Every sport demands its set of efforts and sacrifices to earn success. And NASCAR is no different. 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott knows it well by now. He has had his struggles on the track yet has done incredibly well to become one of the finest racers in the sport currently. Without a doubt, his father, Bill Elliott, had an important role to play.
Bill is one of the most well-known names in NASCAR history. The 67-year-old has 44 Cup Series wins to his name and is most notably known for winning the championship in 1988. Being Bill’s son does help Chase with the necessary guidance when compared to others. But does that justify the mocking?
The young racer recently was certainly at the receiving end of it.
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Chase Elliott gets mocked for special privileges
To drive for Hendrick Motorsports is a big achievement in itself. While Chase Elliott is blessed to do that, there are no doubts about his capabilities behind the steering. It is no joke to have won 18 Cup Series races at the age of 27. Still, he recently stumbled upon an awkward scenario.
Speaking with Dan Katz on the ‘Pardon My Take’ Podcast, Elliott enjoyed a friendly and open discussion. Interestingly, during the talk, the host tried a bit of banter with him and said, “Yeah and your dad [Bill] was a driver, so like, you kind of got preferential treatment to get this job.”
Given the jolly person he is, Elliott took it sportingly and responded in a funny, sarcastic tone.
He said, “Right yeah, it was all handed over you know.” No wonder the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season champion is a fan favorite.
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All said and done, Bill did contribute in some fashion to help Chase where he is now.
Bill asks Chase to be cautious of the consequences
Having had the same profession, Bill Elliott knew exactly what is needed to stay successful in NASCAR. He ensured that Chase is getting the guidance and, more importantly, made aware of how his actions can affect others in the sport.
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Bill Elliott (1986) & Chase Elliott (2020) join Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993) and Dale Jr. (2000) as the only father/son duos to win the All-Star Race. pic.twitter.com/lh95hiYldp
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 16, 2020
In an interview with Kyle Dalton in 2021, Chase Elliott explained how his father kept him focused on the tracks. Bill used to say, “When you start racing cars, there are other people depending on these race shops and these race teams. That’s their livelihood, they have families at home. There’s a lot of people that are involved. More than anything, just respecting the bigger picture.”
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Such guidance can only come from true experience. Despite coming from the background that Chase does, it in no way assures a championship victory. Had that been the case, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would have had multiple Cup Series titles to his name.