Chase Elliott and No. 9 Team Gaining Momentum with Steady Performances and Strong Consistency
In the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team are quietly but confidently building a solid campaign marked by consistent runs, steady points accumulation, and rising momentum. The 2020 Cup Series champion may not be grabbing headlines every week, but his form is speaking volumes about the long-term goals of the team.
Elliott, known for his smooth driving style and strategic racing IQ, has been finishing inside the top 10 in multiple consecutive races, showing that the No. 9 Chevrolet is inching closer to victory lane. While a win has eluded them so far this season, the team’s ability to avoid mistakes and capitalize on late-race opportunities has kept them comfortably inside the playoff picture.
Crew chief Alan Gustafson praised the team’s current rhythm, stating, “I’m happy with the consistency. That’s what we’ve been working toward. We’re not missing big on anything. We’re executing, staying in the fight, and giving ourselves a shot each week.” His comments highlight the strategic shift to long-term performance rather than short bursts of success.
This renewed focus comes after a challenging 2023 season where Elliott missed races due to injury and struggled to find the groove that once made him one of the sport’s most dominant forces. Now, in 2025, there’s a sense that both driver and team are back in sync, methodically climbing toward peak form.
Fans and analysts alike have noticed the improvement. NASCAR insider analysts have pointed to the team’s efficiency on pit road, smart race-day calls, and consistent speed during practice sessions as indicators that a breakthrough win could come sooner rather than later.
Elliott remains patient and focused. “We’re building,” he said after a recent top-five finish. “The playoffs are what matter most. We’re doing what we need to do now so we can be in position to make a deep run later.” That mindset, paired with the veteran leadership of Gustafson, is creating a formula that could prove dangerous for the competition.
As the season progresses, the No. 9 team looks poised to strike at just the right moment. With strong finishes and valuable stage points becoming routine, the foundation is being laid for a championship-contending summer and fall. If their upward trend continues, Chase Elliott may soon return to the winner’s circle—and perhaps even championship contention.
