A rare image from 2002 shows a six-year-old Chase Elliott celebrating with his father, Bill Elliott, after Bill’s dramatic victory at Pocono Raceway. This moment occurred following a 175-lap NASCAR Winston Cup race that was cut short due to rain at the Pennsylvania track known as the Tricky Triangle.
Bill Elliott drove the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports, a team he raced for after selling his own operation to Ray Evernham. Starting from the pole position, Bill battled Sterling Marlin for the lead and ultimately secured his first victory of the season out of two wins that year.
Chase, along with his mother Cindy, joined Bill in celebrating the win at victory lane with team owner Ray Evernham and the rest of the #9 crew. This nostalgic father-son moment was highlighted by NASCAR Classics on X as anticipation builds for NASCAR’s return to Pocono Raceway on Sunday.
The Legacy of Bill Elliott’s Racing Career and Final Victory
The following year, Bill Elliott earned the last win of his career at Rockingham Speedway before stepping away from full-time racing. He finished his career with a 1988 Winston Cup championship, 44 wins, and later earned induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015, cementing his legacy in the sport.
Chase Elliott’s Current Season and Upcoming Race at Pocono
This weekend, Chase Elliott will compete in the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway, following an impressive third-place finish at the inaugural race in Mexico City. The 160-lap event in Pennsylvania is set to begin on June 22 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Driving the #9 car for Hendrick Motorsports, Chase is still seeking his first victory of the season. However, his consistent performances place him fourth in the points standings, comfortably positioned for a playoff berth. So far, he has recorded four finishes in the top five and eight top tens, without any Did Not Finish (DNF) results.
Chase Elliott Reflects on Winning Most Popular Driver Award and Family Influence
Last year, Chase secured his seventh Most Popular Driver award, a distinction he credits to the foundational support from his family, including his father Bill and grandfather George Elliott, who operated a NASCAR team in the 1970s. Reflecting on the award, Chase emphasized the importance of honoring his family’s legacy.
“If you do have the honor to receive the award, I think it’s just representing that the right way, and by right way I mean by the way I think they would wanted to be represented. Really for me, that’s all I care about because they laid the foundation for me to be here and to have some of the opportunities that I’ve had throughout my career,” the 2020 Cup Series champion said in an interview at the NASCAR Awards Banquet in Charlotte.
Chase also expressed deep appreciation for the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
“Certainly grateful for the fans across the board, they’ve been great to me throughout my career. I’ve had the fortunate experience of seeing all that, living all that first hand, it means a lot to me, I’ll never take it for granted,” he added.
Family Ties and Racing Achievements in the Most Popular Driver Award History
Bill Elliott holds the record for the most Most Popular Driver awards with 16, followed closely by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 15. NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Bobby Allison have nine and seven awards respectively, placing Chase Elliott among the top contenders with seven. Chase began his streak of awards after Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement from NASCAR in 2017, continuing his family’s prominent presence in the sport.