Chase Elliott Genuinely Proud of No. 9 Team’s Improved Direction in 2024 NASCAR Season: A New Era of Confidence and Performance for Hendrick Motorsports
As the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season continues to unfold, Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, is speaking out with a renewed sense of pride and optimism about his team’s progress and the direction they’ve taken since the start of the year. After a challenging 2023 campaign, which saw a mix of inconsistencies and missed opportunities, Elliott and his crew have managed to make significant strides in both performance and morale. The driver, who has long been one of the sport’s most talented and popular figures, expressed his genuine satisfaction with the improvement of the No. 9 team’s overall results and the work ethic that has helped propel them forward.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview, Elliott acknowledged the uphill battle his team faced in the previous season, where both on-track performance and technical challenges proved to be significant obstacles. However, he was quick to note that those struggles were not without lessons, and those lessons have been pivotal in shaping the team’s newfound sense of direction.
“I think we’ve done a lot of work in the offseason, and it’s really paying off,” Elliott explained. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’m genuinely proud of how hard the team has worked to get better. We’ve made some solid changes, and I think we’re in a much better place now compared to where we were last year.”
Elliott’s words are reflective of the larger shift within Hendrick Motorsports, a team that has long been considered a powerhouse in NASCAR but has faced increased competition in recent years from both veteran organizations and new contenders. While the legendary team owner Rick Hendrick and crew chief Alan Gustafson have always commanded respect, the challenges of the modern NASCAR landscape are ever-evolving. Elliott noted that the competitive nature of the sport requires continuous adaptation, and it’s clear that the No. 9 team has embraced this challenge head-on.
In 2024, Elliott has already shown remarkable consistency on the track, securing solid finishes and battling for wins at some of NASCAR’s most iconic venues. His performance at the Daytona 500 and early road course races demonstrated a clear upward trajectory, one that hasn’t been lost on team members, fans, or analysts. Elliott’s new-found confidence behind the wheel is backed by what he describes as a “refreshing” new approach to their setups, tire management, and race strategy.
“We’ve spent a lot of time refining our cars, getting the feedback from each race, and constantly working on making our setups more adaptable to the different tracks we race on,” Elliott said. “There’s a lot more confidence now when we go into a race weekend. I’m just excited for what’s ahead.”
Elliott’s satisfaction with the team’s direction is also rooted in the renewed sense of unity within the No. 9 camp. The driver praised the collaborative effort of his crew, engineers, and the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization for rallying together during a time of need. The momentum, according to Elliott, has fostered a renewed energy within the garage.
“At the end of the day, it’s about being a team,” Elliott said. “When everyone is working toward the same goal, it makes the whole process more enjoyable and successful. We’re definitely in a better spot than we were last year, and it feels good to see all the hard work paying off.”
As the season progresses, Elliott’s confidence and pride in his team’s direction are evident. With a solid foundation now in place, the No. 9 team looks to build on their early success and make a strong push for a championship run. For Chase Elliott, it’s not just about winning races, but about knowing that the direction they’re headed is one of sustainable growth and success.
