Chase Elliott, a prominent driver for Hendrick Motorsports, has been waiting for a win for over a year, ever since his last victory during the ninth race of the 2024 season in Texas. As he heads into this weekend’s race at Talladega Motor Speedway, a track where he’s celebrated two past victories, Elliott is fueled with determination. His aim is to join his teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson in the upcoming playoffs by claiming a victory this weekend.
Elliott’s affinity for Talladega runs deep, nurtured by a bond with the track that he fondly regards as a second home. This sentiment is due not only to its geographical proximity to his hometown but also to the enthusiastic fan base present there. Elliott’s appreciation for the support and familiar environment at Talladega has made his numerous Cup race outings memorable. As he shares, “Yeah, this track has always kind of been, to me, a second home track in a lot of ways, because of the distance. And I feel like the fans here have always been really good to us and good to me. I’ve always recognized that and appreciated that, and it’s one of the reasons why I always look forward to coming here. I’ve always enjoyed coming over here. It’s close to home.”
Kyle Larson, Elliott’s teammate and the 2020 Cup champion, also cherishes Talladega, despite the unpredictable results on his record. His optimism is fueled by the track’s reputation as an optimal drafting track, which aligns well with his team’s strategy. Larson comments, “Talladega is probably the best drafting track for myself and our team, even if the results don’t show it. We were able to get a top five earlier this year at Atlanta (Motor Speedway) so I’m hoping that with Cliff’s strategy we can once again have a good showing.”
William Byron, another Hendrick Motorsports driver and the 2025 Daytona 500 winner, is eagerly anticipating the Talladega race weekend. While he has tasted victory at Atlanta and Daytona, Talladega still eludes him. Nevertheless, Byron remains hopeful about his prospects this time, “Talladega is the only drafting track I haven’t been able to win at. We’ve been close a lot, especially the last couple races. I think we really have our drafting package in a good place. It would be nice to come back from the break and start it off with a win, but the main goal is to survive and get a good showing in the end.”
Alex Bowman, driving the No. 48 car, is also focused on tackling the mental demands of Talladega. His goal is to secure his first NASCAR Cup race victory, contributing to an already compelling week for the Chevrolet powerhouse.
Chase Elliott’s forthcoming performance at Talladega has implications far beyond personal achievements, as it sets the stage for his potential entry into the playoffs, alongside teammates Byron and Larson. With the playoffs looming, the result will significantly impact the dynamics within Hendrick Motorsports. The weekend promises high stakes and even higher emotions, as Elliott and his team strive to claim a victory in a place that has become synonymous with excitement and sentimental value for the NASCAR star.
