Chase Elliott Aims for His First Win in a Challenging Season for NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver

Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, remains one of the sport’s biggest stars. However, his 2025 season has been anything but smooth. As NASCAR’s most popular driver for several years running, Elliott faces immense pressure to perform. But as the weeks go by, one major question looms over his season:

Can Chase Elliott secure his first victory of the year and get his championship campaign back on track?

With mounting challenges, strong competition, and high expectations, Elliott and his Hendrick Motorsports team have work to do. In this deep dive, we’ll analyze his struggles, potential turning points, and what it will take for him to finally reach victory lane.

The High Expectations for Chase Elliott in 2025

As the face of NASCAR, Chase Elliott carries a weight of expectation that few drivers experience. His Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet is consistently one of the fastest cars in the Cup Series, and fans expect him to be a title contender year after year.

Why Expectations Were Sky-High in 2025:

Hendrick Motorsports’ dominance – HMS has been a powerhouse in recent years, with Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Alex Bowman all securing wins early in the season.
Elliott’s past success – As a former Cup Series champion, he’s proven he can compete at the highest level.
Fan popularity and pressure – Being NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for six consecutive years comes with heightened scrutiny.

Despite these factors, Elliott has yet to secure a victory, leaving fans wondering: What’s going wrong?

A Season of Frustration: Elliott’s 2025 Challenges

Elliott’s winless streak this season has been surprising, especially given the speed of his car. A mix of bad luck, strategic missteps, and fierce competition has kept him from taking the checkered flag.

1. Bad Luck and Unfortunate Incidents

Several races have seen Elliott’s strong performances undone by circumstances beyond his control.

At Daytona, a last-lap crash ended his bid for a season-opening victory.

A pit road speeding penalty at Atlanta cost him a shot at the win.

At Circuit of the Americas (COTA), a fuel mileage miscalculation forced him to pit late, costing him valuable track position.

These incidents have made an already difficult season even more frustrating.

2. Increased Competition from Other Teams

While Hendrick Motorsports remains one of the best teams in NASCAR, the 2025 season has seen other organizations step up:

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has been dominant, with Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell winning multiple races.

Team Penske has shown strong speed, with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano consistently competing at the front.

Trackhouse Racing continues to impress, with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen proving to be serious contenders.

This increased competition has made wins harder to come by for Elliott.

3. Adjusting to the Next Gen Car Evolution

The Next Gen car has been a game-changer in NASCAR. While Elliott has had success with it in previous seasons, minor rule changes and setups in 2025 have required drivers to adapt.

The tire degradation at certain tracks has made strategy more unpredictable.

The aero package adjustments have shifted how cars handle on intermediate tracks.

Elliott’s driving style, which thrives on consistency and long-run speed, has struggled at times with the newer setups.

To break his winless streak, Elliott and his team must fine-tune their adjustments and capitalize on key opportunities.

Where Can Chase Elliott Win? His Best Chances to Break Through

Despite the challenges, Elliott’s talent remains undeniable, and several upcoming races present prime opportunities for him to secure his first win.

1. Road Course Dominance: Can Elliott Return to Victory Lane?

Elliott has long been considered one of NASCAR’s best road course racers, and with races at Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Chicago Street Course still on the schedule, he has strong chances to win.

Career Road Course Wins: 7 (most among active drivers)
Sonoma History: 3 top-5 finishes in the last 5 races
Watkins Glen: One of his best tracks, with multiple wins

If Elliott is going to win soon, a road course race could be his best bet.

2. Short Tracks: Can Elliott Outrun the Competition?

Short tracks like Bristol, Martinsville, and Richmond are also strong opportunities for Elliott. He has historically performed well at these venues, and his ability to manage tire wear and braking zones could be key to securing a win.

3. Superspeedways: The Daytona Redemption?

Elliott has come close at Daytona and Talladega multiple times. With another chance at Daytona later in the year, could he redeem himself and take home a victory?

2023 Talladega Finish: 2nd place
Daytona 500 Runner-Up: Twice in his career

If he can avoid the “big one” and stay in contention, Elliott has a real shot at securing his first win on a superspeedway.

The Mental Battle: How Elliott Is Handling the Pressure

A winless streak can be mentally taxing for any driver, but especially for Chase Elliott, who carries the weight of millions of fans and high expectations.

How Elliott Is Staying Focused:

Remaining patient – Despite frustration, Elliott continues to stay focused on improvement rather than dwelling on setbacks.

Trusting his team – His Hendrick Motorsports crew is one of the best in the business, and he believes they will find the right adjustments.

Blocking out the noise – While critics and fans have voiced concerns, Elliott remains committed to his process.

In recent interviews, Elliott has emphasized his confidence that a win is coming, stating:

“We know we’re close. We’ve had fast cars, and it’s just about putting everything together at the right time.”

What a Win Would Mean for Chase Elliott in 2025

If Elliott can finally secure his first victory of the season, it would be a massive momentum shift.

Why a Win Is Crucial:

Locks him into the playoffs – A win guarantees a playoff spot, relieving some pressure.
Boosts team morale – Winning would energize his team and solidify their confidence heading into the postseason.
Silences critics – A victory would quiet the doubters who have questioned his ability to win in 2025.

More importantly, it would reaffirm Elliott’s place among NASCAR’s elite, proving that he remains a serious championship contender.

Can Chase Elliott Turn His Season Around?

Chase Elliott’s 2025 season has been filled with frustration, close calls, and challenges. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that great drivers always find a way to win.

He has the talent.
He has the team.
He has opportunities ahead.

It’s only a matter of time before Chase Elliott finds victory lane again. The only question is: Where will it happen?

With road courses, short tracks, and superspeedways still on the calendar, Elliott’s first win of 2025 may be right around the corner.