Chase Elliott experienced a challenging day on the track at Watkins Glen during the Go Bowling at The Glen race, yet an unusual post-race image captured attention online. After the event, the Hendrick Motorsports driver shared photos on X showing a fan whose back was marked by a distinctive sunburn in the shape of Elliott’s No. 9, humorously highlighting the dedication of his supporters despite the tough race weekend.
Starting in 20th place, Elliott struggled to gain ground throughout the race and ultimately finished 26th, breaking his streak of 23 consecutive top-20 finishes. His last finish outside the top 20 came earlier this season at the Kansas playoff race. Although he earned seven points by staying on track during the first stage, Elliott’s afternoon never fully recovered.
Performance of Hendrick Motorsports Drivers at Watkins Glen
The difficult race weekend did not only affect Elliott; his teammates also faced mixed results. William Byron managed a strong fourth-place finish, boosting his lead in the regular-season championship standings. Meanwhile, Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson finished 20th and 39th respectively, failing to challenge significantly in this race.
William Byron Leads the Regular-Season Standings as Playoffs Approach
William Byron continued his solid momentum at a critical point in the season following his victory at Iowa, which ended a long winless streak since April’s Martinsville race. At Watkins Glen, he recorded his ninth top-five result this year and now holds a 42-point advantage over Chase Elliott in the regular-season standings with 812 points.
Elliott has shown remarkable consistency through most of the 2025 season but has struggled in recent races, finishing 13th or lower in the last three events. With only two races remaining before the playoffs, his timing is less than ideal. Former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Steve Letarte has emphasized the importance of race wins under the current playoff system rather than steady finishes for advancing through the rounds.
Richmond Raceway Offers Elliott a Chance to Rebound
The upcoming race at Richmond Raceway represents an opportunity for Chase Elliott to regain momentum and close the gap to Byron before the playoffs begin. Elliott has historically performed well at the 0.75-mile oval, with no finish worse than 15th since 2017. However, a win at Richmond has eluded him in 17 starts.
The Cook Out 400, scheduled for Saturday night, August 16, will run 400 laps and 300 miles under the lights, presenting a challenging evening setting. Elliott has often been competitive in night races at this venue, but he is still looking for his breakthrough victory in Virginia. Whether he can halt his recent decline and begin a new streak of top-20 finishes remains uncertain.
Fan Dedication Brings Light to a Difficult Weekend
Despite Elliott’s struggles in the race, the fan’s impressive sunburn shaped exactly like the No. 9 car added a moment of levity to the weekend. Elliott’s post on X acknowledged the amusing phenomenon:
“Sunburnt 9’s ftw.”
—Chase Elliott, Driver
This light-hearted moment contrasted sharply with the tough results but also highlighted the strong connection between Elliott and his fans during a trying period in his racing campaign.