Chase Elliott, Is 2025 the Year He Finally Wins the Daytona 500 After 10 Years of Disappointment

The Daytona 500 is the crown jewel of NASCAR, the race that all drivers dream of winning. It’s the season opener, the race that sets the tone for the year ahead, and the one that signifies the start of the sport’s biggest and most prestigious event. For drivers, conquering the Daytona 500 is more than just a victory—it’s a statement, a mark of excellence. However, for Chase Elliott, the 2025 season brings a significant question to the forefront: Could this be the year he finally wins the Daytona 500 after 10 years of near-misses and heartbreak?

Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, has long been one of the sport’s most talented and beloved drivers. Throughout his career, he’s enjoyed tremendous success, including a 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship and multiple wins on some of the sport’s biggest stages. But despite his impressive accomplishments, the Daytona 500 has proven to be an elusive prize. Will 2025 finally be the year that Elliott takes the checkered flag at Daytona and cements his legacy as one of NASCAR’s all-time greats?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Chase Elliott’s past struggles in the Daytona 500, what he needs to do to finally capture that elusive victory, and the factors that could make 2025 the year he conquers the “Great American Race.”

Chase Elliott’s Daytona 500 Journey: A History of Near Misses

When Chase Elliott made his Daytona 500 debut in 2016, expectations were high. The son of the iconic Bill Elliott had already shown great promise in NASCAR, winning the 2016 Rookie of the Year award and securing his place in the sport’s elite ranks. But despite all the talent and potential, the Daytona 500 has proven to be a race that Elliott just couldn’t seem to crack.

Over the years, Elliott has come incredibly close to winning the Daytona 500. He’s had strong runs, been in position to take the lead, and has been a contender on multiple occasions. Yet, each time, something has gone wrong—whether it was bad luck, the unpredictability of superspeedway racing, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

2016: A Promising Debut: Elliott’s first Daytona 500 was a highly anticipated event. He had already made a name for himself as a young, talented driver, and there was plenty of excitement around his potential. Elliott finished 14th in his debut, not a terrible result but far from the victory fans were hoping for. The race was just the beginning of his long chase for a Daytona 500 win.

2017: Near Victory, Heartbreak: In 2017, Chase Elliott had his most heartbreaking near-miss. After dominating much of the race and being in contention in the final laps, Elliott found himself in a frustrating second-place finish behind Kurt Busch. It was the closest he had come to winning the Daytona 500, and the disappointment was palpable.

2018: Another Top Finish: In 2018, Elliott finished in 5th place, a solid performance but still no cigar. While he continued to show that he had the skills to win, Daytona’s unpredictability kept him from securing that first victory.

2019: Another disappointment: Once again, Elliott was in the mix for the win in 2019, but late-race incidents and a series of unfortunate events saw him finish 14th. It was another frustrating chapter in his Daytona 500 journey.

2020: The 2020 Champion Still Without Daytona Glory: Despite winning the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and racking up multiple wins, the Daytona 500 was still a race that eluded Elliott. Although he had a strong car, he couldn’t seem to get the right break, finishing 14th once again.

2021 and Beyond: Close But Not Close Enough In 2021 and 2022, Elliott continued to show his prowess in the sport, but the Daytona 500 remained one of the few trophies missing from his collection. In 2021, he finished 2nd once again, and in 2022, he was involved in a crash that ended his hopes early.

While Chase Elliott’s performances at Daytona have been impressive, they have often ended in disappointment. Despite leading laps and contending for the win, something has always stood in his way.

Why 2025 Could Be Chase Elliott’s Year

As we head into the 2025 NASCAR season, Chase Elliott is more motivated than ever to finally win the Daytona 500. The question is: can he break the curse and claim victory in this prestigious event?

Here are some of the reasons why 2025 could be the year Elliott finally takes the checkered flag at Daytona:

Experience and Consistency: Chase Elliott is one of the most consistent drivers in NASCAR today, with years of experience at superspeedway racing. Over the years, he has learned valuable lessons about the nuances of racing on tracks like Daytona and Talladega. His ability to read the race, position himself well, and avoid major mistakes has only improved. By 2025, Elliott will have honed his skills even further, giving him a greater chance of success when it matters most.

Team Support: Elliott is driving for Hendrick Motorsports, one of the top teams in NASCAR. Hendrick’s cars have consistently been strong at Daytona, and the team’s ability to provide top-notch support in terms of both engineering and strategy cannot be overstated. With strong teammates like William Byron and Alex Bowman, Elliott has the support he needs to work together and make the most of superspeedway races. Hendrick Motorsports’ expertise in drafting and strategy will play a crucial role in positioning Elliott for a potential win in 2025.

Superspeedway Expertise: Elliott has long been considered one of the best drivers on superspeedway tracks, where racing is often unpredictable and chaos can strike at any moment. His ability to navigate tight packs of cars, draft efficiently, and remain calm under pressure will be key assets in the Daytona 500. Although he hasn’t been able to seal the deal in the past, Elliott’s performance at Superspeedways has been consistently strong, making him a top contender for the win.

The Desire to Win: Chase Elliott’s hunger for the Daytona 500 victory has only intensified over the years. As a driver who has won multiple prestigious races, including the 2020 Cup Series Championship, there is no race more important to him than the Daytona 500. His passion for the sport and his deep desire to claim the win at this race could be the extra motivation he needs to overcome the hurdles that have stood in his way for the past decade.

A New Era of NASCAR: The NASCAR Cup Series continues to evolve, with new car designs, rule changes, and strategy shifts affecting the race landscape. In 2025, Elliott will have the chance to take advantage of these changes, adapting his strategy and performance to suit the evolving nature of the sport. New opportunities, new challenges, and fresh competition may provide the perfect storm for him to secure the Daytona 500 victory.

The Competition: A Tough Field of Contenders

Of course, Elliott’s chances at winning the Daytona 500 in 2025 aren’t guaranteed, as he’ll face stiff competition from a talented field of drivers. From veterans like Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick to rising stars like Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney, the race for Daytona supremacy will be fierce.

However, Elliott has the skills, team support, and determination to put himself in contention. While past years have seen his dreams dashed by unpredictable circumstances, 2025 could be the year when the stars align for the driver of the #9 car.

Conclusion: Can Chase Elliott Finally Win the Daytona 500 in 2025?

Chase Elliott’s quest to win the Daytona 500 has been a long and challenging one, filled with heartbreak, frustration, and a string of near-misses. But as the 2025 NASCAR season unfolds, it’s clear that Elliott has the experience, skill, and determination to finally conquer the “Great American Race.” With the right combination of strategy, teamwork, and racing luck, this could very well be the year that Elliott silences the critics and joins the ranks of Daytona 500 winners.

Only time will tell if 2025 is Chase Elliott’s year, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Elliott is never one to give up on his dream. The Daytona 500 is a race that defines careers, and Elliott will continue to give it his all in the pursuit of NASCAR’s most coveted victory. Could 2025 be the year he finally takes his place in Daytona history? Fans certainly hope so, and the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in Elliott’s remarkable career.