CONCORD, N.C. -- Chase Elliott’s win Sunday not only gave Hendrick Motorsports its record-extending 13th NASCAR Cup Series title but earned the organization’s engine department’s its 22nd championship.
Elliott worked his way to the front of the pack during Stage 1 of Sunday’s event at Phoenix Raceway and rode inside the top three for the majority of the race. He led for a whopping 153 laps, including the final 42, of the 312-lap race.
"The engineers and technicians we have excel in their ability to work as a team to solve problems and optimize our systems," said Jim Wall, Hendrick Motorsports' engineering director. "Our team is at its very best when the chips are down and the pressure is on. We are always working as a team on ways to improve our powertrain’s performance on the track."
In the NASCAR national series, 15 of those engines were used in the Cup Series. Overall, the Hendrick Motorsports engines have been used in 437 wins across the NASCAR National Series, including 308 Cup Series wins. The win at Phoenix also marked Chevrolet’s 32nd Cup Series championship.
“Congratulations to Chase Elliott, Alan Gustafson and the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1 1LE team on winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance and motorsports. “Chase did an amazing job of driving through the field to get to the lead. He has consistently put himself in a position to race up front and his never-give-up approach made a difference once again.
“We are proud that Chase is the 32nd Chevrolet Driver’s Champion in the Cup Series.”
Hendrick Motorsports’ engines were used in back-to-back titles for the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2017 and 2018. William Byron secured the 2017 championship using a Hendrick Motorsports engine before he was signed on to the organization.
The win at Phoenix also marked Chevrolet’s 32nd Cup Series championship. Team owner Rick Hendrick and Chevrolet have been working together for over 37 years.
"This technical team is the best group I have ever had the privilege of working with," Wall said. "They are so very smart. More importantly, they are wonderful people to work with and to know as friends. I am so proud of their commitment to give Mr. Hendrick their very best effort, and I see it in their work each and every day."