CONCORD, N.C. – There’s one thing Chase Elliott knows for certain – his fans have his back.
For the third consecutive year, Elliott advanced to the NASCAR All-Star Race on the strength of the fan vote.
“I wish so bad that I could race my way into this dang race,” the driver said after competing in the Open. “But nonetheless, I appreciate everybody’s support at home. I hate having to count on you guys, but it’s an honor to have received this award for three years in a row.”
He was once again close to earning a spot in the All-Star Race by winning a stage in the Open, but he ultimately came in third, third and second in the three segments.
It meant a lot to the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that the fan vote put him in the $1 million main event.
“I’m very appreciative of all the fans that voted for me again this year,” he said. “Hopefully, this time next year we will be in the big show and won’t have to worry about it.”
His goal in the All-Star Race, he said, was to “make all the folks who voted for me tonight proud.”
And he hopes he did just that after turning in a fifth-place finish to lead his Hendrick Motorsports teammates to the checkered flag.
“I’m proud of our night,” he said. “To be able to come from last to fifth and I get the fan vote and end up coming home with a top-five wasn’t all bad.”