Chase Elliott, once hailed for his 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship, has faced increasing challenges since then, with his recent performance triggering growing concern. After maintaining Top 4 standings in the two seasons following his title, Elliott experienced a sharp decline in 2023, failing to qualify for the Playoffs and ending the year without a single victory. Despite missing races due to injury and suspension that season, his winless trajectory continued into 2024, only ending briefly with a victory at Texas Motor Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver’s current standing in the points does not reflect the pressure he faces, as success for a competitor of his caliber is measured by wins rather than consistency.
Elliott’s frustration is evident ahead of the 2025 season’s All-Star race, as he candidly acknowledged,
“We’ve kinda been all over the board.”
This unsettled state is a cause for concern not only for him but also for the team, with veteran racer Kevin Harvick highlighting the critical need for Elliott to break his winless streak to restore confidence at Hendrick Motorsports.
Kevin Harvick Emphasizes Urgency for a Victory
Kevin Harvick expressed the urgency surrounding Chase Elliott’s situation during a recent appearance on the Happy Hour podcast. According to Harvick,
“The few cars that really need to win, are the #9. The #9 car really needs to win, for them to keep their confidence level where they are. I think Chase Elliott has to win, I think that’s the expectation he has, the team has, organization, and Alan has as the crew chief. They’re consistent, finishing races, dotting the eyes, they’re good on pit road. Doing all the things they need to do, but they’re not winning. If they don’t win soon, that frustration is going to build.”
Elliott’s current drought has extended to 38 races—spanning over an entire NASCAR season—without a win, alongside a notable lack of stage victories or playoff bonus points in 2025. Comparisons to fellow drivers like Bubba Wallace and Josh Berry, who have accumulated more playoff points and led more laps this season, intensify the spotlight on him. A recent pit road error at Kansas Speedway thwarted one of Elliott’s best chances to secure another win, compounding the pressure as teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron continue to vie for victories and lead laps.
Adjustments to the #9 Team Aim to Reverse Fortunes
Recognizing that pit crew performance can decisively impact race outcomes, Hendrick Motorsports has made strategic changes to support Elliott’s bid for a breakthrough win. After recent struggles at Kansas, the team approved a reshuffling involving swapping rear tire changers between Elliott and Justin Haley, bringing Calvin Teague onto Elliott’s crew while assigning Chad Avrit to William Byron’s #7 team. With these changes intended to resolve pit stop concerns, Elliott approaches his next race at Charlotte equipped with fresh support. Notably, he has twice finished second in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, fueling optimism that this could be the venue where he ends his winless streak and claims a prestigious crown jewel victory.
Other High-Profile Drivers Also Face Winless Pressure in 2025
Chase Elliott is not the only leading driver confronting a challenging winless stretch in 2025. Kevin Harvick also underscored Kyle Busch’s critical need for a timely victory to avoid instability amid ongoing contract uncertainties.
“The other one is the #8. I think that if Kyle Busch, that doesn’t stabilize, with everything that we’ve talked about with contracts. That could boil over before its all said and done, if there’s not some bright spots pretty quickly,”
Harvick noted.
Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, boasts a longer track record of success than Elliott but has similarly faced a rough period. After securing three wins in 2023 and setting the record for most consecutive winning seasons, Busch experienced his first winless full season in 2024. Despite coming close on several occasions, victories have eluded him this year. As Busch approaches contract renewal talks with Richard Childress Racing, the pressure to deliver positive results grows, with speculation about his future already surfacing in the NASCAR community.
Implications for Hendrick Motorsports and the Future Outlook
The extended winless streaks of marquee drivers like Chase Elliott signal potential turbulence for Hendrick Motorsports and other top teams in 2025. Success in NASCAR relies heavily on the ability to not only accumulate points but also secure critical wins that boost morale and maintain organizational confidence. Elliott’s situation is especially precarious given Hendrick Motorsports’ history and fan expectations, which emphasize victory lane appearances as a measure of true competitiveness.
With strategic crew changes and an all-or-nothing mindset, the #9 team is positioning itself for a rebound, understanding that prolonged frustration could jeopardize both driver confidence and team dynamics. Observers will closely watch Elliott’s performance in upcoming races such as Charlotte, where past near-wins offer hope for a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch’s results will be equally scrutinized as he battles to maintain momentum and secure his position in NASCAR beyond 2025.
