With only three races left on the NASCAR Nationwide Series slate, Chase Elliott is in prime position to capture its championship.
The No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS driver currently sits atop the Nationwide Series standings, 42 points ahead of his JR Motorsports teammate Regan Smith. He will attempt to further his advantage in Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway (3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN 2) – the same place at which he earned his first victory in April.
“It’s been awhile since we last visited Texas Motor Speedway, but the last time was a special moment for the NAPA AUTO PARTS team,” Elliott said. “Winning for the first time together is a moment I’ll never forget – it was awesome.”
Elliott dominated the April event, leading a race-high 47 laps on his way to the checkered flag. At 18 years, four months and seven days, he became the second-youngest driver to ever win a Nationwide race.
With a victory this weekend, Elliott would become the first Sunoco Rookie to ever sweep Texas Motor Speedway. He has fared well at similar tracks this season, posting two wins, five top fives, and eight top 10s in 10 starts at 1.5-mile courses.
Though mathematically impossible to occur this weekend at Texas, if Elliott can clinch the series title at Phoenix or Homestead, he would become the youngest driver and first Sunoco Rookie to ever win a NASCAR national series championship.
“We have three races left in what’s been an exciting year, but we have to stay focused and continue to work together as a team,” Elliott said. “We look to put together a better run than we did in the spring, bringing us one step closer to our goal.”
- NASCAR WIRE: Weekend Preview: Talladega Superspeedway - April 18, 2024
- Journey back to the top has brought Elliott and the No. 9 team closer - April 16, 2024
- Chase Elliott wins in double overtime, snaps 42-race winless streak at Texas - April 15, 2024