Chase Elliott hopes to make it a trio of Talladega wins in Sunday’s YellaWood 500. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)
LINCOLN, Ala. — Chase Elliott will turn his focus to Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, aiming to position himself for a strong finish in the YellaWood 500, the second race of the three-race Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
After an 18th-place finish in last weekend’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team are looking to regroup and take advantage of one of the sport’s most unpredictable venues.
Elliott’s struggles in Las Vegas stemmed from a pit road penalty in Stage Two that forced him back into traffic.
“We started our day strong. I thought we had the balance of our No. 9 NAPA Chevy in a really good spot. I was just happy with the way it was driving. Unfortunately, we got a pit road penalty in Stage Two and we just got back in traffic. I needed something pretty different, balance-wise, to be good back there. I probably missed a little bit on my first read and we only had a couple shots to try and help that. Just got behind on adjustments for track position. We’ll regroup and try again next weekend at Talladega (Superspeedway),” Elliott said.
Talladega, the 2.66-mile superspeedway, has always been a place where Elliott thrives. Throughout his Cup Series career, he has combined patient drafting, sharp situational awareness, and opportunistic timing to earn victories and playoff points. He currently holds multiple career wins at Talladega, including a memorable victory in the 2020 series when he managed to survive late-race chaos and position himself perfectly in the final lap. His familiarity with the high-speed pack racing and the nuances of drafting lanes gives him a strategic edge over less experienced drivers.
Despite that experience, Elliott is cautious about predicting a dominant performance in the upcoming YellaWood 500. Superspeedway racing is inherently unpredictable, where even the most experienced drivers can fall victim to a late-race wreck or an untimely push.
“I don’t see anyone being a standout. Everybody’s just really close and whoever gets themselves in a good spot and positions themselves well and has some good fortune, you know, is going to have a good day,” he said.
Elliott’s Cup Series resume includes two career wins at Talladega, alongside multiple top-five and top-ten finishes. These results highlight not only his speed but also his patience and ability to navigate the frenetic pack racing that defines superspeedway events. Success at Talladega often comes down to precise drafting, smart lane choice, and timing, all areas where Elliott has historically excelled, and facets he will tap into as he starts 25th.
This season, Elliott has shown speed and competitiveness in stages but has sometimes struggled with track position and race management in longer runs. His No. 9 team has adjusted setups to maintain balance, but as seen in Las Vegas, minor miscalculations in pit strategy or car adjustments can cost several positions in the tightly packed field. Talladega’s wide lanes and extended drafting opportunities may help mitigate some of these challenges, allowing Elliott to use the momentum of the pack to his advantage.
Hendrick Motorsports has also prepared meticulously for the YellaWood 500. The team has analyzed aerodynamic packages, engine performance, and historical data to ensure the No. 9 Chevrolet remains competitive throughout the race. Crew chief Alan Gustafson and his crew will focus on pit strategy, aiming to position Elliott optimally during critical moments in Stage One, Stage Two, and the final segment.
Chase Elliott may have handling over raw pace in mind for Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)
Elliott’s competitors in the Round of 8 include seasoned drivers like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson and Joey Logano, all capable of high-speed drafting and aggressive maneuvers. On Talladega’s superspeedway, races often feature multiple lead changes, unpredictable wrecks, and strategic positioning, making it imperative for playoff contenders to stay out of trouble while exploiting opportunities when they arise. Elliott’s experience and tactical acumen give him an edge, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
His previous runs at Talladega also illustrate his ability to adapt to changing conditions. The track’s long straights, high banking, and close-quarters racing require drivers to adjust strategies continuously. Decisions on when to push, when to draft, and which lane to follow often determine the final finishing order. Elliott’s career success at the track suggests he understands these dynamics better than most, giving him a potential advantage in the playoff setting.
Talladega also presents a chance for Elliott to rebound after Las Vegas. A strong finish or a stage win would not only provide points toward the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs but also momentum heading into the final race of the Round of 8. For Elliott, the goal is clear: survive the chaos, navigate the pack effectively, and position himself for the late-race push where victories are decided by inches and seconds.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching for Elliott’s drafting partners and the strategies employed by Hendrick Motorsports. Historically, Elliott has aligned with drivers capable of helping him maintain momentum, but at Talladega, alliances are fluid, and partnerships can shift lap by lap. His ability to read these situations in real time will be critical to his success.
Beyond raw speed and strategy, Elliott’s mindset heading into Sunday is a combination of focus and cautious optimism. Talladega is a track where history and experience intersect with unpredictability, and success often rewards those who can manage both. Elliott’s balanced approach to racing, combined with his team’s preparation, positions him as a legitimate contender for the checkered flag.
Stage racing will also play a role in Elliott’s strategy. Collecting playoff points early in each segment may provide a buffer in the event of late-race incidents. Hendrick Motorsports will aim to keep Elliott at the front of the field during Stage One and Stage Two, minimizing the risk of getting caught in accidents while still accruing valuable points for the championship.
The YellaWood 500 is known for dramatic finishes, last-lap passes, and high-speed battles for the lead. Elliott’s skill set aligns well with these challenges, as he can both anticipate the movements of the trucks ahead and react to sudden surges from competitors. His familiarity with superspeedway etiquette — including timing passes and avoiding wrecks — enhances his probability of a strong finish.
As the race approaches, Elliott remains focused on execution rather than prediction.
Chase Elliott hopes to score a timely Talladega win in Sunday’s YellaWood 500 to advance into the Championship 4. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)
“It’s always been a special place. It’s always kind of felt like a second home track to me,” Elliott said in Saturday’s bullpen per a clip posted by Maxwell Donaldson of The Gadsden Times. “It’s pretty close to home. The fans have always been great to me, first hand coming here and certainly to my dad over the years and just our family as a whole. This place has always felt special for that reason and I’ve always enjoyed coming here for that reason as well.”
Fans from the 1980s can testify to Elliott’s observation especially with his father, Bill, winning poles and races at the Alabama speed palace in the red and white No. 9 Coors Melling Ford, particularly his victory in the 1985 Winston 500 and his pole winning speed from 1987 that stands nearly 40 years later.
Sure, the cars may not go as fast as when Elliott’s father and competitors took on this showcase of speed in the mid to late 1980s. Still, the Elliott name is revered at Talladega and the enthusiastic fan support continues to this day to give this race weekend even more excitement even from the driver’s perspective.
“It’s very similar to Daytona in a lot of ways,” he shared. “It’s a speedway but I do think the track, environment, and the energy here from the fans’ perspective and the effort that they put into making it an event every fall… the spring race is here as well, but it does feel like the fall event has a great vibe around it. There’s always a great energy here and I think the fans deserve a lot of credit for that and making for what it is too.”
With the Round of 8 in full swing, the stakes could not be higher. Each position, each lap, and each strategic decision carries significant weight in the playoff points standings. For Chase Elliott, a strong performance at Talladega could set the tone for the final race of the Round of 8 and keep his championship hopes alive. His combination of past success, experience, and measured aggression gives him a legitimate shot at contending for the victory, even amid a tightly packed field of elite competitors.
Sunday’s YellaWood 500 promises a thrilling contest where precision, experience, and a bit of luck will converge. Chase Elliott’s preparation, strategic awareness, and proven talent at superspeedways make him a driver to watch. While the unpredictability of Talladega ensures no guarantees, Elliott’s combination of speed, situational intelligence, and playoff urgency positions him to challenge for a top finish and, potentially, the win.
