For Chase Elliott, the Daytona 500 has been a race of heartbreak, frustration, and unfinished business. Despite being a NASCAR Cup Series Champion and one of the sport’s biggest stars, the Great American Race remains an elusive prize.
From his gut-wrenching runner-up finish in 2021 to crashes, near-misses, and costly mistakes, Elliott has been agonizingly close but never victorious at Daytona. Now, in 2025, he’s entering the season on a high note, determined to rewrite history and capture the one trophy that has slipped through his fingers time and time again.
Daytona 500: More Than Just Another Race for Elliott
While many drivers view the Daytona 500 as the ultimate challenge, for Chase Elliott, it’s personal. The race has a special place in NASCAR history, with massive crowds of 150,000+ fans, a record-breaking purse, and an atmosphere unlike anything else on the schedule.
Speaking about the magnitude of the Daytona 500, Elliott opened up on Dirty Mo Media, explaining how the event stands apart from the rest of the season.
“It has always felt like its own event,” Elliott said. “I’ve always tried to enjoy the 500. It’s such a special moment. I know it’s part of the season and that it counts, but it has always felt like its own event.”
But for all the glory that comes with winning Daytona, Elliott has instead been met with devastating setbacks.
A History of Heartbreak: Elliott’s Struggles at Daytona
Elliott’s Daytona 500 frustration began as early as his rookie season in 2016, when he made history as the youngest pole sitter ever—only to crash out on Lap 18, finishing 37th.
Then came 2021—the closest he’s ever been to Daytona glory. After surviving multiple crashes, Elliott was in prime position for his first-ever win at the track. But in the final moments, Michael McDowell pulled off a shocking move, leaving Elliott one spot short of victory.
Even in 2024, the chaos of Daytona came back to haunt him. During Stage 1, a multi-car wreck triggered by Brad Keselowski and John Hunter Nemechek took out several contenders. Elliott navigated the carnage and won the stage, but his race-winning hopes faded later on.
For Elliott, the pressure isn’t just about his own legacy—it’s about family history. His father, “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville”, won Daytona twice, adding another layer of expectation for Chase to finally follow in his footsteps.
The Mindset Shift: Learning from the Past, Focusing on 2025
Despite years of frustration, Elliott remains determined, resilient, and optimistic about his chances in 2025.
“I try to take all that in, but I think for me, from a competition standpoint, just trying to put yourself in a good position—I think that’s really all you can do,” Elliott explained.
“We’ve had a couple of good opportunities to win that race and have come up a little short, you know? So I hope at some point down the road, we can have one go completely our way.”
Heading into this year’s Daytona Duels, Elliott will start from 8th place, ready to use his experience to finally change his fortunes.
“There’s a lot of experiences in all of that I think can help shape you and mold you to be better, and the only thing you can control is today moving forward,” he said during Media Day.
Will 2025 Finally Be Elliott’s Year?
With momentum on his side, a new mindset, and a deep hunger to finally win NASCAR’s biggest race, Chase Elliott is more determined than ever to capture the Daytona 500 crown.
Will this be the year he finally turns heartbreak into victory? The stage is set, the pressure is on, and Elliott is ready to fight for the biggest win of his career.