The NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday proved frustrating for Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. A poorly timed pit call by crew chief Alan Gustafson, just before the rain arrived, hindered Elliott’s chances, leading to a sixth-place finish. Race winner Denny Hamlin weighed in on the situation, underscoring the nature of Elliott’s driving style within the sport.
Speaking on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin pointed out that Chase Elliott differs from dominant drivers like his teammate Kyle Larson or several other leading competitors. Elliott rarely leads stretches of 100 to 200 laps but remains a constant presence in the top 10, consistently securing solid finishes and occasional wins rather than overwhelming control of a race weekend.
To me it felt like one of his stronger performances…I just feel as though Chase isn’t one of those guys that leads 100-200 laps in races, right? He’ll get you really good finishes and he’ll get you some wins, but it’s not dominating.
Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.
Hamlin emphasized that Elliott’s style is based more on steadiness than sheer dominance, which makes him a reliable competitor even if he does not frequently command the front of the field for extended periods.
Consistency Drives Elliott’s Position at the Top of the Standings
During the podcast, Hamlin also explained how Chase Elliott’s steady race results, combined with struggles faced by several front-runners, have helped Elliott lead the regular-season standings. Over recent months, competitors such as William Byron, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Hamlin himself have encountered ongoing difficulties, allowing Elliott to capitalize through consistent finishes.
Six weeks ago, he was 10th to 15th every week and then would finish in the top 10 because attrition and whatever, and now he’s leading. A lot of it is [William] Byron‘s had a very tough couple months. All of us guys at the top, there was three or four of us that had major issues. Chase doesn’t have those.
Denny Hamlin added.
Hamlin underscored that while several championship contenders have faced setbacks, Elliott’s steadiness in avoiding major problems has been crucial to his current lead in the season title race.
Strategic Shifts Strengthen Elliott’s Team
Early in the season, fans expressed disappointment with Elliott’s team for a conservative approach focused on points accumulation rather than aggressive attempts at race wins. However, Hamlin noted improvements in the team’s strategy while maintaining consistent, measured progress, which has bolstered their competitiveness as the season advances. Unlike other contenders, Elliott’s team has shown a clear upward trajectory in performance.
He’s made a massive run, and it’s not just because of this one week. I’ve just feel like they’ve turned the corner, and they are stronger now than what they were.
Denny Hamlin asserted.
Hamlin’s remarks suggest that Elliott’s team has strengthened by refining its approach and building on steady gains rather than relying on sporadic dominance.
Chase Elliott’s Perspective on Overcoming Setbacks
After the race, Chase Elliott spoke to the media about his disappointing finish following a strong start from pole position. Acknowledging the challenges faced, he remained optimistic, noting that enough racing time remains to recover and make an impact moving forward.
You know you’re still early enough in the event at that point that there’s still a lot of time to recover. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows all the time, so you just have to deal with whatever comes your way, and we had an issue come our way and I felt like we’ve dealt with it well.
Chase Elliott said.
Elliott’s comments indicate a resilient mindset, focused on managing difficulties and continuing to compete effectively as the season progresses.
Goals to Secure Wins and Championship Momentum
With five regular-season races remaining before the playoffs begin, Chase Elliott has two clear objectives. He aims to capture at least one more race win this season, which would provide crucial momentum and additional playoff points. Furthermore, Elliott is pursuing his second regular-season championship in the Next-Gen car era, a milestone that would affirm his consistency and competitive growth.
His steady rise, as acknowledged by Denny Hamlin, reflects a driver who may not dominate laps but remains a persistent threat through consistent finishes and strategic racing. This approach could prove decisive as the NASCAR season heads toward its critical final stages.