Hendrick Motorsports had a standout performance last year at the Watkins Glen. William Byron outperformed his rivals to secure the top spot. Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman, too, performed reasonably well. But the celebrations came with a serious dent. Chase Elliott, one of the most promising Cup Series talents, had a disappointing finish at the road course. Several factors contributed to the unfortunate 32nd-place finish for the No. 9. Most importantly, the Hendrick Motorsports star racer never felt comfortable with the car he was driving at Watkins Glen last year.

A lot has changed for the 28-year-old since then. He has emerged out of the shadows of the 2023 season. Elliott has consistently ranked within the top 20 during the regular season. The No. 9 has secured an average finish of 11.62, just a few decimal points behind his career best. But as the season cycle returns to Watkins Glen, only time will tell whether he will come out of the humiliation of the 2023 season. Promising as his current season may turn out to be, a slip-up may cost the entire rhythm that Elliott has built for himself.

Reflecting on last year’s Watkins Glen horrors, Chase Elliott had an interesting take for the fans on what happened at the racetrack and who is to blame for the unfortunate performance!

Chase Elliott takes it on himself!

The dynamics of the racetrack were not up to the mark for the HMS racer last year. Chase Elliott’s handling of the car, his approach towards the race, and his usual sharpness, nothing was adding up to his former self. An unusual performance bore an unusual result. After the race, the 28-year-old visibly expressed frustration at not performing as expected. Reflecting on his disappointing performance, Elliott said this after the race, “It was a tough race for us. We struggled with the tire compound and handling, but we’ll take the lessons learned and come back stronger next time.”

It took some time for Chase Elliott to analyze properly what exactly went wrong for the No. 9 last year. As the HMS ace racer prepares himself for the 2.45-mile-long road course racetrack, questions about his previous run at the Glen popped up. Recalling the potential reason behind the disappointing run and identifying the real culprit, Elliott said, “Oh yeah, not good. I think it’s easy to point the blame for having a bad day. We were not anything spectacular before the fuel issue and I take responsibility for that.” Through these words, apprehensions about his previous run are finally laid to rest.

The HMS ace racer additionally talked about his Watkins Glen intentions this year and the potential impact the new tire compound could have on the race. Discussing these points with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, the No .9 said, “I think what could potentially change that is whether or not the tire falls off? You know the tire actually has some fall off to it then potentially you could not have to qualify on the front road and have a shot to win because historically, that’s kinda have been the name of the game here. So I am totally good with either way our intention is to go and have a good qualifying effort today and put ourselves in a good position, regardless. 

The new tire compound introduced by Goodyear can change the game at Watkins Glen this year. The new compound is designed to provide better grip and durability. Thus, addressing the two biggest reasons behind Elliott’s unfortunate performance at the Glen last year. However, the 3-second wear-off rate for the new tires can be a challenge for the racers. Speculations indicate that the lap times for the racers are expected to increase by about three seconds as the race progresses. This forces the racers to manage the pit stops more efficiently and make strategic changes around the tire selection for the road course racetrack.

While Chase Elliott looks to dominate road courses once again, there are other favorites for the race at Watkins Glen as well. These racers have displayed exemplary skills at road courses in the past and have the rhythm and the form to seal a spot for themselves in the Round of 12 of the playoffs.

Several favorites for the ultimate glory at Watkins Glen

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Chase Elliott has long been the undisputed king of road courses, and when No. 9 hits the track, especially at places like Watkins Glen, it’s like watching a master at work. With seven road course victories under his belt, Elliott has carved out a legacy of dominance, particularly during his back-to-back triumphs in 2018 and 2019 at The Glen. But lately, something’s been off. That same Chase Elliott—who once seemed unbeatable—has found himself in a rut. The Texas Motor Speedway win in April might’ve broken his 42-race winless streak, but for a driver of his caliber, even that victory feels like a distant memory.

It’s hard to ignore the chatter. Fans and critics alike are questioning if Elliott still has that spark, that unbeatable edge he once had on road courses. Watkins Glen, once his playground, now looms large as a proving ground. Can he reclaim his throne, or has the tide turned for good?

Meanwhile, the field has never been more stacked with competitors looking to take advantage of Elliott’s dip in form. William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Alex Bowman have all stepped up this season, racking up road course wins and showing that Hendrick Motorsports still owns these tracks—just maybe not in the way it used to with Elliott at the helm. Add in the hungry pack of challengers like Daniel Suárez, Austin Cindric, and Tyler Reddick, who have been sharpening their skills with the new tire compound, and the pressure on Elliott is palpable.

So, as we head into the Go Bowling at The Glen, the question isn’t just if Chase Elliott can win—it’s whether the king can fend off the new wave of contenders nipping at his heels. Can No. 9 rise to the occasion once more, or will someone else steal the spotlight? Let us know who you’re rooting for and what you think of Elliott’s chances!