LOS ANGELES – Before making the trip from L.A. to Chicago for this weekend’s race, Chase Elliott joined The Rich Eisen Show to discuss everything from growing up in racing to college football to competing in his first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
The Rookie of the Year contender said he’s watched the Chase format on television but is excited to be able to take part in it this year.
“You have to recognize, hey, it is something new, something different, but you’re also still trying to do the same things you’ve been doing your whole life racing,” Elliott said of his mindset going into the playoff format. “We’re still turning left and trying to go fast so I think keeping it in perspective is key.”
And while the 20-year-old said he’s just going to take it one race at a time during these final 10 events, a championship in his rookie year would mean the world.
"There’s a lot of people that go into a race team and all the things that go on but it would be huge. I don’t really know how to put that into words but for us, we just have to go and treat it like every other weekend and take it a week at a time and not get ahead of yourself.”
To hear more from Elliott, take a look at the video above.