As the NASCAR Playoffs roll into New Hampshire, Chase Elliott’s Round of 16 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. He opened with a gritty 17th-place run at Darlington after starting 21st, then bounced back big with a strong podium finish at Gateway that reminded everyone why he’s a former champ. But Bristol nearly derailed it all as a crash left him 38th, putting added pressure on his playoff push.

Now, with the Round of 12 looming, Loudon becomes Elliott’s proving ground. And from the sound of it, the Hendrick Motorsports ace is more than ready for a fight. Literally! He’s made it clear he’s willing to scrap for every spot on Sunday to keep his championship hopes alive.

Chase Elliott’s battle plan at Loudon

Chase Elliott’s qualifying for the USA Today 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway landed him a challenging 27th starting spot, far from the front but not out of contention. “Well, pretty standard,” Elliott said, reflecting a measured acceptance. Despite a less-than-ideal grid position, Elliott’s focus is clear: “Just grind it out, man. Try to keep the right tire on it and make the most of whatever it is. Will fight to death.”

Tire management at Loudon will be pivotal, especially after Elliott’s tough experience at Bristol last race, where tire wear and late pit strategy impacted his overall finish. His race ended prematurely after a crash on Lap 311 when he appeared to cut down in front of John Hunter Nemechek, who was pushed into the corner by Denny Hamlin. The accident caused severe damage to his No. 9 Chevrolet, ending his night early. Managing grip through the long green-flag runs remains key to advancing through the field and surviving the intense playoff competition.

Chase Elliott has a respectable history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with an average finish of around 14 over 11 starts. Though he hasn’t secured a win in the Next Gen car era at Loudon, his consistent performances include 3 top-10 finishes. In the 2023 season, Elliott managed a 12th-place finish at New Hampshire, showing a competitive pace, though still seeking a breakthrough victory at this challenging flat one-mile track.

Practice sessions offered proof of potential, with Elliott posting the 20th fastest lap time with 30.047 out of 36 cars. “I thought we were respectable in practice. Unfortunately, that was what it was, but, yeah, maybe it’ll be better tomorrow,” he conceded. While he didn’t dominate, solid practice data provides a foundation for race adjustments, highlighting the need for steady improvements through strategy and adaptability as the race unfolds.

For Elliott, success at Loudon will require resilience and tactical precision. Starting on the 27th presents a tough climb, but if anyone can leverage tire strategy and endurance for a deep playoff run, it’s Elliott. His realistic and determined mindset sets the tone for a tenacious race-day effort at New Hampshire. But his teammates also require the same mindset.

Hendrick Motorsports’ strong showing despite mixed results

Hendrick Motorsports put four cars in the top 30 during qualifying for the 2025 USA Today 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. William Byron led the way, qualifying an impressive 5th with a lap time just 0.214 seconds off the pole. His speed reflects Hendrick’s strength on flat, one-mile tracks and sets him up well for the race.

Alex Bowman, while undergoing struggles outside NASCAR with the sale of Alex Bowman Racing, grabbed 7th place, continuing his consistent presence near the front, while Kyle Larson qualified 16th.

William Byron’s top-five start joins the Hendrick tradition of strong performances at New Hampshire. They boast a record 83 top-10 finishes. Most of any organization is on this track. The team this time will be focusing on car balance and tire management specific to Loudon’s unique challenges. Bowman’s and Larson’s solid grid positions give the team multiple shots at strategic maneuvering during the race, while Elliott will need to fight through the field with grit and skill.

This mix of front-runners and challengers within Hendrick’s stable highlights both strength in depth and the task ahead – converting promising qualifying into race day success, especially with fierce competition from Team Penske, with Joey Logano snatching pole and Ryan Blaney second, both lurking in the front. With varying starting positions, the Hendrick drivers must execute flawlessly to keep championship hopes alive at this pivotal playoff race.