Chase Elliott and the Daytona 500. It’s a complicated relationship, isn’t it? Every February, the NASCAR world descends on the Florida coast with one question: Is this the year for the No. 9? You’ve got the 2020 champion, the guy who has been voted Most Popular Driver seven years running, and a driver with 21 career Cup wins. Yet, that Harley J. Earl trophy remains noticeably absent from his shelf.
It's weird.
Actually, it's more than weird when you look at how he starts these races versus how he finishes them. Most people think he's just unlucky. While there is plenty of evidence for that, the reality of Chase Elliott's history at Daytona International Speedway is a rollercoaster of record-breaking speed followed by heartbreaking mechanical failures or massive multi-car pileups. Honestly, it’s enough to make any fan want to pull their hair out.
The Early Dominance that Fooled Us All
Let’s go back to 2016. Chase was the 20-year-old kid stepping into Jeff Gordon’s legendary No. 24 car. The pressure was immense. What does he do? He goes out and grabs the pole for the Daytona 500. He became the youngest pole-sitter in the history of the race. Everyone thought the torch had been passed perfectly. Then, lap 18 happened. He spun out coming off turn four, slid into the grass, and tore up the front end. He finished 37th.
He came back in 2017 and did it again. Another pole.
In that 2017 race, it actually looked like he was going to win. He led 39 laps and was in total control late in the game. But with three laps to go, the car started sputtering. Empty tank. He ran out of fuel while leading the biggest race in the world. He ended up 14th, watching Kurt Busch take the checkered flag. That one still stings for the Dawsonville, Georgia, crowd. It was "devastating," a word Chase himself used later.
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The "Big One" and the 2025 Photo Finish
If you track his stats, Chase has a bit of a "feast or famine" vibe at Daytona. Between 2016 and 2020, he didn't even sniff a top-ten finish in the 500. He was either getting caught in "The Big One" or spinning out on the final lap.
- 2018: Wrecked on lap 101. Finished 33rd.
- 2019: Caught in a late-race crash. Finished 17th.
- 2020: Spun on the very last lap while running up front. Finished 17th.
Things finally shifted in 2021. He finished second to Michael McDowell in a race that ended under caution because of a massive fireball on the backstretch. He was less than a car length away from the win.
But nothing compares to what we just saw in the 2025 Daytona 500.
That race was an absolute classic, featuring a showdown between Chase and Jimmie Johnson, who was making a special appearance. It came down to a drag race off turn four. Chase took the outside line with a push from Ryan Blaney, and they crossed the line almost perfectly synchronized. Chase took the win by 0.003 seconds. It was the second-closest finish in the history of the event.
Wait. Let’s be real for a second. While 2025 was a massive triumph for the No. 9 team, and it finally checked that box, the conversation hasn't stopped. Because in NASCAR, one win doesn't satisfy the "what have you done for me lately" crowd.
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The Alan Gustafson Factor
You can't talk about Chase's performance without mentioning his crew chief, Alan Gustafson. Gustafson is a Daytona Beach native. For him, winning the Daytona 500 isn't just a professional goal; it's a homecoming. They have been together through the fuel mileage heartbreaks and the qualifying triumphs.
The pair has found a way to be consistently fast. In 2024, they showed that even when they aren't winning, they are "there." Chase led the series in top-20 finishes that year, showing a level of discipline that kept him out of trouble more often than not. That's the secret to Daytona. You have to be aggressive enough to lead but smart enough to survive the chaos of 190 mph bumper cars.
What the Stats Actually Tell Us
If you’re looking at the raw numbers, Chase Elliott’s average finish at Daytona is around 20.2. That sounds mediocre until you realize how many times he was running in the top five before a crash that wasn't his fault took him out.
| Metric | Daytona 500 Stats |
|---|---|
| Poles | 2 (2016, 2017) |
| Top 5s | 2 |
| Best Finish | 1st (2025) |
| Laps Led | 85+ |
The jump from an average finish in the 20s to finally winning in 2025 highlights a shift in his drafting strategy. Earlier in his career, he was almost too brave. Now, he’s learned the Jimmie Johnson method: wait, lurk, and strike when the fuel windows and the lanes open up.
Misconceptions About Chase at Superspeedways
Some people used to say Chase couldn't win on drafting tracks. That's just wrong. He has two wins at Talladega. He won at Atlanta in 2022 when it was essentially a "mini-Daytona." The skill has always been there. The problem at Daytona is the track itself. It’s narrower than Talladega. The wrecks are more frequent. The "Save the Car" mentality is harder to maintain when everyone is fighting for the most prestigious trophy in the sport.
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He’s also dealing with the shadow of his father, Bill Elliott. "Awesome Bill" won the Daytona 500 twice (1985 and 1987) and still holds the fastest qualifying record there at over 210 mph. Following that up is a tall order.
How to Watch Chase in the Next Daytona 500
If you're heading to the track or watching from home, there are a few things to keep an eye on regarding the No. 9 car.
First, watch the Duels. Chase usually uses the Thursday night qualifying races to test how his car handles in the draft. If he's willing to put his car in three-wide situations on Thursday, he's got a fast piece under him.
Second, look at his "push" partner. Hendrick Motorsports teammates often stick together, but Chase has a weirdly good chemistry with Ryan Blaney (even though they drive for different manufacturers). They often find each other in the closing laps.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Qualifying doesn't equal winning: Chase has the speed to qualify 1st or 2nd, but his win came from starting P4. Don't overvalue the pole.
- Stage Points matter: Even when he doesn't win, Chase is a master at picking up Stage 1 and Stage 2 points. If you're playing fantasy NASCAR, he’s a "safe" pick for points even if he wrecks late.
- The Fuel Window: Keep an eye on the lap count during the final stage. The 2017 heartbreak happened because of a miscalculation. Gustafson is much more conservative now, often opting to "top off" more than the field.
Chase Elliott’s journey at Daytona is a reminder that in racing, talent only gets you to the lead. To cross the finish line first at the Daytona 500, you need a perfect alignment of luck, fuel, and a very steady right foot. He’s finally tasted that victory, but the "Great American Race" always demands more.
Keep an eye on the No. 9 NAPA Chevy. Whether he's leading the pack or climbing out of a wrecked car, it's never boring when Chase Elliott is at Daytona.