Seven times in a row, Chase Elliott has taken home the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver award, a feat that cements his popularity among NASCAR fans and ties him with Bobby Allison for the fourth-most wins of all time. However, his stellar reputation off the track hasn’t been mirrored on it. Let’s examine the rocky road Elliott and his team, Hendrick Motorsports, have been navigating of late.
Chase Elliott, once heralded as Hendrick Motorsports’ golden boy, has seen his star wane in recent years. His 2020 championship victory positioned him as the future of the team and a force to be reckoned with in NASCAR. However, five years on, Elliott’s performance has been anything but champion-worthy.
In 2022, despite securing the regular season championship and making the championship 4, Elliott’s season ended on a low note with a disappointing 28th place finish after starting 5th. The following year brought more misfortune, with a snowboarding injury and a suspension for a run-in with Denny Hamlin keeping him off the track and out of the playoffs. Although 2024 saw some improvement, he was still a far cry from the dominant driver of yesteryears, managing just a single win all season and finishing seventh in the final standings. The current season, 2025, has been equally underwhelming with Elliott yet to claim a race victory and only one top-5 finish to his credit.
Meanwhile, his Hendrick Motorsports teammates have been making waves. Kyle Larson and William Byron have emerged as the team’s leading drivers. Larson, the 2021 Cup champion, has continued his winning streak, claiming 6 victories in 2024 and securing his place in the 2025 playoffs with a win at Homestead, a track where he has traditionally excelled.
William Byron, on the other hand, has transformed into a formidable competitor in his own right. After securing six victories in 2023 and making his first Championship 4, Byron went on to add three more race wins in 2024 and another Championship 4 appearance to his credentials. He kicked off the 2025 season with a bang, repeating his Daytona 500 victory and consistently delivering top-10 performances, which has propelled him to the top of the Cup Series standings with 244 points.
Alex Bowman, who was once viewed as the ‘fourth Hendrick car’, has also shown significant improvement, delivering consistently high performances that rival those of his teammates. In fact, it’s Elliott who now finds himself in the unfamiliar position of being the fourth-best driver on his own team, ranking sixth in the Cup Series standings at 181 points, while Byron, Larson, and Bowman hold the top three spots with over 200 points each.
This slump in Elliott’s performance raises questions about his future with Hendrick Motorsports. Despite his popularity, the team, like all NASCAR teams, values results over fan votes. Elliott’s contract with HMS is valid until 2027, but if his performance doesn’t improve, tough decisions might be imminent. Elliott’s fans remain loyal, but even they will eventually demand more than just popularity awards.
Elliott, however, still has a shot at redemption. He remains one of NASCAR’s most skilled drivers, and a winning streak could quickly propel him back into the championship fray. But if he continues to trail his teammates, Hendrick Motorsports may need to reassess its focus, potentially leaving Elliott as the odd man out.
So, is Elliott’s recent struggle a temporary setback, or does it indicate a more serious issue? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
