Chase Elliott’s 2025 season was not his best, but it had good potential for a title run. His Atlanta win in the summer locked his playoff spot early. But the postseason didn’t go easy on him, especially after an embarrassing DNF at Talladega. Heading into Martinsville, Elliott entered with a do-or-die situation, but even his solid third-place finish wasn’t enough to reach the Championship 4. Post-race, he kept it real: “We just weren’t quite good enough.”

But this elimination hit hard for a fan-favorite driver who’s been a champion before. Missing his title chance, Elliott knows the offseason is going to feel heavy with all the things he could’ve done differently in the playoffs. But with 2026 on the horizon, he realizes how he needs to change his approach.

Chase Elliott maps out 2026 pa

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