Chase Elliott’s ‘distinctive’ NASCAR link to Dale – Sports News
NASCAR star Chase Elliott has opened up on his “unique” connection to Dale Earnhardt Jr. after committing to a restricted return to JR Motorsports within the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Elliott, a one-time Cup Series champion, drove for Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports full-time within the previously Xfinity Series between 2014 and 2015 earlier than transferring back to Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR’s premier stock car racing collection.
The iconic No. 9 made historical past, successful NASCAR’s second-tier national collection in his rookie marketing campaign. He adopted it up with a second a yr later, putting himself as one of NASCAR’s hottest prospects, reaching that potential in 2020 when he was topped Cup Series champion. However, Elliott and Earnhardt Jr.’s connection goes past the latter giving the NASCAR hotshot a platform within the Xfinity Series.
The pair share some distinctive similarities, one thing Elliott touched on during a 2021 interview with the UPI. “Our paths with our fathers and how that has transpired is similar. His road is different than mine in a lot of ways, but in some ways similar,” Elliott mentioned.
“We share some things that are unique. I’ve always respected him and how he has dealt with [challenges] throughout his life. The man and person he is today is really impressive. He seems like he has life organized correctly, which is something we can all appreciate.”
Elliott additional drew parallels between his and Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR expertise. “Most people who have followed NASCAR for any period have heard of my dad or certainly of Dale Sr,” Elliott mentioned.
He added, “When you have a dad involved in something like that, it breeds added attention to their kid. It’s not that Dale or I asked for that, but we both wanted to race and both enjoyed it. That was all we knew.”
“Fortunately for him and me, we had the right opportunities at the right times and were able to chase our dreams,” Elliott continued. “And the fans have been supportive the whole way.”
The Elliott No. 9
Elliott additionally credit Earnhardt Jr. for his Cup Series change from Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 to the long-lasting No. 9. From 1976 to 1991, and 2001 to 2003, his dad, NASCAR Hall of Famer Elliott, drove the No. 9 to a championship and two Daytona 500 wins.
Elliott carried the quantity in Xfinity however had to wait a couple of years earlier than getting his fingers on the No. 9 within the Cup. During the Bobby Bones Podcast BobbySolid episode, Elliott advised Bones that Earnhardt was the one who pushed him to change his quantity.
“Dale Jr really deserves the credit for the number switch from my perspective, because he’s like, ‘Hey if you’re going to make this change,’ which he knew I wanted to do it, but I never really said, ‘Hey, you need to speak up about this right now because you’re probably not going to have another opportunity to do it.’ He knew there was some change coming,” Elliott mentioned, because the 2018 quantity shakeup occurred following Alex Bowman and William Byron changing Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne.
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