Chase Elliott’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season by his standards was underwhelming. The former champion struggled to find consistent form, missing out on the Championship 4 for the second consecutive year. However, despite falling short of a title shot, Elliott begs to differ.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver holds opposing views to critics, crediting his team for a reasonably good season, an assertion that suggests he sees 2025 as a year of redemption.

Chase Elliott reflects on 2024

Chase Elliott failed to win anything of much consequence in 2024. Despite 11 top 5 finishes, he could only secure one race win. Yet, he insists his team’s performance was encouraging. Speaking to FOX alongside Bubba Wallace, Elliott highlighted the positives from his season, emphasizing that being in front-running is just as crucial as taking the checkered flag.

“I think for us it was nice to get back to Victory Lane for sure, but really beyond that, just the way we ended our season last year I thought was really, really solid,” Elliott said. “I mean, didn’t grab a win in those last few weeks, but we were running plenty good enough to win, which I think is probably more than half the battle, honestly,” he insisted.

Elliott’s statement highlights his belief that his team’s late-season pace was strong enough to generate good finishes. While the lack of wins may be an evident point for critics, the Georgia native remains focused on the bigger picture, which is putting himself in a position to win when it matters most. Notably, Elliott was also coming off a 2023 season ruined by a snowboarding injury, causing him to miss races and end the season winless. Getting back to victory lane meant a lot to the 2020 Champion.

The 2024 campaign saw Chase Elliott lead laps and remain competitive in the final races, something he believes reaffirmed his team’s capabilities. “Just to have ourselves in that position and be able to lead some laps in the closing weeks when everybody was at their best just kind of reassured myself and our whole team that we’re very capable,” Elliott added. “We just got to put all the pieces together at the right time,” he revealed.

Elliott was not too far away from being in the Championship Four despite his singular win all season. In the last Round of 8 race at Martinsville, it was a battle between Elliott and Ryan Blaney for the race. Elliott won stage 1 and led 129 laps but could not hold on to the victory. However, he accounted for only three finishes outside the top 10 in the playoffs, which is proof that he is still a worthy contender. With his positive mindset, Elliott and the No. 9 team are now setting their sights on building momentum into 2025.

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A decline in form, yet a new ray of hope for Elliot

Chase Elliott is determined to turn things around in 2025 after two challenging seasons. Following a winless 2023 and a single victory in 2024, Elliott has openly expressed his commitment to regain his competitive edge. His late-season form in 2024 provides hope that he is on the right track.

One key focus for Elliott and the No. 9 team has been improving execution. With implications that his approach will be centered on maintaining a strong race pace and improving on late-race strategy. Additionally, Elliott has been working closely with his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, to refine their race strategies and operations efficiency, both of which played a role in the past struggles.

Hendrick Motorsports is also making significant efforts to add to Elliott’s chances. The team has been refining their intermediate track strategy, an area where Elliott has historically been strong, and improving their short-track performance, which has been a weak point. Rick Hendrick in the past has acknowledged the team’s commitment to supporting Elliott’s resurgence, as he once famously stated “won’t leave any stone unturned” in their efforts to make the No. 9 a title contender again.

With improved team strategies, better execution, and enhanced car performance, Elliott appears poised for a bounce-back season in 2025. Yet, The question remains – can he translate these efforts into victories and a championship run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.