Chase Elliott, sitting fifth in the points standings with nine top-10 finishes and five top-fives this 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, is still searching for his first win of the year. Despite a strong points position, Elliott believes his recurring troubles in qualifying sessions are limiting his opportunities to reach Victory Lane. The skilled driver identifies qualifying as the core challenge stalling his progress this season.
Starting 15th at EchoPark Speedway for the upcoming Saturday night race reflects Elliott’s ongoing qualifying difficulties in 2025. Since turning full-time Cup Series driver in 2016, Elliott has never been a standout in qualifying, but his struggles this year have been more pronounced. Out of 18 qualifying attempts, he has secured a top-10 starting position only four times, making it clear that this area is where he faces his toughest obstacle.
“I think there are a lot of things that go into that,”
Elliott explained.
“It’s a little bit of everything, truthfully, but I think probably the biggest one is qualifying. You know, I think the qualifying thing is so important and an area that I have struggled in. No doubt.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Beyond just determining starting position, Elliott emphasizes how qualifying impacts the entire race experience. Poor starting spots force him to navigate traffic during green-flag runs, which affects how his car performs on the track.
“Starting (green-flag) runs in traffic can just really dictate what your car drives like,”
he said.
“So, I think being up front, having a really good pit stall, keeping yourself up there, it can change the complexion of your day in such a large way. … I think that would be really top of mind for me as I look at what is one thing that we can do to help ourselves. I think that is probably it.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Elliott’s Close Connection to Atlanta and Desire to Break Winless Streak
As a resident of Dawsonville, Georgia, Chase Elliott considers the Atlanta area and EchoPark Speedway a home track, making Saturday night’s race particularly meaningful. With only one career Cup Series win in 13 starts at this venue, he is eager to claim his second Atlanta victory and his first win of the 2025 season. Ending his ongoing drought, which dates back to April 2024, is a clear priority for the driver.
Asked about his expectations for the race weekend, Elliott offered a straightforward response.
“I would like to go win,”
he said. Pretty simple. —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Despite his calm demeanor, Elliott’s reflection reveals his determination to overcome the qualifying challenges that have been a major roadblock during the current season. He hopes that a strong performance on his home track will help shift momentum in his favor.
Impact of Qualifying Struggles on Elliott’s Season Prospects
Chase Elliott’s qualifying struggles not only affect his race-day positioning but also limit his overall chances to convert solid finishes into victories. His awareness of how crucial starting positions and pit stalls are showcases his experienced approach to finding competitive advantages in NASCAR’s demanding environment. Improving qualifying performance remains a key focus as Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports pursue success for the remainder of 2025.
With EchoPark Speedway’s race offering a prime opportunity, Elliott’s challenge will be to translate better qualifying efforts into a win that breaks his current streak. If he manages this, it could significantly boost his confidence, fan support, and standing within the Cup Series.