rifan muazinCONCORD, NC – Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion and perennial fan favorite, has characterized his 2025 season as one of solid performance that ultimately did not reach the lofty "great" standard he and his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team have set for themselves. Despite securing two victories and demonstrating remarkable season-long consistency, Elliott expressed a nuanced view of his campaign, highlighting areas for improvement as the team pivots towards the 2026 season.
The statistics for Elliott’s 2025 season paint a picture of a competitive driver and team. He recorded two wins, achieved 11 top-five finishes, and accumulated 19 top-10 finishes. In the current championship format, this translated to an eighth-place finish in the final standings. However, a deeper dive into the season’s points accumulation reveals a more telling narrative. Elliott amassed the fourth-highest total points from the season opener at Daytona in February through the championship finale at Phoenix in November. This consistent point-scoring capability has become a hallmark of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports operation over the past three seasons, underscoring their ability to perform reliably week in and week out.
Yet, for a driver and team accustomed to contending for championships, the win total, while respectable, was not deemed sufficient. "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, notably held in conjunction with his acknowledgment of receiving the Most Popular Driver award, an accolade he has won for an unprecedented string of consecutive years. "We’ve had some high spots here or there but certainly not as consistently doing that as what we would like."
This self-assessment points to an internal drive for perfection that transcends mere statistical success. While the team’s ability to consistently finish races in strong positions is evident, the qualitative leap from "solid" to "great" often hinges on maximizing opportunities and converting strong runs into victories, particularly in the high-stakes playoff environment.
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One of the most significant areas of focus for Elliott and his team heading into the 2026 season is qualifying performance. His average starting position of 16.1 in 2025 represents a notable dip from his career average of 11.1. This statistical downturn has had tangible consequences on race weekends. A lower starting position not only impacts the team’s ability to gain valuable stage points in the early portions of races but also places them at a disadvantage when selecting pit stalls, a crucial strategic element in NASCAR racing.
"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 proactive approach to addressing the deficit, with the team potentially identifying and implementing solutions in the latter stages of the 2025 season. The improvement in qualifying towards the end of the year offers a positive indicator of progress and a foundation upon which to build for the upcoming season.
The nature of the NASCAR playoff system means that drivers who qualify for the postseason are engaged in championship contention for the duration of the playoff rounds. This extended competitive window often allows these drivers to maintain a high level of performance and focus throughout the latter part of the season. Elliott’s observation that some of his team’s strongest performances occurred in the final month and a half of the 2025 season aligns with this dynamic.
"I feel like some of our best performances all year really came in the last month and a half or so, which was nice," he commented. "It’s always fun to end the season in a good spot." This sentiment reflects the psychological boost and competitive momentum that can be generated by peaking at the right time. Finishing the season strong, even if it doesn’t culminate in a championship, provides valuable data, reinforces team cohesion, and sets a positive trajectory for the subsequent year.
Hendrick Motorsports, a storied organization in NASCAR history, has consistently fielded championship-caliber teams. Elliott, as the driver of the flagship No. 9 car, carries significant expectations from both the team and the fanbase. The team’s consistent presence in the playoffs over recent years is a testament to their engineering prowess, crew chief acumen, and driver talent. However, the ultimate measure of success in stock car racing remains championships, and Elliott’s candid assessment suggests a collective ambition to reach that pinnacle more frequently.
The 2025 season, while not a championship year, provided valuable lessons and confirmed the team’s ability to be a consistent contender. The focus on qualifying, coupled with the demonstrated strength in the latter part of the season, indicates a strategic approach to development. As NASCAR’s premier series continues to evolve, with new car technologies and track configurations, the adaptability and continuous improvement of teams like Hendrick Motorsports, led by drivers like Chase Elliott, will be crucial in determining future success. The quest for that elusive "great" season, one defined by championship glory, remains the ultimate objective for Elliott and the No. 9 team as they prepare for the challenges of 2026.
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