Chase Elliott focused on wins first, then fun
NEXT FACE OF NASCAR?
NASCAR is a character-hungry industry. The lifeblood of the sport centres on drivers’ personalities to connect with fans.
And, right now, it faces an uncertain future with how the next wave of drivers carry the torch from drivers who made the sport explode in popularity in the 1990s.
Jeff Gordon is among the most transcendent driver in the sport’s history, doing everything from winning four championships to hosting shows such as “Saturday Night Live.”
Gordon, however, called it a career after last season.
Tony Stewart, another household name known for his brash personality, is retiring after this season. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are in their 40s, and on the backside of their careers.
But there is hope in NASCAR that they have a promising, talented group on the horizon that will help keep the sport relevant for years to come.
Chase Elliott ranks as the No. 1 prospect, and has already created a buzz going into Sunday’s Daytona 500 at the freshly renovated Daytona International Speedway.
Elliott, the 20-year-old son of Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, became the youngest driver to win the Daytona 500 pole Sunday, and all signs point to Chase Elliott being the perfect fit in replacing Gordon in the No. 24 car.
Winning the Daytona 500 pole in his first attempt to qualify for the race should have been a signature moment for Elliott, something that should have been celebrated. The problem, however, is that it didn’t seem as though Elliott enjoyed the moment that much. Did he smile at all? “I mean, I don’t know,” Elliott said. “For me, it’s more for the guys (on the pit crew) to celebrate, not for me. There was nothing special I did to make that happen on Sunday. It’s about those guys, the kind of car, the engine shop, the kind of engine they put in that thing.
“For me, you know, the race is the most important thing. That’s the starting spot. It’s not about where you start, it’s about where you finish. We recognize it’s a very long week ahead. ”
Those are the right things to say, of course, and Elliott is only a 20year-old who is doing his best to handle the pressure he finds himself in by taking over for Gordon and carrying on the Elliott name.
And, in fairness, Elliott hasn’t accomplished much at the Cup level, so maybe it’s too early for him to dab or flash the money sign. He also has to stay true to himself, which is an ultra-focused, ultracompetitive driver who might not be willing to let his emotions show until ... well, he actually wins a race.
As NASCAR’s most popular driver for years — Earnhardt Jr. — said: “I think the one thing that he’s probably worried about is perception. I think when I see a driver make those style of comments, he’s just trying to say the right thing. He doesn’t want to step on anybody’s toes or give anybody the wrong idea.
“He just wants people to understand that he’s committed, he’s a hard worker, and he’s here to accomplish his dreams and goals and win races and championships. He doesn’t want people to lose sight of that or make assumptions that he’s taking things for granted, I guess.
“And he’s young. He doesn’t know how to celebrate yet in terms of, you know, going out and hanging out and partying with his friends. ”
Time will tell as to how Elliott develops as a driver and a personality. But NASCAR doesn’t need another run-of-the-mill driver. There seem to be dozens of Denny Hamlins and Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahnes.
The new wave needs to produce some Gordons, Earnhardts, Stewarts and — even a Kyle Busch would be welcomed. Let’s hope Elliott finds himself in this group.