Chase Elliott, widely celebrated in NASCAR with seven consecutive Most Popular Driver awards, has built a respected career beyond the legacy of his Hall of Fame father, Bill Elliott. While many in the sport, like Austin Dillon, often endure criticism for racing under family influence, Elliott has forged his own path. His Chase Elliott racing career beginnings trace back well before his Cup Series success, starting in go-karts at a young age.
Before accumulating 20 Cup Series wins over 11 seasons, Elliott had an impressive late model racing career where he won several notable events and achieved an unofficial grand slam in super late model racing. However, he recently revealed on Lindsay Czarniak’s YouTube podcast Things No One Tells You that his racing journey actually began around age eight, piloting go-karts for fun rather than serious competition.
He reflected,
It was a hobby, and you were out having a good time. I wouldn’t say things started to get really serious until I was 13, 14. I mean, still, that’s a very young age, I feel like to have to kind of recognize the severity of what’s going on.
—Chase Elliott
The Transition to Competitive Racing and Embracing Pressure
By the time Elliott was 13 or 14, he started racing late models and recognized the increasing seriousness of the sport. Carrying the expectations of being Bill Elliott’s son brought added pressure, but Elliott emphasized the importance of personal drive. He noted,
You have to have that desire on your own to want to go do it. Obviously, I admired Dad’s career and always looked up to him from the racing side.
—Chase Elliott
Throughout his development, he learned valuable lessons and strategies not only from his father but also from many industry veterans involved in the sport. Despite the demanding schedule and time spent away from typical childhood activities, including weekends with friends, Elliott’s passion for racing remained strong.
Although he sometimes wished to enjoy ordinary experiences like his peers, that early determination was crucial. It was this steady ambition that ultimately propelled him to become one of NASCAR’s top drivers.
How Family Support Helped Elliott Navigate Expectations
Elliott credited the way his father raised him for allowing him to pursue racing on his own terms. He explained that his parents always gave him the choice to quit if he wanted, no matter the level of success or setbacks. He shared that if he had told them,
Hey, mom and dad! I don’t want to do this anymore,
they would have been completely supportive.
This freedom helped Elliott avoid being overshadowed by constant comparisons to his father’s achievements, giving him space to build his own legacy. Even so, Elliott openly expressed his desire to reach the same heights of greatness that Bill Elliott attained during his career.
