“Problems Don’t Disappear”- Chase Elliott Offers Bitter Reality Check to Dedicated Fans Expecting Redemption Year

Chase Elliott is the key to one of the biggest questions going into 2024. Being one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, his struggles in the past year are no secret to the fans. As the 2023 regular season concluded at Daytona, his fanbase wondered if the No.9 Chevrolet driver could recover from this slump in 2024. Responding to the well-intended but misinformed queries, Chase Elliott claimed to take a more practical approach to the situation.

Speaking in a post-qualifying interview at the Daytona International Speedway, the 28-year-old spoke about the gradual process to regain his form. Having recorded the fifth-fastest lap time in the qualifying session, there have been positive signs in the car’s performance. Chase Elliott will also start the Duel Race 1 in P3, giving him a chance to fight for a place in the upper positions of the main event.

Chase Elliott refrains from sugarcoating his status

While resilience can be a driver’s ultimate weapon, realizing mistakes and addressing them is a huge aspect of growth for a driver. Elliott understood that very well in 2023. Having missed seven races due to a tibia injury, he lacked the winning edge to make his way into the playoffs. But now, he is well aware of the opportunities 2024 brings and the consequences of not capitalizing on them.

“There is a sense of a new opportunity and I’m appreciative of that,” claimed a grateful Chase Elliott. “There’s also a realistic understanding of your problems don’t disappear because the calendar changed from 3 to 4. We know that we need to be better and I know that I need to be better. We intend on continuing to build on what we worked on at the end of last year and just keep our heads down and keep pushing.”

With the addition of his cousin, Trey Poole, to the No.9 team, Chase Elliott aims to perform better on different tracks. While road courses remain his strongest suit, Poole can add his expertise as a former interim spotter.

Chase Elliott is relying on his crew to find that precision it showed in his championship-winning season. Having struggled to coordinate the strategy and its execution in 2023, finding the mojo back in the garage will be crucial. The Hendrick Motorsports star emphasized the same in his comments during the Daytona 500 media day.

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Chase Elliott is aware of an implosion hurting his chances

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In the final three races of the season, the Chase Elliott fanbase was sure of his qualification to the playoffs. Two road course races in the final three meant Elliott entered them as a contender for the final playoff spot. While he missed the victory lane with a P2 finish at Indianapolis, Watkins Glen was a horror show for the No.9 driver. A miscommunication in one of the pit stops meant Elliott ran out of fuel with 36 laps to go.

Suggesting that Alan Gustafson and the team have significantly upgraded from the past season, Chase Elliott stated, “I feel like our team is in a good place. When you have a year like last year, it is really easy for a team to blow up from the inside. Really easy. You don’t know how easy.”

Elliott isn’t the only one to host the hunger for success either. Having experienced a slump along with him, the No.9 crew knows that it has a big role in the 6x NMPA Award winner’s winless run.

“When I look at where our team is at mentally, our drive and our will, and our willingness to fight and not quit, I think it’s at an all-time high, to be honest with you,“ revealed Chase Elliott. “My relationship with Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) is as good as it’s ever been. I’m just super proud of those things regardless of how the season goes, because I work with a group of guys who don’t want to give up on me. I don’t want to give up on them.“

The season will kick off with a tough test in the straights of Daytona. Elliott has started on the Daytona 500 pole twice in his career and knows what it feels to lead the Great American Race. However, he has yet to bag a win at the event. While he hopes for that to change on Sunday, he simultaneously is aware that winning a race needs more momentum.

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