Walk into any race shop in North Carolina, and you'll hear the same thing: the car is only as good as the hands on the wheel. But when those hands belong to Chase Elliott, the conversation shifts. We aren't just talking about a hunk of sheet metal and a spec engine. We’re talking about the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, a machine that has become the definitive face of modern NASCAR.
Honestly, it’s a lot to live up to. Driving the number your Hall-of-Fame father, Bill Elliott, made legendary is one thing. Winning a championship in it? That’s another level entirely.
People think they know this car because they see it every Sunday. They see the blue and white NAPA logo or the bright Hooters orange. But the 2026 version of the chase elliott nascar car is a different beast than the one that won the title back in 2020. It's more complex. More temperamental. And way more interesting than most fans realize.
The Evolution of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
It’s easy to forget that NASCAR went through a massive hardware reset recently. Before the Next Gen car arrived, teams built their own chassis. It was a "who has the most money" contest. Now? It’s a spec world. Every team, from Hendrick to the smallest shop, starts with the same basic kit.
What makes Chase’s car special isn't some secret engine part. It’s the way Alan Gustafson—the longest-tenured crew chief in the garage—massages the setup. They’ve been together for over a decade. That kind of chemistry is rare. It’s why you’ll see Chase struggle in Stage 1, only to have a rocket ship by the final 50 laps.
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The car itself is a technical marvel. It uses an independent rear suspension, which was a huge departure from the old solid-axle truck-style rear ends NASCAR used for seventy years. It also features a five-speed sequential transaxle. Basically, instead of the old H-pattern shifter, Chase just clicks a lever forward or back. It sounds like a small change, but it transformed how these guys drive road courses like Watkins Glen or the Charlotte Roval.
Why the 2026 Paint Schemes Are Changing the Game
If you’ve been watching the reveals lately, you know Hendrick Motorsports "cooked" with the 2026 designs. The primary NAPA Auto Parts scheme is still the staple, but there’s a fresh energy this year. We’re seeing more white and a very specific "chrome blue" for the numbers that really pops under the lights.
But the real talk of the garage is the Prime Video partnership. This isn't just a tiny sticker on the fender. For 2026, Chase is running a full-blown black and blue Prime scheme at massive tracks like Talladega and Texas. It’s sleek. It’s aggressive. It looks fast sitting still.
We also have the "DESI9N TO DRIVE" program. This is probably the coolest thing Chase does. Every year, he lets patients from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta design the car’s look for a race. It’s not about aerodynamics or sponsor ROI there; it’s about a kid’s drawing hitting 200 mph. You can’t help but root for that.
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Breaking Down the Specs: What's Under the Hood?
Let’s get into the weeds for a second. Underneath that carbon-composite body sits a 358-cubic-inch V8 engine. Depending on the track, this thing puts out between 510 and 670 horsepower.
- Chassis: Spec steel tube frame.
- Transmission: Xtrac 5-speed sequential.
- Tires: 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with a single center-lock lug nut.
- Fuel: E15 98-octane Sunoco Green race fuel.
The move to the 18-inch wheel was controversial. For decades, NASCAR used 15-inch steel wheels with five lug nuts. Switching to a single lug nut changed pit stops forever. One mistake by the tire changer, and the whole wheel comes off—something we’ve seen happen to the No. 9 team more than once during the learning curve.
The Most Popular Driver vs. The Hardest Car to Drive
There’s a weird paradox with the chase elliott nascar car. Because Chase is so popular—voted Most Popular Driver every year since 2018—people assume his car is always the fastest. It’s not.
The Next Gen car is notoriously "on edge." It doesn't give the drivers much warning before it snaps around. In 2025, Chase managed to snap a 44-race winless streak at Atlanta, his home track. It was a masterclass in car control. He wasn't driving the fastest car that day; he was driving a car that wanted to wreck, and he refused to let it.
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He followed that up with a massive win at Kansas in September 2025. What people don't realize is how much the aero-wash affects these cars. If you're trailing someone, your front end loses grip. It's like driving on ice. The No. 9 team has become experts at "air blocking" and finding "clean air" in ways that other teams are still trying to figure out.
What to Watch for in the 2026 Season
If you're following the No. 9 this year, keep an eye on the short tracks. NASCAR has been testing a new 2026 horsepower package at North Wilkesboro to try and fix the "boring" racing on smaller ovals. Chase was part of those tests. If they find more power, his smooth driving style is going to be a massive advantage.
Also, pay attention to the return of "The Chase" format. NASCAR brought back the classic championship name for 2026, and Elliott has already been vocal about how much he loves the historical tie-in. He’s looking for his second Cup title, and with 21 career wins under his belt, he’s officially in the "veteran" category now.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with the No. 9 car like a pro, do these three things:
- Check the Hendrick Motorsports "Paint Scheme Preview" every Wednesday. They rotate sponsors like Kelley Blue Book, UniFirst, and LLumar constantly.
- Listen to the No. 9 scanner during the race. You’ll hear the raw, sometimes frustrated, communication between Chase and Alan Gustafson. It tells you way more about the car’s handling than the TV broadcast ever will.
- Watch the restart lane. Chase is one of the best at timing the "S-turn" on restarts to get his Chevy into a gap. It’s a subtle art.
The No. 9 Chevrolet isn't just a car; it’s a legacy in motion. Whether it’s the iconic NAPA blue or the new Prime Video black, it’s going to be at the front of the pack. You can bet on that.