Chase Elliott is the most overrated driver in NASCAR. He only wins because of his dad’s legacy, not because of his actual skill on the track.

Chase Elliott is one of the biggest names in NASCAR today. With a massive fan base, a Cup Series championship, and numerous race wins, he is often considered among the sport’s elite. However, there’s a growing argument that Elliott is not as great as his record suggests. Many critics believe that his success is largely due to his father’s legacy rather than his own talent. Is Chase Elliott truly one of the best in NASCAR, or is he the most overrated driver of his generation? Let’s break it down.

The Power of the Elliott Name

Chase Elliott was born into NASCAR royalty. His father, Bill Elliott, is a Hall of Fame driver with a Daytona 500 victory and a Most Popular Driver Award that he won a record 16 times. Chase, from an early age, had the advantage of a household name that opened doors other young drivers could only dream of.

This name recognition alone gave him a significant boost in his career. Sponsorship opportunities flowed more easily, teams were more willing to take a chance on him, and media outlets provided more coverage than they would for an unknown up-and-coming driver. If he had been Chase Smith instead of Chase Elliott, would he have had the same opportunities? Many believe the answer is a resounding no.

Early NASCAR Success: Earned or Given?

Chase Elliott’s rise through the ranks seemed almost too smooth. After winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship in 2014, he was quickly given a ride with Hendrick Motorsports, replacing the legendary Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 car. That in itself was a bold move—one of the most iconic rides in the sport handed over to a relatively unproven driver.

Many other drivers had to grind their way through lesser teams, proving their worth before getting a shot with a top-tier team. Chase, on the other hand, was given the golden opportunity right out of the gate. While he showed promise early in his Cup career, it took him almost 100 races to secure his first victory—far longer than many of his contemporaries who didn’t have the same level of equipment.

The Hendrick Motorsports Factor

One of the biggest arguments against Elliott’s supposed greatness is that he drives for the best team in the sport: Hendrick Motorsports. With some of the fastest cars, best crew chiefs, and top engineers in NASCAR, Hendrick drivers have a significant advantage.

Hendrick Motorsports has been home to legends like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. When you’re in top-tier equipment, the expectation is that you should be winning multiple races a year. Yet, there have been seasons where Elliott underperformed despite having one of the best cars on the track. His 2023 season, for example, was disappointing, as he failed to win a single race in the regular season and missed the playoffs entirely due to a combination of poor performances and a suspension for wrecking Denny Hamlin at Charlotte.

The Popularity vs. Performance Debate

One undeniable fact about Chase Elliott is his popularity. He has won the Most Popular Driver Award every year since Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired. But does popularity equal greatness?

There have been many drivers in NASCAR history who were fan favorites but never truly among the best on the track. Dale Earnhardt Jr., for example, was incredibly popular but didn’t live up to the on-track success of his father. The same argument could be made for Elliott—he’s adored by fans, but is he really performing at a level that justifies his hype?

His biggest supporters argue that he won the 2020 Cup Series Championship, but even that win has its critics. The playoff format allowed him to clinch the title with a single strong performance in the final race at Phoenix, rather than demonstrating season-long dominance like champions of the past. If NASCAR still had the old points system, would he have won that title at all?

The Road Course Specialist Narrative

One area where Elliott has been considered elite is road course racing. Early in his career, he was hailed as the next road course king, following in the footsteps of Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. He won multiple road course races at Watkins Glen, the Charlotte Roval, and Circuit of the Americas, cementing his reputation as one of the best in the series on those tracks.

However, this reputation has faded in recent years. As NASCAR added more road courses to the schedule, more drivers have stepped up, and Elliott no longer dominates these races like he once did. He has struggled against competitors like Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, and Christopher Bell, all of whom have proven to be just as strong, if not better, on these tracks.

Teammates Outshining Him

One of the most telling signs that Elliott may be overrated is how his teammates have performed in comparison. Since his promotion to Hendrick Motorsports, he has often been outperformed by his teammates, especially in recent years.

Kyle Larson, who joined Hendrick in 2021, immediately established himself as the team’s best driver, winning 10 races and the championship that same year. Even William Byron, once considered the fourth-best driver at Hendrick, has improved significantly and now looks like a more consistent winner than Elliott.

If Chase Elliott were truly the best driver at Hendrick, shouldn’t he be the one setting the standard? Instead, he seems to have fallen behind while others have risen to the occasion.

The Future: Will Elliott Prove the Doubters Wrong?

At just 28 years old, Chase Elliott still has plenty of time to change the narrative surrounding his career. He could silence his critics by winning another championship, proving he can win consistently on different types of tracks, and leading Hendrick Motorsports rather than being carried by the team’s resources.

However, as it stands today, the argument that Elliott is overrated holds weight. His father’s legacy gave him opportunities others didn’t have, his success has been aided by being in top-tier equipment, and his actual on-track performance hasn’t consistently lived up to the hype. Until he truly dominates the sport, the debate over whether he’s the most overrated driver in NASCAR will continue.

What do you think? Is Chase Elliott truly one of NASCAR’s best, or is he riding on his last name and the strength of his team?