Chase Elliott Makes Personal Plea for Uncle Ernie’s NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – In a rare departure from his typical reserved demeanor during media availabilities, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott took the initiative to advocate for his uncle, Ernie Elliott, ahead of the upcoming NASCAR Hall of Fame voting. The plea, delivered spontaneously at the conclusion of a media session at Watkins Glen International on Saturday, underscored the profound impact Ernie Elliott has had on the Elliott family’s storied legacy in the sport.

While the official voting for the 2027 NASCAR Hall of Fame class is slated for later this month, Chase Elliott seized the opportunity to address the assembled media, including journalists who may hold voting influence. His appeal was not in response to a direct question but a deliberate statement of support for his uncle, a distinguished figure in NASCAR’s engine building and crew chief ranks.

"I know there’s a lot of very deserving names that are on the ballot and nominated," Elliott began, his tone shifting to one of earnest conviction. "I know some of you guys in the room are probably on the panel and vote and all those things. I’m not sure if a lot of the fans know this, but they also account for a vote, as well, from a fan vote online. I think it’s important for people to talk about that. I would be remiss to not talk about my Uncle Ernie who was nominated and on the ballot."

The significance of this endorsement is amplified by the fact that Chase Elliott’s father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, was inducted in 2025. Ernie Elliott, however, remains a nominee vying for recognition in the 2027 class.

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Chase Elliott elaborated on the deep-rooted connection between his family and the sport, emphasizing the collaborative nature of their success. "I don’t talk about stuff like this a lot, but you don’t have to dig very far into the Elliott racing story to recognize, one, how much of a family effort it was, how much of a team effort it was," he stated. "I don’t think you would find anybody in the group that would tell you the story has the same ending today throughout the course of the 80s, even leading into my career, that looks the same without Uncle Ernie and what he meant to all of us."

He further highlighted Ernie’s crucial role in his own racing journey. "I think from my perspective, he means a lot to me personally. He’s meant a lot to my career. He was building engines for our race cars, racing super late model races and all those things. So I’m just very grateful for him. I’m biased, but I wanted to at least just express how much of an important role he had on my dad’s career. The things and the success that they had, I don’t think it would have been the same without him, and I don’t know that everybody totally understands that."

Elliott recounted the value of his conversations with his uncle, painting a vivid picture of Ernie’s technical expertise and innovative spirit. "I get to have a lot of really cool conversations with him on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the week about things he was doing to the ‘85 Winston Million engine or the ‘87 Daytona 500 engine that you guys will never hear. And I take those things for granted, but I think they would blow your mind. The ingenuity and the things that he brought to the table for them was really second to none."

He concluded his impassioned plea by reiterating the caliber of his uncle’s contributions. "And again, there are a lot of very, very deserving names on the list that will get in and should get in, whether it be this year or another year down the road. But certainly I feel that he is one of the very deserving names on the list and one that doesn’t get talked about enough for the credit that he deserves. Yeah, it meant a lot to me. I appreciate his support throughout the years and wishing him the best on that."

Fans interested in casting their vote can do so online via the official NASCAR Hall of Fame voting portal: https://votes.nascar.com/tb_app/547388528.

A Legacy Forged in Engine Innovation and Championship Pedigree

Ernie Elliott’s significant contributions to NASCAR are deeply intertwined with the monumental success of his brother, Bill Elliott, and the broader Elliott racing dynasty. As Bill Elliott’s crew chief for 279 races, Ernie was a pivotal strategist and technical advisor, instrumental in securing 39 pole positions and 33 race victories. Their formidable partnership culminated in two Daytona 500 triumphs (1985, 1987) and two Southern 500 victories (1985, 1988).

The pinnacle of their on-track achievements came in 1985 when Bill Elliott, under Ernie’s guidance, became the inaugural winner of the Winston Million, a prestigious bonus for winning three of NASCAR’s four superspeedway races in a single season. This remarkable feat, coupled with consistent high-level performance, paved the way for their 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Beyond his role as crew chief, Ernie Elliott’s technical acumen shone brightest as an engine builder. His groundbreaking work earned him the distinction of Engine Builder of the Decade for the 1980s. A testament to his engineering prowess was the record-shattering 212.809 mph lap Bill Elliott achieved at Talladega Superspeedway in 1987, a feat made possible by the advanced engine technology developed by Ernie. His influence extended to Chase Elliott’s formative years in racing, where Ernie provided crucial support and expertise, laying another foundation for the family’s continued success.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Process and Nominees

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, May 19th, to determine the inductees for the 2027 class. The panel will select three individuals from the nominee pool to enter the Hall, along with the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

The selection process divides nominees into two categories: the Modern Ballot and the Pioneer Ballot. Two inductees will be chosen from the Modern Ballot, while a third will be selected from the Pioneer Ballot.

Ernie Elliott faces formidable competition on the Modern Ballot, which includes notable figures such as:

• Kevin Harvick
• Greg Biffle
• Ray Elder
• Neil Bonnett
• Jeff Burton
• Jack Sprague
• Tim Brewer
• Randy Dorton
• Randy LaJoie

The nominees on the Pioneer Ballot, representing earlier eras of the sport, are:

• Ray Fox
• Harry Hyde
• Banjo Matthews
• Herb Nab
• Larry Phillips

The outcome of the May 19th vote will reveal whether Ernie Elliott will join his brother in the esteemed halls of NASCAR history.

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