Chase Elliott, once dominant on NASCAR’s road courses, has encountered a notable challenge since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022. He openly acknowledged that road racing feels unfamiliar now, with his performance dropping compared to previous seasons despite his past success. This shift has made competing on these tracks markedly more difficult for him.
Elliott explained,
“Since the new car came in, it’s been totally different, truthfully. The success in this new car, it’s not even a different chapter. It’s like a different book. So, I wouldn’t even compare that if it were me. I think it’s just happenstance that we have fired off well.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Past Success Compared to Recent Results at Watkins Glen and Other Tracks
At Watkins Glen, the venue for the upcoming Cup Series race, Elliott secured wins in both 2018 and 2019, showcasing his road course expertise. In the Next Gen era, however, his results have been mixed: a fourth-place finish in 2022, slipping to 32nd in 2023, and 19th last year. Similar patterns have emerged at other road racing tracks, where victories have eluded him despite maintaining strong overall consistency.
Current Season Performance and Position in the Standings
Despite struggles specifically on road courses, Elliott remains a strong contender this season, currently sitting second in the points standings behind William Byron. His average finish of 10.3 is the highest among all drivers and ranks as his second-best at this stage of any season. Notably, Elliott is the only driver to finish within the top 20 in every race across 23 events this year. His consistent results provide a foundation of momentum as he approaches the next challenge at Watkins Glen.
Chase Elliott’s Pursuit of the Regular Season Championship
Winning a Cup Series race awards five playoff points, and claiming the regular season championship adds a bonus of 15 playoff points. With three races remaining in the regular season, Elliott and his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, recognize the importance of accumulating these points as they aim for playoff advantages.
Gustafson emphasized their goal, saying,
“We obviously want to win the regular season but more importantly than that, we want to win some races,”
—Alan Gustafson, Crew Chief
He further expressed enthusiasm about upcoming races at Richmond and Daytona, tracks where Elliott has previously shown strong performances, underlining hopes that timing and luck will align in their favor.
Significance and Outlook for Elliott’s Road Course Future
Chase Elliott’s admission highlights how the Next Gen car has transformed the nature of road course racing, presenting new challenges even for a former specialist. While his lap times and track positions have fluctuated at road venues, his season-long consistency keeps him firmly in championship contention. The coming races will be crucial, as Elliott looks to regain his winning form and secure valuable playoff points ahead of the postseason.
