Despite an Unfortunate 2023 Season, Chase Elliott Reveals the One Personality Trait That Makes Him So Special

2023 might have caught the 2020 Cup Series champion off guard with his crash out of the tournament without even making it to the playoffs, but the Hendrick Motorsports sensation is still adored by many. His recent award is a perfect example to prove this very point. Even after a dismal season, Elliott was voted as Cup Series’ Most Popular Driver for the sixth time straight, beating champion Ryan Blaney and veteran Kevin Harvick in the process.

But what truly sets the #9 driver apart from the rest of the competition? Is it just the overzealous fans glorifying their favorite driver, or does the driver have what it takes to be at the top? Well, Chase Elliott himself has the answer. Speaking on “The Pure Athlete” podcast, the HMS ace reflected on his worth, mentioning what truly sets him apart from the field.

A cut above the rest: What makes Chase Elliott special?

Often lauded as the best in the field, Chase Elliott is certainly a force to be reckoned with on the track. His in-depth know-how of the sport coupled with his superior race craft truly makes him a formidable figure for his opponents, but even the best can slip. 2023 was a lesson for the 2020 Cup Series champion, a revision of life lessons, and a short intermission to evaluate his game plan and reset his psyche.

While an untimely injury left the ace driver sidelined for six races, the remaining were simply a test of his character as Elliott failed to rack up wins and advance into the playoff rounds. But as we head to 2024, the HMS driver seems to have it all covered. Learning from his mistakes, Elliott addressed the tough question, “What is the secret to your success?” 

He said, “Man, that’s such a tough question, grading yourself on things that you think you do well but you know I’m pretty detail-oriented when it comes to just the craft of driving you know much like the guy would be detail-oriented at his golf swing or baseball swing or how he throws the football, driving is really no different you know there’s technique to different race tracks, there’s technique and ways that you can make your cars do different things when it’s not doing what you want you know.” 

The driver further added to his take, revealing the one trait that truly makes him stand out, saying, “I would say I’m probably more detail-oriented than I ever thought I would be to you know I wasn’t really that way in school but for some reason I do pay a lot of attention to a lot of small things.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott once again wins the Most Popular award despite a disappointing season 

Elliott reveals the one aspect that makes him admire the sport

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For some, it is the sheer thrill and excitement that come with the sport; for others, it is the fame and glamor, but for Elliott, it is the craft that gets him going. Shortly after he mentioned his love for details, the 28-year-old, who got his first title at the age of 24 spoke more about his mind.

Jul 22, 2023; Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (right) talks with a crew member during practice and qualifying for the HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY SportsMentioning how the sport has evolved over the years with drivers getting all the required data to up their game, Elliott shared his admiration. He said, “I admire the craft of just how good the guys are at that level and its so interesting how many ways we can all get to the same place or how many different ways a guy can driver a car and the way he’s looking to feel and all the itty-bitty little things, thousand different map or roads that kind of lead to the same place if you know how to get there. 

READ MORE: Ross Chastain Claims He “Heard the Noise” As Fans Propelled Him Closer to Chase Elliott