Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, possesses every advantage to become one of the sport’s all-time greats, including a dominant team at Hendrick Motorsports, a loyal fanbase, major sponsors, and a skilled crew. However, his results in Cup events have not lived up to expectations, a situation that has drawn criticism from former racer Kyle Petty. Despite Elliott’s significant backing, his performance in recent seasons has disappointed many racing fans who expected more consistent victories.
Kyle Petty Highlights the Gap Between Elliott and His Teammates
In a recent segment for NASCAR’s YouTube channel, Kyle Petty candidly addressed Chase Elliott’s struggles. The Georgia-born driver has only secured six wins in the Next-Gen car era, five of which came during the 2022 season when he also earned the regular season championship. Since then, Elliott has only sporadically achieved top-10 finishes and lacks any dominant runs. Meanwhile, his Hendrick Motorsports teammates have performed better; Kyle Larson has won sixteen races, and William Byron has collected twelve wins in the same period, underscoring Elliott’s relative decline within the team.
This disparity has fueled Petty’s view that Elliott is not stepping up to the level expected of a driver with his resources. Additionally, Larson’s rising popularity seems to be eroding Elliott’s once-solid status as the sport’s most popular figure, further highlighting the performance gap.
If we say internal competition, Larson has won three. Byron has won one, dominated Darlington, and was strong at Nashville. Is Chase stepping up?
Kyle Petty asked via NASCAR’s YouTube channel.
Petty Emphasizes the Disappointment of Fans and Sponsors
Petty underscored the low number of wins Elliott has achieved since 2023, drawing attention to the fact that the driver widely recognized as the “most popular” in the sport has only won a single race during this time. This lack of victories, Petty argues, is troubling not just for fans but for the Hendrick Motorsports team and sponsors who expect strong performances.
Since 2023, Chase Elliott has won only one race. One race, people. I know you’ve got all the t-shirts, I know you’ve got all the hats, I know he’s Mr. Most Popular. But how can our most popular driver not win races and not even be the best driver in the team he drives for?
Kyle Petty added.
Examining Whether Elliott’s Current Level Meets Expectations
Further discussing Elliott’s form, Kyle Petty questioned if the driver’s recent achievements satisfy the high hopes of his followers, sponsors, and Hendrick Motorsports itself. Petty implied that the performance delivered so far falls short in all these key areas, presenting a potential problem for all stakeholders.
Is that good enough? Is that good enough for what the fans’ expectations are? Is that good enough for the Hendrick organization? Is that good enough for the sponsors? If it is, more power to you.
Kyle Petty said.
Petty stressed that NASCAR is a sport centered on race wins and championships, demanding drivers to perform at their best when it counts. He voiced concern over complacency with merely moderate success and insisted that Chase Elliott needs to elevate his game to meet the standards expected of a top-tier competitor.
But in a sport where we reward wins and we reward championships, we need somebody to step up. Chase has got to step up. And if we are complacent and we are satisfied with as good as it gets, so be it. I am not.
Kyle Petty added.
Implications for Elliott’s Career and Hendrick Motorsports’ Future
Kyle Petty’s candid remarks may disappoint some of Elliott’s devout supporters, but they reflect valid concerns about the driver’s recent underperformance. As Elliott faces mounting pressure from inside and outside his team, many eyes will be on him to see if he can regain his winning form and silence critics. The challenge will be to reassert his position as a top competitor within Hendrick Motorsports and the broader NASCAR Cup Series.
Should Elliott manage to bounce back, it will be crucial not only for his career but also for the sport, as having a popular driver who consistently wins elevates NASCAR’s profile. Conversely, continued struggles may shift fan attention more firmly towards his teammates like Larson and Byron, altering the team dynamics and fan allegiances moving forward.
