Chase Elliott Reflects on His 2025 NASCAR Season So Far

Chase Elliott, the talented driver for Hendrick Motorsports, has had an eventful season in 2025. After competing in 16 out of 36 races, he currently finds himself in fourth place in the regular season standings. Although he has yet to secure a win, the No. 9 Chevrolet driver has consistently finished within the top 20 across all races this year. His impressive average finishing position ranks third among all drivers, illustrating his ability to maintain competitiveness throughout the season.

As the season unfolds, Elliott’s spot in the playoffs appears secure, assuming there aren’t a surge of new winners in the coming weeks. When asked to evaluate his performance thus far, Elliott characterized his season as "good," yet he is aware that it doesn’t fully meet his expectations. "It’s not where I want to be, no doubt," he acknowledged.

The Journey So Far

Elliott elaborated on his season, highlighting both the highs and the challenges he has faced. "There have been some high spots," he noted. "To be honest, there have been weeks when we ran well, achieved solid finishes, and there were also weeks where we didn’t. I can go home some days thinking, ‘We were in the mix and had good pace.’ Those are the days I feel proud of. However, the weekends where we’re not even relevant are the ones that frustrate me the most."

Reflecting on the team’s performance, he remarked, "We’ve had more of those frustrating days than I’d like, and clearly, we want more success as a team. While I believe it has been a good season, I am not entirely satisfied. However, there’s still plenty of racing left in the year, and I think we’re in a position to turn mediocre days into something better. We can build on our experiences, and we still have opportunities ahead."

The Importance of Winning

While consistent performances are commendable, Elliott is acutely aware of the current racing format’s emphasis on winning. To advance far in the playoffs, accumulating victories is crucial. "Winning is far more important than just finishing in the top points," he explained. "It’s essential to secure Playoff points early rather than waiting until the end of the regular season to possibly get a few points, depending on your standings."

Elliott emphasized the need for both wins and strong finishes in the points standings to place himself in a favorable position. "Consistency is essential," he said. "But I think our team has done an admirable job of taking those tough days and digging deep to salvage something decent from them. It’s easy to give up when things aren’t going your way, but we keep pushing forward. We don’t know any better than to keep trying and to make the most of whatever situation we find ourselves in."

Analyzing Performance Gaps

Despite his solid pace this year, Elliott has faced challenges in achieving winning speeds. His teammates, William Byron and Kyle Larson, have both led over 750 laps, while Elliott has only managed to lead 95 laps thus far. Surprisingly, even Alex Bowman, who is ranked lower in the standings, has led more laps than Elliott.

When discussing the performance gap between him and his teammates, Elliott pinpointed qualifying as a key area for improvement. "There are many factors at play, but I think the most significant one is qualifying," he admitted. "It’s an area I’ve struggled with, no doubt. Looking at some races, like Michigan, we were extremely competitive once we got ourselves up front."

Elliott explained how starting position can drastically affect race dynamics. "Going from running around 10th to 20th to being in the top positions is like night and day. Being stuck in traffic can severely impact your car’s handling and overall performance," he noted. "Having a good pit stall and maintaining a front-running position can change the entire complexion of your race, which is often overlooked."

The Road Ahead

After recently achieving his first podium finish of the year in Mexico City, Chase Elliott is now gearing up for the upcoming race at Pocono, where he previously triumphed in the Cup series in 2022. In addition to his Cup participation, he is also set to compete in the Xfinity race this weekend, having started on a positive note by securing pole position for the event.

As the season progresses, Elliott remains focused on refining his skills, particularly in qualifying, to ensure that he can better position himself for race victories. "Improving in qualifying is essential for us to enhance our chances," he reiterated. "We need to work on that aspect to ensure we can capitalize on the opportunities that come our way."

Embracing Challenges and Opportunities

Elliott’s determination and commitment to improvement are evident in his approach to the season. He understands that while achieving a consistent performance is vital, the ultimate goal is to secure wins. "Every race day presents its unique challenges, and while we have had our ups and downs, I remain optimistic about what lies ahead," he stated.

The racing season is long, and the competition is fierce, but Elliott’s resilience and work ethic continue to shine through. With a strong support system in his team and a clear focus on improvement, he is poised to tackle the challenges that remain in the 2025 NASCAR season.

In conclusion, Chase Elliott’s journey through the 2025 season reflects both his talent and determination as a driver. With a solid standing in the playoffs and a commitment to enhancing his performance, he looks forward to the opportunities that await him on the track. As he prepares for the next races, his focus on winning and improving will undoubtedly play a crucial role in his pursuit of success.