via Getty
LONG POND, PA – JUNE 01: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, talk in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
via Getty
LONG POND, PA – JUNE 01: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, talk in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Chase Elliott is nothing short of a road course expert in NASCAR. Six of his 13 wins came on road courses, starting with Watkins Glen International in 2018, ahead of Martin Truex Jr and Kyle Busch. During that race, Elliott drove right to the limit, to the point where he ran out of fuel.
Luckily, teammate Jimmie Johnson was on hand to giving him a friendly push back to Victory Lane. Johnson himself had a race to forget after finishing 30th in the race. Nevertheless, he was happy for his young teammate grabbing his maiden win. This would be the first of two consecutive Cup Series wins at Watkins Glen.
Three years ago today, @ChaseElliott earned his first win in the @NASCAR Cup Series at @WGI.
And when he ran out of gas, he got a push to victory lane from his buddy @JimmieJohnson. pic.twitter.com/fMLRFobyqB
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 5, 2021
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Now in 2021, Chase Elliott is hoping to grab a hat-trick of Watkins Glen wins.
Chase Elliott is looking forward to the race
“I’m just excited to be going back. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Elliott said ahead of this weekend’s race.
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“Every time you go to the track, look, it’s always going to be tough. As I’ve said many times before, past success doesn’t equal future success and I don’t think that’s any different this weekend. I anticipate everybody else will be better than they were last time we were up there. And we just try to make sure we match it ourselves to have another shot.”
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 7, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In 2021, Elliott has already qualified for the playoffs; however, he does have a bit of a task ahead of him from 11th on the grid.
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Nevertheless, Chase Elliott will take it as a challenge and will try to prove his mettle. Admittedly, he will have to face off against his teammates, the Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing drivers. Without a doubt, the Georgia native will want to retain his road course crown.
READ MORE: “Doesn’t Get Enough Credit” – Chad Knaus on Chase Elliott and His Road Course Prowess
