Chase Elliott has secured ten top-10 finishes this season, ranking second in the driver standings and trailing teammate William Byron by 13 points. The competitive gap underscores the ongoing battle for supremacy among Hendrick Motorsports drivers.
Looking ahead, Elliott is preparing for the upcoming race at Sonoma Raceway, a road course where he has consistently performed well, posting an average finish of 5.7 since the arrival of the Next Gen car. The 110-lap race is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, at 3:30 PM ET and will be broadcast on TNT Sports. Elliott’s strong history at Sonoma positions him as a contender once again.
These insights not only shed light on Chase Elliott’s mindset towards rivalry and racing strategy but also reflect the broader dynamics shaping NASCAR competitions this season.
