Chase Elliott is taking a notably calm and detached stance amid the ongoing debate and criticism surrounding NASCAR’s Next Gen car. While many drivers and fans are vocal about issues like the short track package, safety, and parity, Elliott is choosing not to get involved in the noise. Instead of offering solutions or joining the chorus of complaints, he simply stated, “I don’t know what the right direction is, what would be a fix-all, if even there is a fix-all”.
Elliott acknowledges that no matter what changes NASCAR makes-whether it’s about tires, race formats, or rules-someone will always find something to complain about. He remarked, “No matter what we have, someone was going to complain about something.” For him, the constant debate and criticism are just part of the job, and he prefers to focus on what he can control: showing up each week and making the most of whatever rules package is in place.
This laid-back attitude isn’t new for Elliott. He’s previously brushed off controversies, such as the Martinsville option tire drama and even high-profile feuds, by refusing to get dragged into unproductive arguments. Reflecting on his approach, Elliott said, “I just try really hard not to get in weeds with the rest of it anymore because it’s not productive, it’s not a good use of our time, and my time. It’s not a good use of our time.”
As Elliott returns to Texas Motor Speedway, he’s looking to end a 37-race winless streak. Despite the lack of recent victories, he’s been remarkably consistent, finishing inside the top 20 in every race this season and sitting fourth in the standings. Sporting a special gold paint scheme to celebrate 100 years of NAPA Auto Parts, Elliott is motivated to get back to victory lane, stating, “We want more. I think we’re capable of more. And we just have high expectations. We are proud of those good runs that we’ve had, but we know that there’s more in the tank.”
In summary, while the NASCAR world debates and argues over the Next Gen car’s future, Chase Elliott is keeping his focus on racing and improvement, tuning out the drama and letting his results speak for themselves.
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