By now, it’s no secret that 2023 hasn’t been Chase Elliott‘s year, a sentiment echoed by both him and his fans, marking it as his least favorite season since 2016. After a six-year streak of making it to the playoffs, this year has been a different story. Fans have been on the edge of their seats, waiting for their favorite, Chase Elliott, to reclaim his throne on the race tracks. Yet, current whispers in NASCAR circles suggest that 2024 might not be his comeback year either. And the reason? His car.

Just recently, Ford rolled out the red carpet for their new Mustang Dark Horse, set to debut in 2024. Toyota wasn’t far behind, unveiling their sleek new contender for the NASCAR Cup Series, the Camry XSE Next Gen, a car that combines a fresh aesthetic with a name that’s been around the track a few times. But with Chevrolet still playing its cards close to the chest, there’s a growing concern that Chase Elliott might find himself trailing behind the pack again due to the lack of updates to his ride.

January 2024 could be the last chance for Chevrolet and Chase Elliott to make a comeback

The 2023 season’s setbacks for Chase Elliott seemed to be more ill-fated than anything else. Yet, one game-changer for him could be a top-tier competitive car, something he’s currently lacking. Ford unveiled its street model of the Mustang Dark Horse in late 2022, a proud continuation of its seventh-generation legacy. The manufacturer’s commitment runs deep, as it plans to showcase the Mustang on six continents in 2024.

On the other side, Toyota’s new model stepped in to replace the Toyota Camry TRD from NASCAR’s seventh-gen era. Its new design mirrors the upcoming 2025 model-year Camry, scheduled to hit the streets in the upcoming spring. It was Toyota’s fifth foray into NASCAR’s premier league, echoing the industry’s trend of aligning race cars more closely with their street counterparts.

While Ford and Toyota are already in the thick of testing their new machines, Chevrolet seems to be lagging, with no news of similar advancements. According to Scott Bell, VP of Global Chevrolet, the final sixth-generation Camaro is set to debut in January 2024. This delay means that while Ford and Toyota drivers have ample time to acclimatize to their new rides, Chevrolet drivers like Chase Elliott are left with less time to adjust.

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Initially, fans were all in for Elliott clinching the win next season. But with the unveiling of the new Ford and Toyota models, the scales seem to have tipped, altering fan expectations and the competitive landscape.

The jury’s still out on whether 2024 will be Chase Elliott’s year or not

When NASCAR on NBC stirred the pot on Twitter, asking “Will Chase Elliott visit victory lane more than twice next season? #NASCAR,” fans didn’t hold back. One fan predicted a dry spell, commenting, “U. Winless again.”

Another chimed in with a tongue-in-cheek remark about Elliott’s continued popularity: “At least will win MPD 😂😂😂.” Well, it looks like according to fans, while his charm might win hearts, the track record is another story.

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Some fans pointed to the nitty-gritty of racing dynamics, particularly Chevy’s potential struggles against the revamped Ford and Toyota models. “Under. Chevy is going to be at a huge disadvantage to the redesigned Fords and Toyotas.”

One fan noted, mirroring the sentiment of another who felt Chevy might initially lead but eventually fall behind once Ford and Toyota get the hang of their new bodies: “May have to take the under just because I think Chevy will have an early advantage, then once ford/toyota figure out new body, they will rule and Chevy will be at the disadvantage.”

Another racing aficionado added, “Under. They weren’t really close last year. RC advantage is gone. Toyotas will be improved on plate tracks. He’ll make the playoffs though.” And then there was the succinctness and skepticism; a fan said, “Doubt it,” underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Elliott’s performance in 2024.

So, what’s your take on this shift in fan loyalty and expectations?