CONCORD, N.C. – It’s been a busy week for Chase Elliott off the track.
After unveiling his No. 9 UniFirst Throwback Chevrolet for Darlington Raceway’s throwback event, Elliott sat down with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on "The Dale Jr. Download" to discuss several topics relating to the NASCAR Cup Series.
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At the beginning of the episode, Earnhardt Jr. and Elliott talked about their memories related to the paint scheme. As a high schooler at the time, Elliott remembers the 2014 DAYTONA 500 well. Since the race was affected by rain, the end of the race was much later than advertised. On social media on Wednesday morning, Elliott shared the tardy slip he received to prove he did not make it to class on time the following morning.
"It is honestly a huge honor for me," Elliott said of being able to honor Earnhardt Jr., who he drove for from 2014-15 and won the '14 championship at Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports. "I remember that race like it was yesterday. Like I told you out there (when the car was revealed), I didn't know you then as well as I know you now. For me, that is what makes it really cool just because I could tell just what it meant to you at that point in time and it was a really big deal."
Elliott discussed how the partnership with UniFirst made this paint scheme possible. The car's colors very closely resemble Earnhardt Jr.'s from the 2014 crown jewel victory, something that did not go unnoticed by either of them.
"It's a great honor and I'm excited about it," Elliott said. "As you mentioned, UniFirst obviously bought in 100% and they have to to do these things right. I think they hit a home run. I hope it goes fast. That would be the cherry on top for sure."
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Earnhardt Jr. was very appreciative to be honored with a throwback scheme on the car of the 2020 Cup Series champion.
"Amazing job on the car. The design. Everything is in the right place. It looks perfect," Earnhardt Jr. told Elliott. Thank you very much. I appreciate everybody at Hendrick (Motorsports) for being behind this. I'm honored, flattered and can't wait to see this race at Darlington (Raceway)."
The full episode includes Elliott's thoughts on last weekend's race at Bristol Motor Speedway (where he finished eighth), how he got into aviation, the broken leg he suffered in 2023 and his recovery from that injury, adapting to the Next Gen car, racing at the grassroots level and more. You can check out the entire conversation here.
