Chase Elliott Talks Talladega, Party Vibes, and Chasing NASCAR Cup Series Wins

Chase Elliott might not have grabbed the checkered flag at Talladega this past weekend, but the guy’s got a real soft spot for the place—and plenty of stats to back that up. Out of 18 races at the famed Alabama track, he’s chalked up eight top-10s, including a couple of wins. Not bad for someone who calls Talladega a "home race" thanks to its proximity to his Georgia roots. Elliott says the local love from fans makes it feel like a backyard bash, which, judging by Talladega’s reputation for wild infield parties, isn’t far off the mark.

"The craziness and chaos that is the infield is extremely well known," Elliott joked, highlighting how Talladega is as much about the spectacle as the racing. According to him, half the crowd could care less about the race as long as the experience is top-notch—and let’s be real, sometimes the party is more memorable than the finish line.

After finishing fifth this weekend—his third top-five of the season—Elliott remains steady in fourth place in Cup Series standings. But he’s not exactly satisfied. Despite those solid finishes, he’s yet to notch a win this year and has had some lackluster results sprinkled in, including two 15th-place finishes and a 20th. "We’ve been all over the board," Elliott admitted, calling his season just "OK." He’s had standout performances on days he didn’t expect and disappointing ones when he was hoping for more. Consistency, he says, is the missing ingredient.

Since his Cup Series championship win in 2020, Elliott’s been chasing the sweet spot between highs and lows. His best finishes since then were a pair of fourths, but he tumbled to 17th in 2023 and came back to seventh last year. To get back on top, he knows he needs to string together strong races—no matter the track or the week. "It’s been a little spotty, so we got to get it going here. I think we can, just gotta keep trucking."

In NASCAR, it’s all about momentum and timing. Elliott’s got the skills and the fan base—now he’s just got to find that groove and hang onto it. Or, as Talladega regulars would say, keep the wheels turning and the party rolling.