Three weeks have passed since the Texas race, and the stunning comeback story it harbored is still the talk of the town. After getting sidelined for 42 Cup races, Chase Elliott stormed back into the winning scene of NASCAR. And the journey to the podium has been a prickly one, laden with obstacles every step of the way.

Chase Elliott suffered a knee injury in a snowboarding accident in 2023 and saw his playoff chances spiraling away from him. His troubles saw no end in sight as his long-time spotter, Eddie D’Hondt, packed up his bags and left. However, the memory of his previous fire helped his journey of recovery.

Chase Elliott had faith in himself

2023 marked the first season that Chase Elliott walked out of a NASCAR Cup schedule without a single win. However, he did not let his drooping spirits get the better of him. Elliott worked hard with his No. 9 team for a slow but sure comeback in 2024. They crept up the ladder after Daytona, never letting the winless hangover overcome them.

Elliott secured 5th place at Richmond and then grabbed a podium finish at Martinsville. The six-time defending Most Popular Driver held his fans at the edge of their seats. Sure enough, Chase Elliott found his long-lost glory in the Lone Star state. 

On a recent ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ episode, Harvick asked Elliott about the relief he felt on seizing that coveted win. Elliott responded, “Yeah, the first time…I’m not quite used to seeing the other side of the interviews…it is odd, I’m getting used to it. Yeah definitely, relief involved, for sure.”

Elliott and his crew chief Alan Gustafson had won 18 trophies together. Hence he had to remind himself during his troubles that he was capable of more. He revealed his seven-word mantra to propel him forward, ‘Man I know I’m better than this”. Elliott added, “We can do better, at least get ourselves in position.’” 

Chase Elliott prioritized the difficult but inspiring journey over the actual win. “Obviously, winning is just the cherry on top. I think it’s more running well.” He added: “It’s not just the winning…Really more than anything, it’s the running, like I feel capable of running. So that has been better over the last month or so. And anytime that elevates to a new level or a new position where you feel like it’s competitive again, to me that is the biggest hurdle.”

To tackle that hurdle, a tireless No. 9 team stuck to Chase Elliott through thick and thin. However, Elliott had no problem letting go of people who wanted to leave.

Elliott recognizes the grim reality of the sport

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When Chase Elliott was in the thick of his 2023 setbacks, a crew shuffle was saddening. His old spotter, Eddie D’Hondt, had worked with him for over eight seasons since Elliott’s debut year. However, when a door closes, another one opens. Chase Elliott’s own cousin, Trey Poole, replaced D’Hondt. As far as the No. 9 team is running this year, it seems like this driver-spotter pair is a match made in heaven.

After his Texas win, Chase Elliott reflected on this spotter shuffle with an edge of wisdom. He recognized the need to pay attention to who he had instead of who he lost. “People are going to move on, they will have other opportunities within the team, take jobs outside of the sport. These things just don’t last forever.”

Elliott’s inspiring mindset may be just the thing propelling him steadily toward a successful playoff run this year.