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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 08: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and his father Bill Elliott pose for a photo after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 and the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 08: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and his father Bill Elliott pose for a photo after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 and the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
2020 turned out to be a brilliant year for Chase Elliott with his exploits in the Cup Series. There was a sense of significance when the Hendrick Motorsports No.9 crossed the finish line at Phoenix; a star was born.
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Having worked his way through junior racing levels, Elliott has faced his own share of struggles. But with a solid team, an intuitive crew chief, and an ever-improving racing driver, success was bound to arrive sooner than later.
As part of his achievement, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame (GRHOF) hosted a small ceremony to present Elliott with some awards and memorable collectibles. Of the lot was the prestigious ‘Championship’ ring that the 25-year-old from Dawsonville received.
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Goodyear also gifted Chase Elliott with a small-scale replica of his No.9 championship-winning car
Posting on Twitter, he wrote, “Thanks to all for supporting the @GaRacingHOF in such a big way, a great night for a great facility! Thank you to @nascar and @GoodyearRacing for the presentation of two amazing awards tonight too, a great honor hosting you in GA.”
Champion has a nice ring to it!
Tonight @chaseelliott was presented with a championship ring to celebrate his 2020 title. pic.twitter.com/Y8VA0VPbAl
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) February 2, 2021
A championship celebration like no other!
Tonight’s special event marked the unveil of the @chaseelliott exhibit at the @GaRacingHOF. pic.twitter.com/b7yr3D83iS
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) February 2, 2021
A special night at the @GaRacingHOF for the defending champion!@chaseelliott received a gold @Goodyear race car to commemorate his first #NASCAR Cup Series title. pic.twitter.com/gCcuQZM77A
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) February 1, 2021
NASCAR CEO Jim France was also reportedly in attendance to present Elliott with the ‘Championship’ ring. Rest assured, the latter will cherish that as one of his most prized accolades.
Goodyear, the competition’s tires’ supplier, gave the driver a golden miniature replica of his No.9 NAPA Auto Parts championship-winning car. After all, he has much to owe to the machinery that got him through the 36-races season, en route to winning the title.
Elliott only became a genuine title contender in the closing stages of the 2020 season
The Hendrick Motorsports superstar did not get off to the right start in last year’s Daytona 500. Even through the regular season, he did not display his fullest potential in terms of winning races.
Clyde will be pulling up to @DAYTONA with fresh ice on his fingers 🧊.@chaseelliott | @TeamHendrick pic.twitter.com/RVu807iUiQ
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 2, 2021
But with a situation akin to ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man’, Elliott stormed past the field to emerge victorious in Martinsville. That momentum gave him confidence in Phoenix, where he eventually won the race to become the champion.
The reigning victor will have to put up a staunch title challenge, especially with other teams also strengthening. But considering his champion mentality, he would showcase why he will be the man to beat over the course of the 2021 campaign.
