Chase Elliott asks himself question about his – Sports News
Chase Elliott is NASCAR’s hottest driver (Image: Getty)
NASCAR’s hottest driver, Chase Elliott, even questions his own reputation in a frank admission forward of Sunday’s 2026 season-opening Daytona 500.
Elliott, 30, a one-time Cup Series champion, has been named NASCAR’s hottest driver for the final eight years in a row, carrying on the recognition of his dad, Hall of Famer Bill, who gained it 16 occasions. The Hendrick Motorsports star, who will begin Sunday’s Daytona 500 from fourth after profitable the second duel earlier this week, is midway to matching his legendary dad’s complete — however first he has to catch Dale Earnhardt Jr., who completed one shy of Bill.
Popularity clearly runs within the Elliott household, and it is a identify NASCAR followers have grown to like over the many years. Still, Elliott questions his own reputation generally. “I ask myself that some days myself,” Elliott mentioned when requested why he is so in style.
“Look, I think for me, if you’ve followed the history of racing at all, my family has had a huge stance in the sport for a long time.”
“He did. He did,” Elliott responded when requested about his dad being a serial reputation award winner. “And I’ve always tried to make sure that it’s, from my position, it’s such a reflection of them, right?
“Like, my dad and my uncles and my grandfather, they’ve put a lot time into this sport, and I believe that they have been simply a very easy group of guys for followers to love over time, and so they had a lot of success. They sort of did it their method, and people love that.
Chase Elliott will begin the Daytona 500 from fourth (Image: Getty)
“And I think for me, I came into a situation that was advantageous because of the road that they have paved, and I’ve always tried to make sure that that reflection is really about them and the heritage more so than it is about me, and I’ll always feel that way, no matter whether I win the award or not win the award.
“I’m proud to sort of carry that legacy ahead and attempt to do it to the best of my skill and how I believe they’d need me to do it as properly.”
Elliott could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of NASCAR ditching its playoff system and returning to “The Chase,” rewarding drivers across the entire Cup Series season. Despite not having won a championship since 2020, Elliott has been one of NASCAR’s most consistent performers alongside Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson.
Elliott and Blaney’s title chances
In a recent episode of NASCAR: Inside The Race, veteran crew chief Steve Letarte and former driver Kyle Petty named Elliott as the driver to watch this season. “I believe Chase Elliott is a driver who races a little like his character,” Letarte said.
“He’s very respectful. He’s level-headed. He makes a lot of good selections … Mr. Consistent final 12 months. Alan [Gustafson] is so good on high of the pit box. So, I believe he could be the one I’d have circled, as I believe the format fits him the best,” he added.
Petty said Blaney was hampered by early DNFs last season – but like Elliott, the Team Penske star will be in championship contention. “What occurred to Blaney final 12 months, you possibly can’t put that on him. But I’m going to make use of that as an instance,” Petty said.
“It was so unhealthy final 12 months. It’s received to get higher this 12 months. He’s not in the identical league with Chase Elliot in terms of Mr. Consistency. But I believe he is fairly good.”
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