Chase Elliott’s Championship Pedigree Faces a Critical Crossroads
A startling statistic hangs over the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports camp: Chase Elliott has secured only one victory in his last 84 Cup Series events. While a fifth-place standing in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series points standings might suggest stability, it masks a troubling trend – a significant decline in performance for a driver who once effortlessly collected wins and a 2020 championship. The question isn’t whether Elliott is still capable, but whether the team around him can rediscover the winning formula before a championship contender becomes a mid-pack fixture.
The Disconnect at Hendrick Motorsports
The contrast within Hendrick Motorsports is stark. While teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron consistently find themselves in victory lane, Elliott struggles to lead laps and consistently challenge for wins. This isn’t simply a matter of bad luck. Elliott’s single win in the last 84 races, following his initial victory at Watkins Glen in 2018, represents the longest drought of his career. The team’s struggles are particularly concerning given Elliott’s proven talent and the resources available at Hendrick Motorsports. The issue isn’t a lack of potential; it’s an inability to consistently unlock it.
Pit Stop Woes and Crew Chief Questions
Recent performance issues point to systemic problems. The No. 9 team’s pit crew has been a source of frustration, prompting a minor adjustment after a costly mistake at Kansas Speedway. However, a pit crew fix is often a symptom, not the root cause. The pressure is mounting on crew chief Alan Gustafson, who has been with Elliott since 2016. While Gustafson has a proven track record, the current results raise legitimate questions about whether a change in leadership could revitalize the team. The team needs to address the fundamental issues impacting performance, and that may require a difficult decision.
Beyond the Numbers: A Loss of Dominance
The numbers tell a story, but they don’t capture the full picture. Elliott isn’t just losing races; he’s losing the ability to control races. He’s led the fewest laps among the four Hendrick drivers, relying on late-race surges or track position rather than consistent front-running speed. This suggests a lack of setup optimization and a failure to consistently put the No. 9 car in a position to win. The team has shown flashes of speed at tracks like Kansas, Martinsville, and Circuit of the Americas, but these instances are too infrequent to be considered a sustainable path to success. The inconsistency is crippling.
The Impact of the 2023 Injury and Lingering Concerns
While Elliott’s leg injury in 2023 undoubtedly played a role in his struggles, attributing the current issues solely to that setback is an oversimplification. The performance decline was already evident during the 2022 NASCAR playoffs, suggesting deeper-rooted problems. The injury may have exacerbated existing weaknesses, but it didn’t create them. The team’s inability to regain its championship form after Elliott’s recovery is a clear indication that something is fundamentally amiss.
Merchandise Sales Reflect Fan Sentiment
Interestingly, even off the track, a shift is noticeable. Kyle Larson currently leads Chase Elliott in NASCAR merchandise sales in 2025, a potential indicator of waning fan confidence. While not a direct measure of on-track performance, merchandise sales often reflect a driver’s popularity and perceived potential. This subtle shift underscores the growing concern among fans that Elliott’s championship days may be behind him.
Looking Ahead: A Summer of Reckoning
Hendrick Motorsports faces a critical juncture. The summer months offer a window of opportunity for the No. 9 team to turn things around, but time is running out. Simply hoping for improvement isn’t a viable strategy. A proactive approach, potentially involving personnel changes or a significant overhaul of the team’s technical approach, is necessary. Elliott is a proven champion, and his talent deserves a team capable of consistently delivering winning cars. The question now is whether Hendrick Motorsports will prioritize Elliott’s resurgence and make the tough decisions required to restore the No. 9 team to its former glory. The future of a NASCAR star may depend on it.
What changes do you think Hendrick Motorsports needs to make to get Chase Elliott back to championship form? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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