2023 has been bittersweet for Rick Hendrick for many reasons. For starters, two of his best Cup Series drivers got ousted from playoff contention. However, it’s been equally sweet as his #9 car entered the owner’s championship, with Kyle Larson and William Byron making it into the driver’s championship in the playoff rumble. To top it all off, Rick Hendrick got his long-awaited win number 300 at Texas Motor Speedway through the able hands of the #24 icon, William Byron. However, the HMS Golden Boy has been missing his usual luster lately.

Hendrick Motorsports fans are perhaps wondering when Chase Elliott will regain the winning momentum that crowned him the 2020 Cup Series champion. Chase Elliott has a reputation for being great at road courses. Will the Regal be a comeback for the Chevy sensation?

Dale Jarrett dissed Chase Elliott for the biggest NASCAR underdog

Back to the seasonal race at Watkins Glen, every Hendrick Motorsports fan hoped that their Golden Boy would seal the deal and make it into the playoffs this year, just like every time. But on lap 55, a misinterpreted pit strategy left his car out of fuel, and the NAPA driver was dejected. And with that, Chase Elliott had just two things on his bucket list: one, to regain his mojo, and two, to get Mr. H’s 300th win.

But none of the two worked out his way. Despite running top-5 and top-10 in the last few races, Elliott has not been able to bring out his A-game. As the round of 12 is just one race from packing up, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett disregarded Chase Elliott’s chances of winning at the Charlotte road course race.

While talking to Nate Ryan and Kim Coon, the 66-year-old NASCAR vet said, “I’m just gonna say up front; I don’t think Chase Elliott wins this race. I know he’s been outstanding at this track but there’s just nothing telling me still, that this driver and team are ready to win in 2023 at this point.”

However, Dale sided with Front Row Motorsports when he pointed out Michael McDowell‘s innate ability to emerge victorious at the most unexpected hours. He reflected on the #34 Ford pilot’s dominant win at the Indianapolis road course race back in August and admitted, “You cannot overlook the fact of his (McDowell’s) dominance at Indy and what they were able to do and over the last two years with this car at the road courses.”

Watch this story: Hendrick Motorsports Driver Blamed Teammate Chase Elliott for Meeting Delay as Kyle Larson & Co. Wait

Can Chase Elliott prove Jarrett wrong by replicating his performance at the ROVAL from 3 years ago?

Amidst all odds, Charlotte Roval remains a strong suit for No. 9 of Rick Hendrick

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2020 was a special year for the 27-year-old. Not only did he win his first-ever Cup Series championship, but he brought an end to a two-fold heartbreak after being wrecked by Kyle Busch at Darlington and knocked off by a late caution at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His misfortune ended at Charlotte when he won his first victory of the season at the 1.5-mile-long racetrack.

The number 9 team made a pit stop on the 146th lap to make a few crucial adjustments to Elliott’s car, which allowed him to steer forth just 32 laps from the final restart, beating Kevin Harvick’s #4 Ford Mustang, thanks to his crew chief Alan Gustafson. Elliott exclaimed, “Alan made a great call there at the end to get it tuned up, and luckily the run went long, and I think that fell in our favor.”

“Not Gonna Win Any Awards” – Despite Hendrick Motorsports Taking the Cake, Dale Earnhardt Jr Disappointed by ‘Shortest’ Watkins Glen Outing

According to NASCAR, Chase Elliott was heavily relieved to get his first win of the season, and that too meant he lost his chances of winning the Coca-Cola 600. He said, “Man, it was a tough week for sure. We’ve had some tough losses, but that deal on Sunday night was a heartbreaker. It’s not the Coke 600, but any win in the Cup Series is really hard to get.”

Fast forward to today, and Chase Elliott’s depleted confidence might find a good deal of boost if he wins at Charlotte. On that note, let’s cross our fingers for the most popular driver in NASCAR.