Winning is often regarded as a statistic that indicates success and an upward trajectory of a driver and his race team. Multiple wins make you a championship favorite; take Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin for that matter. However, there are a few drivers who often operate under the radar. And despite not having wins under their belt, they manage to make steady progress. Chase Elliott from Hendrick Motorsports serves as a perfect example of this style of racing.

If we are to look back at Elliott’s winning record, his Texas win in spring was the only one he has in his last 68 starts. We’d have to go back to the 2022 Talladega fall race to trace his latest win apart from his 2024 win. Now, going into a must-win scenario in Martinsville, the #9 team would potentially have to go for back-to-back wins to claim the championship. It is looking like an impossible task given that Elliott isn’t in a favorable position. But, going by Alan Gustafson’s words, the team might pull off the biggest comeback in 2024.

Do not count out Chase Elliott out of the title race just yet

Out of the three Hendrick Motorsports drivers, Elliott is one who’s faced with a mammoth task to claim the two remaining spots for the championship race. An early win at Texas secured his route to the playoffs, but now he’s found himself in a must-win scenario going into the Martinsville race this weekend.

43 points away from the cutline, a win looks like his only avenue that could keep his title hopes alive. But, for a driver who has won only once in his last 68 starts, banking on victory is indeed a long shot. Then again, you are talking about the 2020 NASCAR champion, who’s found his way through difficult times and delivered the results.

While his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, would’ve liked to have more wins to his driver’s name, he certainly feels optimistic about their chances. “I don’t think that comes into like I don’t sit back and say we’re kind of scr–ed we haven’t won once in the last 68 races. So I actually believe a little; I feel the opposite that as the statistics add up to be kind of so far out of balance. The opposite trend is going to happen.”

It’s not that the #9 Chevrolet hasn’t been up to speed to contest for wins. In fact, Elliott has bagged nine top 5 finishes so far in 2024. If we are to take out his DNF at Las Vegas, he’s been out there contending for the win with back-to-back top 5 runs. But for some reason or another, he’s failed to cross the final hurdle.

Many race drivers would be feeling the nerves ahead of such crucial races, but Chase Elliott is just the exact opposite. And when asked about his chances for the Martinsville race, he highlighted his exploits from his championship-winning season.

Elliott needs to repeat his past heroics

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Back in 2020, the HMS star was in dire need of a win to make it past the Round of 8 and compete for the championship. Next in line was the Martinsville race, and after missing his markers in Texas, he scripted a massive comeback run. Not only did he win the race on the half-mile short track, but he also went on to win the championship in Phoenix.

The odds are pretty much stacked against him, and the competition is fierce. But despite the massive challenge, Elliott backs himself to repeat his past heroics. “I try hard not to overthink this situation or whatever, and we’ve been in this spot before, so it’s not like this is the first time I’ve been through this or had to experience this. So having done that before and been in this spot, I think I don’t know it gives you a little bit of sense of peace.” He said this before the Homestead race.

While his track record in the fall race at the racetrack is a bit suspect, 2024 has been a huge turnaround year for him. Especially on the short ovals, he finished P3 during the spring race at Martinsville. And now that he has his backs against the wall, all he can do is commit himself to the task and go on hunt for a win.