On a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared the story behind how Chase Elliott secured the iconic No. 9 car at Hendrick Motorsports. The conversation, which took place amid ongoing NASCAR excitement in 2025, revealed Elliott’s hesitation about switching car numbers, and how Earnhardt Jr. played a modest but crucial role in making the change happen.
Chase Elliott, a native of Dawsonville, Georgia, first made his NASCAR Cup Series debut with Hendrick Motorsports in 2015 as a part-time driver. By the following season, he secured a full-time ride, taking over Jeff Gordon’s legendary No. 24 Chevrolet for two years. In 2018, Elliott transitioned to the No. 9 Chevrolet, a number deeply tied to his family’s racing heritage. His father famously debuted in the Cup Series with the No. 9 and raced it on numerous occasions throughout his career. This connection made the number highly meaningful for Chase Elliott.
How Dale Earnhardt Jr. Helped Chase Elliott Claim the No. 9 Car
Before Elliott could officially adopt the No. 9, it was essential to gain approval from key figures, including Richard Petty, who gave his blessing for the number to be used by Elliott. Despite this, the driver himself hesitated to discuss the switch with Rick Hendrick, worried about disappointing both Hendrick and Jeff Gordon.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped in to help bridge that gap. He spoke with Rick Hendrick on Elliott’s behalf and then encouraged Elliott to approach Hendrick directly. Earnhardt Jr. recalled this moment on the podcast:
“I called Chase back. I’m like, dude, I talked to Rick. He’s open to the idea. I said, ‘I’m serious.’ You need to get in front of him and see if y’all can figure it out. So, um, yeah, cuz I knew down in there somewhere that that’s really truly what he wanted, but he didn’t want to disappoint Jeff and Rick.” Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“It was good for everybody. But, um, you know, and he’d ran the nine here, and nine had been his number, right? So, um, yeah, so I was, I was, what small role I played in sort of kicking the ball down the hill. I was happy to do because Chase, I wanted that for Chase, you know, he’s doing, he’s living his dream racing, and, and, uh, you know, it’s just too good of an opportunity for it not to be perfect.” Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This switch not only honored the Elliott family legacy but also gave Chase a new sense of identity within Hendrick Motorsports. The No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has since become synonymous with Elliott’s rise in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Chase Elliott’s 2025 Season and Playoff Standing
Currently ranked seventh in the 2025 Cup Series playoffs with 3013 points, Chase Elliott has shown strong performance this season. After a challenging winless stretch, Elliott ended his drought by winning the second race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. That victory helped him secure his spot in the playoffs, where the competition remains fierce.
Besides his win, Elliott has also accumulated 14 top-ten finishes and eight top-five finishes during 2025, demonstrating consistency along with his speed behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevy.
Chase Elliott Discusses Breaking His Winless Streak
In an interview on the Dale Jr. Download podcast in July 2025, Chase Elliott opened up about the challenges of maintaining motivation through an extended period without wins. His previous victory before the Atlanta race came early in the 2024 season at Texas Motor Speedway, after which he experienced a lengthy winless run.
Reflecting on this difficult period, Elliott described the pressure and determination driving him forward:
“Man, we’ve just been doing this long enough to know, like, it all kind of starts and ends with us. We have to make sure we’re doing our part, and I’m doing my part and just bringing everything I can possibly bring every single week. It’s the honest conversations that we have on Monday mornings that are either going to make us better or make us fail. All of the pieces of the puzzle are there. We’re working on the right things.” Chase Elliott
This candid discussion reveals Elliott’s commitment to self-improvement and teamwork despite the intense pressure NASCAR drivers face during a long and competitive season.
Legacy at Hendrick Motorsports: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Career Overview
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s connection to Hendrick Motorsports runs deep, having driven the No. 88 Chevrolet full-time from 2008 to 2017. Over 340 starts, Earnhardt Jr. earned nine wins, 73 top-five finishes, 139 top-ten finishes, and eight pole positions. His experience and influence have shaped both his own career and, as demonstrated with Chase Elliott, the careers of fellow drivers within the Hendrick organization.
Earnhardt Jr.’s role in supporting Elliott’s number change is one example of the collaboration and respect that exists inside the team, contributing to its ongoing success in NASCAR.
The Importance of the No. 9 Number and What’s Ahead
The No. 9 car symbolizes more than just a number for Chase Elliott—it reflects his family’s racing roots and personal journey in NASCAR. This connection enhances the significance of his achievements and motivates him to perform at his best. With the 2025 playoffs underway, Elliott’s ability to carry forward this legacy while competing at the highest level will be crucial.
As the season progresses, fans and teams alike will watch closely to see if Elliott can convert his strong performances into additional victories and, ultimately, contend for another championship in this number that holds such personal importance.
