Chase Elliott Admits Road Course Racing Is a “Different Book” for Him in the Next-Gen Era

Hendrick Motorsports veteran Chase Elliott has shared his thoughts his massive raod course racing struggles in the Next-Gen era.

Chase Elliott Admits Road Course Racing Is a “Different Book” for Him in the Next-Gen Era

Chase Elliott (via Hendrickmotorsports.com)

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Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen has established himself as the best road course racer on the grid in the last two years. But before him, the “king of road course” moniker belonged to Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. With seven wins to his name, before the start of the Next-Gen era he was on another level.

But since the 7th Gen car was introduced, he hasn’t won a single race from 18 starts, and going into this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen, where he secured his maiden road course win back in 2018, he is looking for redemption. Chase Elliott shared his thoughts on how the non-oval racing has changed significantly for him in the new era.

He highlighted how before the start of the current era, he and his team build a solid foundation with solid runs in 2018-19 seasons. Even in races they lose, they were a significant competitor and were using every opportunity they got to make their package better. But once the new season started, they were back in drawing board.

We had a really solid foundation, and prior to our success here in ’18 and ’19, it wasn’t like we were bad. We might not have won, but we were really solid before that. And, yeah, had a package, kept building on it, got better. That was all with the old car. Since the new car came in, it’s been totally different, truthfully.

Chase Elliott said via Speedway Digest.

He learned fast that securing wins, especially in the road courses is going to be a tough job and even an entirely different chapter. Elliott failed to match the likes SVG, William Byron and Tyler Reddick, who stepped up on road courses in the new era. But with Glen being a solid track for him, he is looking forward to a chance at redemption.

The success in this new car, it’s not even a different chapter, it’s like a different book. So, I wouldn’t even compare that if it were me. I think it’s just kind of happenstance that we’ve fired off well. I think all of us get around here pretty good, so that certainly helps as you come into a new car.

Chase Elliott added.

Chase Elliott’s crew chief shares the No:9 team’s goals for 2025

Hendrick Motorsports’ No:9 team crew chief Alan Gustafson has been one of the most criticized crew leaders in the garage, due to his risky calls that cost them wins. But the conservative approach has paid out, with Elliott being front runners for the regular season championship.

Chase Elliot and Alan Gustafson
Chase Elliot and Alan Gustafson (via IMAGO)

So, with three more races before the playoffs, Alan Gustafson asserted that he and his team want not just the second Next-Gen era regular season championship, but also the wants to win more races. He wants then to start it with competing for victory at Glen.

We obviously want to win the regular season but more importantly than that, we want to win some races. I’m excited about Watkins Glen. It’s a great track for us and I really enjoy road course racing in general and I love racing up there, so, we’re excited to get up there and compete for the win.

Alan Gustafson told HendrickMotorsports.com.

He is not only focussed on the Glen weekend, but is also looking forward to the penultimate regular season race at Richmond Raceway. It’s a track everyone in the No:9 Chevy team enjoys and they have some big upgrades that might earn them the win. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the veteran racer in the coming to races and Daytona, before playoff starts.

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