The start of the 2025 NASCAR season is just around the corner, and teams are in full preparation mode. From high-energy promotional shoots to sponsorship events and preseason media days, the sport’s biggest stars are making appearances and fulfilling obligations before returning to the track. While these activities play a vital role in building anticipation, they can also test the patience of even the most dedicated drivers.

NASCAR’s most popular driver Chase Elliott recently offered fans a glimpse behind the curtain with a social media post. However, true to his nature, Elliott took a sly dig at NASCAR’s shenanigans.

Chase Elliott prepares for the 2025 season

Chase Elliott has already cemented his place as one of NASCAR’s brightest stars. The 29-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver has been a fan favorite. 2020 Cup Series champion Elliott carries the weight of immense expectations every time he gets behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet. However, his off-track commitments are also as big as his on track and it sometimes gets the best out of him.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Elliott joined his team for a preseason shoot. Elliott shared some of his pictures from the event while taking a jibe at the process. In an Instagram post, he said, “Can we go racing now?” Accompanied by polished images from the preseason shoot, the comment highlighted his growing impatience for the real action to begin.

The timing of Elliott’s post coincides with the momentum he carries into 2025. After a challenging 2023 season, Elliott rebounded in 2024 with significant improvements. He ended a 42-race winless streak at Texas, posted seven top-10 finishes during the playoffs, and concluded the season with the best average finish in the series at 11.7. These achievements signal a renewed sense of purpose for the Hendrick Motorsports driver.

Despite the preseason grind, Elliott is undoubtedly optimistic about 2025. His consistency throughout 2024 nearly earned him a spot in the playoffs, and he’s determined to capitalize on that momentum. “Honestly, I think from my perspective and where I’m at in my career right now is just trying to get more competitive on a weekly basis,” Elliott told Hendrick Motorsports media.

Notably, Elliott’s 2024 performance came in two parts. On one side, he was consistent with top 10 and top 15 finishes. On the other hand, he struggled to win stage points. His poor postseason run also omitted him from the Championship 4. If the No. 9 team can get Elliott back to contesting for race wins regularly, he might be back in conversation of being a real title contender.

However, there are challenges. Elliott started outside the top 10 in nearly half of the 2024 points races, which affected his ability to score crucial stage points. Additionally, his total lap-led was heavily concentrated in just two playoff races. To reclaim his status as a championship contender, Elliott must address these inconsistencies.

Larry McReynolds Predicts struggle for HMS Driver

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While Chase Elliott looks to make a strong statement in 2025, some NASCAR pundits believe that it won’t be easy for the Hendrick Motorsports camp. Veteran NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds recently shared his HMS predictions for the upcoming season. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, while McReynolds praised the overall strength of Hendrick Motorsports, he hinted at some struggles.

“But I just believe when it’s all said and done, regardless of who goes to the Championship 4, regardless of who wins the championship, the most wins for a second year in a row will come from Hendrick Motorsports,” McReynolds said. His comments reflect to last two seasons’ performance.

In 2023, William Byron notched series high six victories. In the very next season, 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson won six races and continued the trend. However, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott managed to get only one victory. McReynolds hinted that this trend could continue in 2025, with one Hendrick driver potentially going winless.

“I will say this. I bet you there’s one of them that goes winless in 2025,” says McReynolds. While he didn’t name anyone, but Elliott and Bowman stand out as the likeliest candidates based on recent results. Bowman has struggled with consistency, while Elliott’s lone 2024 win broke a prolonged drought that dated back to 2022.