Chase Elliott’s 2025 playoff run has been anything but smooth sailing. After a regular season that finally saw him back in rhythm, with consistent top-fives and that electric Bristol Night Race win, his postseason ride has felt more like a high-speed balancing act than a victory lap. Kansas and Texas brought flashes of hope, but Las Vegas delivered a harsh reality check, shoving him below the cutline just as the stakes hit their peak.

Now, with Talladega’s chaos and Martinsville’s tight corners on the horizon, Elliott faces the kind of do-or-die stretch that defines champions. Yet, even amid the pressure, NASCAR’s quiet strategist seems to have boiled his situation down to one brutally honest thought, one that says everything about where his head’s at right now.

Chase Elliott has his goal set

Chase Elliott’s recent performance at the South Point 400 in Las Vegas provided a glimpse into both the challenges and progress that have defined his 2025 playoff run. Finishing 18th after starting 4th due to a costly pit road penalty, Elliott reflected candidly, “I think I find more relief than anything, and just our performance last week. I don’t think our result was a great indication of just the job we did throughout the week and throughout the entire weekend.”

Elliott’s day in Las Vegas began promisingly. However, his right front tire rolled away from the pit crew, resulting in a pass-through penalty that dropped him a lap down. Despite clawing back on the free pass, the setback ultimately left him unable to contend with the frontrunners in the final stages.

Currently on the bubble (sixth place with -23 points), Elliott’s playoff situation is straightforward but daunting. “I feel like we’ve got to go win,” he stated. “Have really good opportunities to win, to carve ourselves out of the position that we are in.” With just two races remaining before the Championship 4 cutline, every moment on track becomes vital. Elliott’s path to Phoenix will depend heavily on mastering two distinct challenges. First, the high-speed drafting chaos of Talladega and then the precision demands of Martinsville’s short track.

Historically, Elliott has been formidable at these tracks. At Martinsville Speedway, he boasts a win, multiple top-five finishes, and has built a reputation for tactical patience and aggressive late-race moves, resulting in an average finish of 12.1. His performance at Talladega has been equally impressive. Elliott boasts two wins (2019 and 2022) and has an average finish of 14.1.

As Elliott gears up for the final stretch of the playoffs for the 2025 season, one question looms large: Can the seasoned veteran convert his undeniable pace into breakout performances when it counts most? The answer will shape not just his season but his legacy in NASCAR’s most intense spotlight.

Chase Elliott secures 25th spot at Talladega

Chase Elliott entered the Talladega playoff race weekend with his eyes set firmly on redemption after a challenging Las Vegas outing. In the qualifying session for the YellaWood 500, Elliott qualified 25th with a lap time of 52.959 seconds. Despite not starting near the front, his experience at superspeedways like Talladega offers potential to navigate the pack and avoid the chaos that often defines these races.

The Talladega Superspeedway, known for its 2.66-mile length and high-speed drafting battles, requires drivers to master strategy, timing, and positioning. Elliott’s 25th-place start puts him mid-pack with a reasonable platform to make moves and capitalize on key moments. Historically, he’s proven capable at superspeedways, balancing aggression with caution to avoid the dreaded “Big One” wrecks common at these venues.

Among other playoff contenders sitting close to Elliott, Chase Briscoe will start near the front in 2nd position, William Byron secured 13th, and Joey Logano sits in 16th place. Ryan Blaney, another contender, qualified 8th. With rivals ahead and closely packed on the superspeedway, Elliott will need to use every bit of his experience and racecraft to strategize around these strong competitors.

While the starting position doesn’t guarantee playoff progression, Elliott’s steady pace and racecraft could allow him to leapfrog rivals. With two races remaining before the Championship 4 cutline, every inch of track gained at Talladega will be crucial. The question remains. Can Elliott turn a mid-pack start into a strong enough finish to keep his championship hopes alive as the season reaches its thrilling crescendo? The pressure and opportunities at Talladega will undoubtedly test the veteran driver’s mettle.