It was a story worth remembering for Hendrick Motorsports star Chase Elliott. The 24-year-old driver absolutely outclassed everyone on the day to lift his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series championship trophy.

Many had counted him out of the reckoning after he failed a pre-race inspection twice. After all, who would have thought someone starting from the back of the grid would go on to win the race?

The newly crowned champion has now revealed his earliest memories of wanting to become a professional racer. As is obvious by nature, it had a lot to do with his father Bill Elliott’s racing career.

Chase Elliott was inspired by his father’s years at Evernham

Elliott Sr’s own career saw him attain a decent level of success with a host of teams. Chase, at the time a small boy, saw his father win races, and he believes that was a factor in his own career decision.

Speaking in an interview, Elliott said, “It was early 2000s and dad was racing for Evernham and they were having you know some success. See, I wasn’t around for the heyday, you know, through the 80s and stuff, so that was really all I knew.”

“Those were the years that really made me want to get to race was that you know, red Dodge number 9. But you know, big moments and I mean my goodness what else could you ask for,” concluded in his comments.

What was really special about Chase’s achievement was the fact that a Hendrick Motorsports driver had made it to the Championship 4 for the first time since 2016. The last time that happened was four years ago when Jimmie Johnson was at the wheel of his No.48 and won the title.

Elliott’s father has played a crucial role in his development

Ever since Chase started competing early in his teenage days, there was a lot that had to be managed. After all, there have been plenty of stories of talent being wasted over the course of their development.

His father Bill acted as an anchor growing up and guided and motivated him throughout. Chase often looked up to him and has previously credited him for helping him get to the higher levels of NASCAR racing.

The No.9 repaid that faith last Sunday at the Phoenix Raceway. Perhaps some of that evergreen Elliott spirit powered Chase to his superb fightback from the last position, en route to winning a Cup Series championship.

ALSO READ – “They Really Found Something” – Joey Logano Explains How Chase Elliott Won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race