As Chase Elliott Looks for His First Win This Season, 21 Years Ago Today, His Father Was in the Victory Lane

August at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway promises an exciting time for NASCAR enthusiasts as the Brickyard 400 makes its return. This iconic race has been a coveted title for drivers since its inception in 1994, second only to the Daytona 500. It’s been a staple event for over three decades now, drawing racing fans from all corners. A notable name associated with Brickyard’s success is Bill Elliot, a former NASCAR driver, who clinched his final triumph here in the 2002 Brickyard 400. 

Now, the spotlight turns to his son, Chase Elliott, a star at Hendrick Motorsports and a five-time winner of the Most Popular Driver Award. He carries on the Elliott legacy, with his father having won the same award a staggering 11 times. As the NASCAR flock gathers in Indianapolis, Chase Elliott’s pursuit of victory after a challenging 2023 season is sure to be one of the season’s highlights as the playoffs loom ahead.

Unlocking victory at Brickyard: Following Bill Elliott’s roadmap to triumph

Bill Elliott is one of the notable drivers who had a significant presence at Indianapolis, and his victory in the 2002 Brickyard 400 remains one of the highlights of his storied career. Bill Elliott’s victory in the 2002 Big Machine Vodka 400 holds a special place in his heart.

Dominating the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he led an impressive 93 laps, including the final 12, to secure the win. At 46 years old and driving the No. 9 Dodge owned by Ray Evernham, it was a triumphant moment in the twilight of his career.

As a two-time Daytona 500 champion and the 1988 Cup Series champion, Elliott considered his Brickyard victory one of the most cherished moments of his life, especially since it came in the twilight of his career. In a 2020 interview published in the racetrack’s official website, Bill recalled, 

“I don’t remember the race lap by lap, but I do recall all the high spots. We had a really good car. My crew chief, Mike Ford, and his guys really put a good deal together there for me.”

With a special mention of rival Tony Stewart, 2002 NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Awardee added, “When I got to him at the end of the race, he just let me go, he let me pass him, and then I was able to run Rusty down and pass him and go on. I’ll always respect Tony for that because he could have done a lot of things right there. But I was coming hard and, I mean, we didn’t waste no time. I was able to get on and get to Rusty and do what we needed to do.” 

Throughout his career, Elliott maintained a connection with Indianapolis, making it a preferred destination despite transitioning to a part-time racing schedule in 2004. From the first lap to the last, racing at Indianapolis felt instinctive and natural to him, leaving an indelible mark on his illustrious career.

Read More: “You Have to Just Ride It” – Chase Elliott Accepts His Fate Amid Harsh Playoff Battle

Fast forward 21 years, his successor Chase Elliott is in dire need of redemption as his 2023 season takes a nosedive. His 2023 season has been plagued with misfortune and setbacks, jeopardizing his chances of making it to the playoffs. But the answer is always in the last place one looks. 

Chase Elliott should lend an ear to his father to end his winless 2023 season

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Chase Elliott commemorating his father’s legacy to end his dry spell of winless streak at Indy would be a NACAR moment. He might be able to do just that. After all, the solution isn’t a far-fetched one. Bill laid the know-how to win at Indy years ago, and said,

“The thing about Indy is you’ve got to qualify well. You’ve got to do everything well, all day. Everything has to come together to win at Indy. In 2002, we pretty much stayed toward the front of the field most all day and were able to lead a lot and do what we need to do.”

With time running out, Elliott’s playoff prospects hang by a thread, hoping for a triumphant performance at the Brickyard to revive his season. The key to Chase Elliott’s 2023 race win at Indianapolis might lie in his father Bill Elliot’s words: “No ifs, ands, or buts about it.“

Watch This Story: Chase Elliott’s Fails To Follow In His Father’s Footsteps