Happy memories are always cherishable! Going down memory lane, NASCAR recently recalled Chase Elliott’s 2020 Cup Series Championship win at Phoenix Raceway with a Tweet and celebrated the nail-biting performance executed by the Hendrick Motorsports driver on the tracks. But not everybody was happy about it back then and it seems that this still remains a hot topic among fans, as they sparked a debate about his accomplishments compared to other drivers, particularly the veteran driver – Kevin Harvick.
NASCAR is undoubtedly a competitive sport, and that’s the beauty of it! And as far as winning goes, most drivers display their best efforts and strategies throughout the season to achieve their goals in the end. So why was Chase Elliott reprimanded so much for this championship?
Chase Elliott’s 2020 Championship journey
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Chase Elliott had an impressive 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, to say the least. He kicked off the year with a strong performance, and despite facing challenges like flat tires in the middle of a race and a few mishaps, the HMR driver managed to turn things around by winning at crucial tracks, such as the All-Star Race and even secured a win at Martinsville. As the season climaxed, he kept up this consistency on the tracks. He followed his team’s advice, ultimately scoring the championship title by surpassing fierce competitors like Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin in the race’s final laps, so it seemed like his hard work paid off.
2020 was @chaseelliott‘s year to shine! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/yStonSRpHd
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 1, 2024
But no matter how deserving his success seemed, a few fans argued that Kevin Harvick, who drove for the Stewart-Haas Racing team at the time, was a more deserving candidate for the championship instead. It was noted that Harvick had a stellar season as well, as he won nine races and had consistently performed at a high level compared to the others on the tracks. They truly believed that his overall performance throughout the year should have earned him the title in the end, and to some, it seemed a little unfair that Elliott got the upper hand regardless of this.
Winning the Cup Series Championship was a monumental moment not just for Chase Elliott but for the entire Elliott family and his fans too. It marked his first Cup Series title, a significant milestone in any NASCAR driver’s career, and it also placed him in an elite group of champions alongside his father, Bill Elliott.
But unfortunately, this wasn’t good enough for some fans who were thrown off by Kevin Harvick’s loss and still bring it up to this day! While most HMR fans defended Elliott’s performance and claimed that there was no luck involved in his win, other fans jumped at the chance to explain why many of the other drivers deserved the title just as much. It was a heated debate and while the race concluded four years ago, there’s no saying if this argument will ever find its end.
Fans debate under NASCAR’s post for the 2020 Championship title
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Many fans noted that Chase had won seven races that year, saying that he was on the verge of greatness, and his win was completely justified. “People don’t realize that Chase could’ve won 7 or so races that year,” and the statistics can’t be wrong when the evidence is right in front of you!
Another common theme among fans was a longing for the days when drivers could start from the back of the pack and work their way to the front. As one user commented, “Sad thing is that nobody is starting from the back and passing there way to the front in the current car. Miss the days drivers could pass.” They expressed that they miss the thrill of overtaking and the skill it took to navigate through the field, feeling that the current cars make it too difficult for drivers to pass.
One fan pointed out that if Brad Keselowski‘s pit crew had done their job during a crucial moment in the race, he might have caught up to Chase. They felt that Brad was racing incredibly well and could have taken the lead if not for a pit stop mishap. “If brads pit crew does their job on the last stop. The 2 catches that 9. That long run to the end, brad was absolutely a rocketship”
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Some fans also believed that Elliott was handed the championship simply because he’s the “popular golden boy,” and that it was always supposed to be Harvick’s title to take, taking a more aggressive approach to the matter. They said, “He should be in jail for possession of armed robbery, after robbing Kevin Harvick blind.”
The passionate debates surrounding Chase Elliott’s 2020 championship win reflect the deeper connection fans have with NASCAR and their favorite drivers. So whether you’re an Elliott fan or believe that Harvick deserved the title, it’s clear that these discussions are important to the sport’s vibrant community and are what keep the competitive nature alive!