What a way to kick off the season! NASCAR’s highly anticipated return to Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time since 1971 was already shaping up to be a historic event, but Chase Elliott made sure it was one for the record books.
The #9 team came out swinging, with Elliott topping the charts in practice, qualifying, and his heat race—a pole-position streak that set the tone for what was to come. Then, in a dominant performance, Elliott led 171 of the 200 laps, clinching his first-ever Clash victory and delivering a statement win to start the 2025 NASCAR season.
Elliott Crushes The Competition in ‘The Madhouse’
The Bowman Gray Stadium race was already a spectacle, with NASCAR even releasing a full documentary to build hype. But no one kept that energy alive better than Chase Elliott.
- Fastest in every session leading up to the race.
- Started on pole and controlled the event from the drop of the green flag.
- Held off fierce challenges from Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin to secure the win.
Blaney finished second, while Hamlin managed third, but neither could match Elliott’s sheer dominance on the short track.
For the #9 team and Hendrick Motorsports, this victory was monumental. Not only was it Elliott’s first-ever Clash win, but it also perfectly aligned with HMS’s 2025 season motto: “Thrive in 25.”
Hendrick Motorsports’ ‘Thrive in 25’ Kicks Off With a Bang
HMS President Jeff Andrews couldn’t hide his excitement about the team’s blazing start to the season. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Andrews praised Elliott’s performance and the work done by the entire organization.
“Yeah, a really good start. You know, start off by saying ‘Thrive in 25’—that’s what we started off our kickoff luncheon with earlier this week. And Mr. Hendrick came up with that slogan for us this year. So that’s a great way to start thriving in 25 with the win here and what an event.”
The annual HMS kickoff luncheon is a tradition where team members gather before the season opener, and this year’s “Thrive in 25” mantra—coined by Rick Hendrick himself—already seems to be paying dividends.
Even Jeff Gordon shared behind-the-scenes photos from the event, captioning them:
“The annual kickoff lunch was a success! Time to thrive in ‘25.”
And with celebrations still raging at HMS headquarters, Andrews made sure to highlight Elliott’s masterful drive at Bowman Gray.
“Hats off to NASCAR and everything that went into putting this event on. And congratulations obviously to Alan, Chase, and the entire NAPA team—just a great car for two days. Just very, very good to see them be able to finish that off.”
“Super proud of Chase, the way he drove that race and managed his tires there in that last segment. Just a perfect, classic short-track race. Chase Elliott really proud of him.”
All Eyes on Daytona—Can Elliott Keep the Momentum Going?
With Bowman Gray in the rearview mirror, the #9 team is now laser-focused on the Daytona 500. If Elliott can carry this momentum into NASCAR’s biggest race, it could be epic for four major reasons:
1️⃣ A win would cement HMS’s “Thrive in 25” campaign as a major success right out of the gate.
2️⃣ It would give Elliott a historic Clash-Daytona 500 sweep.
3️⃣ It would set him up as an early-season championship favorite.
4️⃣ It would mark a strong comeback after a winless 2024 season.
With momentum on his side, Chase Elliott has already made a massive statement—and if he wins Daytona, it could be the start of something legendary.
One thing’s for sure: The #9 team is thriving.
