Chase Elliott Remains an Uncertain Contender for the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs With a drab streak plaguing his stats, Chase Elliott drums up worries in the NASCAR community about his pending breakthrough.

“I think that if you’re worried about barely getting into the playoffs, I think you have some work to do.” Chase Elliott said these words ahead of the Nashville race. The Hendrick Motorsports driver underwent several near misses and pit stop miscues in the previous races, but was optimistic. However, even the Cracker Barrel 400 went by without a whimper, as the No. 9 Chevy faded to an average 15th-place finish.

All the evidence points to a slow decline in performance for the 2020 Cup Series Champion. This concerning situation has set off worrisome ripples in the NASCAR community. Yet the slim slivers of hope do give some encouragement in the chaos.

A curtain of concern falls on Chase Elliott

On February 2nd, 2025, Chase Elliott started off the Cup Series season with a bang. He led 171