Chase Elliott secured a hard-fought victory at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta this past weekend, ending a year-long winless streak. The Hendrick Motorsports driver faced a challenging race marked by multiple wrecks and fierce competition but managed to reach Victory Lane, delivering an important Chase Elliott Atlanta NASCAR win.
Elliott shared his thoughts during a Victory Lap interview with Kevin Harvick, revealing that the track conditions at the start of the event were particularly troublesome and unpredictable, which made the early laps very difficult to navigate.
Challenging Track Conditions Tested Drivers Early
Discussing the opening of the race, Elliott explained that the track felt “super sketchy” during the first run, a feeling he said he had also experienced at recent races there. The issue stemmed from most drivers using setups similar to those for superspeedways, which led to cars being pushed hard into the corners with the backs of their cars down.
It hasn’t really changed a ton. I don’t know if you experienced this, but really, probably the last three races there, I feel like the first run is super sketchy, for whatever reason,
Elliott told Harvick.
It went through the normal transition, and I don’t know what happens to the track or what changes it from the start of the run to the end. Certainly the nightfall, this particular trip, I’m sure had an impact on it. I’ve seen this even during the day, by halfway, the track was super locked down. Had a lot of grip, and you could get away with, you know, those high stop loads and things that you would typically do at speedways only.
Despite the uncertain track conditions early on, Elliott adapted as the race progressed, capitalizing on the increased grip and stability as the track “locked down” later in the event.
Victory Celebrations and Emotional Connection with Fans
After overcoming the difficult race start and strong competition, Elliott secured the victory on his home track. His emotional response was evident as he climbed into the stands to celebrate with fans from Georgia, who enthusiastically cheered “Let’s Go Chase.”
Speaking with TNT’s Marty Snider after the win, Elliott expressed his disbelief and gratitude for the achievement.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable. How about that? Are you kidding me? I’ve never in my life. This is unbelievable. Thank you guys so much. What a special car.
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
Just a huge thanks to NAPA Auto Parts and everything they do for me and to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. … It was a lot of fun. This right here is something I will never forget, so thank you guys so much.
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
Looking Ahead: Momentum and Potential for Future Success
With this Atlanta victory breaking his winless stretch, Chase Elliott now looks poised to build momentum for the rest of the 2025 NASCAR season. The strong performance caught the attention of seasoned competitor Kevin Harvick and suggested that Elliott could add more wins in the upcoming summer races.
This win not only uplifts Elliott’s confidence but also reinforces his standing within Hendrick Motorsports and among his peers. The Atlanta NASCAR win solidifies his capability to persevere through challenging conditions and emerge victorious at a critical stage in the season.