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Charlotte, NC – Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion and perennial fan favorite, has characterized his 2025 racing campaign as "good but not great," a sentiment stemming from high internal expectations at Hendrick Motorsports. While the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 secured two victories and achieved a respectable 11 top-5 and 19 top-10 finishes, Elliott and his team are striving for a higher echelon of performance.
The driver of the iconic No. 9 machine finished eighth in the final championship standings. However, a deeper statistical dive reveals a season of remarkable consistency. From the season opener at Daytona in February to the championship finale at Phoenix in November, Elliott accumulated the fourth-most points overall across the entire field. This sustained performance underscores the reputation for steady, high-level execution that the Hendrick Motorsports operation has cultivated over the past three seasons. Despite this consistent output, the benchmark for success set by Elliott and his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, involves more frequent visits to victory lane.
"I think for us, it was okay at times, and really solid at times, but it just wasn’t great," Elliott stated during a recent press conference held in conjunction with his record-setting eighth consecutive NASCAR Most Popular Driver award. "We’ve had some high spots here or there but certainly not as consistently doing that as what we would like."
A key area of focus for Elliott and the No. 9 team heading into the 2026 season is qualifying performance. This aspect of race weekend has emerged as a significant concern, impacting both the strategic advantage of pit stall selection and the ability to accumulate crucial stage points early in races. Elliott’s average starting position of 16.1 in 2025 represents a notable decline from his career average of 11.1. This statistical shift has demonstrably affected his ability to control the early stages of races and position himself optimally for the long haul.
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"The qualifying thing certainly has been a huge point of emphasis, throughout the course of the season," Elliott elaborated. "I felt like we gained on that the last couple of months. We were way more competitive in that regard." This acknowledgment suggests a concerted effort by the team to improve their Saturday performance, a critical component in the highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series.
The playoff format, designed to crown a champion through a win-and-advance system, inherently places drivers who consistently qualify for the postseason in a position to compete until the very end of the season. This was the case for Elliott in 2025, as his team demonstrated a resurgence in the latter half of the season, culminating in strong showings during the playoff run.
"I feel like some of our best performances all year really came in the last month and a half or so, which was nice," Elliott commented, reflecting on the team’s late-season momentum. "It’s always fun to end the season in a good spot." This positive trajectory, while encouraging, also highlights the gap between strong playoff contention and outright championship victory, a distinction Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports are keen to bridge.
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season saw a total of 36 points-paying races, beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 16th and concluding with the championship race at Phoenix Raceway on November 9th. Elliott’s two victories came at Darlington Raceway in the Cook Out Southern 500, a crucial playoff race, and at Martinsville Speedway in the penultimate race of the season, securing his advancement to the Championship 4.
His consistency was evident in the sheer number of top-tier finishes. Across the 36-race schedule, Elliott’s 11 top-5 results placed him among the elite drivers in terms of outright race-winning potential. His 19 top-10 finishes further solidified his status as a consistent contender, ensuring he was rarely out of contention for valuable points.
The championship battle itself was fiercely contested. The eventual 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Kyle Larson, also driving for Hendrick Motorsports, ultimately prevailed in a dramatic showdown at Phoenix. Larson’s championship run was marked by a blend of speed, strategic execution, and timely victories, including a dominant performance in the season finale. The internal competition within Hendrick Motorsports, with Elliott and Larson both vying for supremacy, has become a hallmark of the team’s recent success.
Elliott’s career statistics continue to be a testament to his talent and dedication. As of the conclusion of the 2025 season, he has accumulated 19 Cup Series victories, 141 top-5 finishes, and 231 top-10 finishes in 315 starts. His remarkable streak of making the NASCAR playoffs, which began in 2017 and continued through 2025, is a significant achievement in the modern era of stock car racing.
The focus on qualifying is not merely about starting position; it directly impacts race strategy. A better starting spot often translates to cleaner air, reduced tire wear, and improved track position throughout the race. Furthermore, a favorable pit stall location, often determined by qualifying order, can be critical during pit stops, especially under caution flags, allowing for more efficient service and quicker returns to the racing surface. For a team like Hendrick Motorsports, known for its meticulous preparation and strategic acumen, optimizing every aspect of race weekend, including qualifying, is paramount.
The team’s performance in the latter stages of the 2025 season, particularly in the playoff stretch, suggests that technical improvements and strategic adjustments were made. Elliott’s victory at Martinsville, a short track demanding precise handling and driver skill, was a significant indicator of the team’s upward trajectory. This strong finish, while not culminating in a championship, provides a positive foundation for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead to 2026, the competitive landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series remains intensely challenging. Established rivals and emerging talents will all be vying for supremacy. Hendrick Motorsports, with its deep resources and experienced personnel, is expected to remain a formidable force. The team’s ability to address Elliott’s concerns regarding qualifying, coupled with their ongoing pursuit of race-winning speed, will be crucial in their quest for a championship title.
The driver himself, a popular figure not only for his on-track prowess but also for his engaging personality and consistent sportsmanship, continues to be a significant draw for the sport. His candid assessment of his own performance reflects a maturity and a drive for continuous improvement that resonates with fans and competitors alike. While "good but not great" may be his current evaluation, the history of Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports suggests that the pursuit of greatness is an ongoing mission, one that will undoubtedly continue to shape the narrative of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The team’s ability to translate their season-long consistency into more victories and ultimately, a championship, will be a primary storyline to follow.
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