CONCORD, N.C. -- Chase Elliott had a tall task ahead of him in 2016.
With just five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts under his belt, he climbed behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet SS with big shoes to fill in his rookie campaign.
But teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. never doubted that the 20-year-old would find early success.
“I don't think you get hired by a team like (Hendrick Motorsports) unless you're good," Earnhardt said. "I didn't expect him to struggle."
He pointed to Elliott's array of experience from late model cars through to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series, and even his limited Cup run in 2015.
"He's got a lot of laps under his belt and he's been to a lot of high-pressure situations," Earnhardt said. "He's been in so many scenarios if you look at his career over the last four or five years. He's been through it all."
In 2014, Elliott won the NASCAR XFINITY Series title to become the youngest champion in series history (18 years, 11 months and 18 days). He became the first competitor in any NASCAR national series to win a championship, rookie of the year and most popular driver honors in the same season.
And now in his first full-time campaign in the Sprint Cup Series, Elliott has already earned 10 top-10 finishes -- including one in each of the past five races.
"Just a perfect storm situation for Chase, and he's doing a great job."
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Only two drivers in the series have more top-10s -- Kevin Harvick with 11 and Kurt Busch with 12 -- and both are former Cup champions. Among active drivers, his 10 top-10 finishes are tied with teammate Jimmie Johnson for the most top-10 finishes through the first 14 races of a rookie season.
In addition, Elliott has earned five top-five finishes and two pole positions -- including becoming the youngest Daytona 500 pole-sitter in history. He leads the 2016 Rookie of the Year standings entering this weekend's even at Michigan International Speedway and is seventh in the overall season standings.
And once again, Earnhardt is not surprised.
"He's certainly learned a ton, got a real good attitude, really calm, doesn't get excited about much, and he's got a really, really good crew chief (Alan Gustafson), a guy that I think really is wrapping his arms around the idea working with Chase and grooming Chase," he said.
"The team is doing an amazing job. They were always fast with Jeff (Gordon), and I think the transition couldn't have been better. Jeff really set that team up for the transition and all that where it's so smooth. Just a perfect storm situation for Chase, and he's doing a great job. He's become a great teammate.”