Chase Elliot has achieved a lot in his relatively young NASCAR career.
He became the third-youngest driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in 2020. Since then he has made it to the Championship 4 race in all the preceding seasons. Additionally, he has 18 Cup wins.
The Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 driver is not only successful in the racing field but he is also very popular among NASCAR fans as he has won the last five editions of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award.
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However, despite the success and the face, something seems to be off for the 27-year-old driver. One fan on Twitter came up with the observation that the HMS No. 9 driver is lacking in passion on tracks and interviews this season. He tweeted:
“Does Chase Elliott even want to still race? I’m not seeing the passion this year on track or in interviews from him. Makes it tough and honestly not that fun to be a 9 fan lately.”
Many fans agreed with his observation and one even suggested that Elliott might retire early like Carl Edwards. The fan tweeted:
“I’ve said this before… i know it’s unlikely, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Chase pulls a Carl Edwards and says I’m out. It just doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it at times. I know I could be completely wrong, but something just seems off. This goes back to last year too.”
Some pointed out that this could be because of Kyle Larson taking the limelight in the team.
Does Chase Elliott even want to still race?
I’m not seeing the passion this year on track or in interviews from him.
Makes it tough and honestly not that fun to be a #9 fan lately. 🤷🏻♂️
— Buddy (@Bamabuddy5) May 31, 2023
I’ve said this before… i know it’s unlikely, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Chase pulls a Carl Edwards and says I’m out.
It just doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it at times. I know I could be completely wrong, but something just seems off. This goes back to last year too🤷♂️ https://t.co/WgnCrKjY9M
— Tim Wilson (@_timwilson_) May 31, 2023
Larson joining HMS stole a lot of Elliott's thunder, and he is no longer top dog there.
A move to SHR would be REALLY exciting. Gives SHR a Champion to replace Harvick, and Chase can work at rebuilding a struggling organization like Brad at RFK and Kyle at RCR.
— Swervin³² (@Swervin32_) June 1, 2023
From my perspective this somewhat of an attitude change comes from the fact from 2017-2020 chase was the hms top dog, then Larson showed up in 2021 and stole his thunder and now your seeing Byron start to emerge as the potential superstar he was proclaimed to be
— SlickBillByron (@SlickByron) June 1, 2023
I started to kinda get this feeling in the post season last year. He really just doesn’t show the joy at times. To his credit though the team hasn’t really been the 9 team we know since last summer. Hoping things change after a little break.
— Zachary Forester (@ZacharyForeste2) May 31, 2023
It has been a difficult season for Elliott, as he missed six races due to the injury he suffered in a snowboarding accident. Additionally, he will serve a one-race ban for deliberately wrecking Denny Hamlin at Coco-Cola 600.