
via Getty
HAMPTON, GA – FEBRUARY 22: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

via Getty
HAMPTON, GA – FEBRUARY 22: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott is set to race at his home track in Atlanta, for the first time since winning the title. Memories of the huge title celebrations in Dawsonville, Georgia, might still be very fresh in Elliott’s mind.
Fans at the Atlanta Motor Speedway will certainly cheer for their hometown hero this Sunday as well. However, ‘home advantage’ is not a big factor in NASCAR, like it is in other sports, that can turn the tide in favor of a particular driver.
Elliott acknowledges the same, giving the example of MLB side Atlanta Braves. While the fans will cheer for him, he knows that some other top drivers will also have a lot of support from their fans on Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Chase Elliott wishes he had home advantage like the ‘Braves’
“It’s definitely not like the Braves having home-field advantage for their playoff run,” Elliott said during a recent media chat.
“(It’s) very different. I wish Atlanta was like that for me, but there’s a lot of people there who want to see other drivers do well too,” he added.

USA Today via Reuters
Feb 21, 2021; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliot (9) during the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
While home advantage might not be a big factor, Eliott has done fairly well at his home track. In 5 Cup races at Atlanta, he has 4 finishes inside the Top-10. That is the best record at Atlanta among active drivers.
However, Elliott still believes his record could have been even better at Atlanta. He feels like he has faced both extremes there already.
“We’ve gone there and had some really good runs, a couple days where I thought we were capable of winning. And then, we’ve been there and been way out to lunch,” Elliott expressed.
It's #FunFactFriday! Did you know that @chaseelliott used to race bandolero and legend cars @amsupdates growing up? 😎
This weekend, he'll take on the Georgia track again — in a #NASCAR Cup Series Chevy, of course! pic.twitter.com/WaHr2E6hbe
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 19, 2021
Trending
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The reigning champ aims for a good race at his home track
Going into this Sunday’s race, Eliott wants to ‘hit’ rather than ‘miss’ at his home track, in front of his home crowd.
“I’m not exactly sure what that is all the time. Obviously, car configurations and rules, and different packages play a role in it. Hopefully, this week, we can be more on the ‘hit’ side and execute a good race,” the Hendrick Motorsports superstar said further.

USA Today via Reuters
Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) makes a pit stop during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Elliott does need that big hit soon, after missing out on wins despite some close finishes in the 5 races so far. The defending champion is in 6th place on points, but he will aim to book his playoff spot with a win, sooner rather than later.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT