CONCORD, N.C. – When the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season came to a close, so did Chase Elliott’s time in the No. 24 Chevrolet SS.
As Elliott prepares to transition to the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, he took some time to reflect on his time with the iconic number.
“I would’ve loved to have gotten a win in that car, in that number,” Elliott said of the No. 24. “It would’ve been special to me to do it.”
Although Elliott never made it to Victory Lane in the No. 24, he still managed to create some impressive stats. The 22-year-old racked up three pole awards, 22 top-five finishes and 38 top-10s in just two years of racing. He looks forward to adding to his accomplishments in a number that feels like home.
“The (No.) 9 fits me,” Elliott said. “It’s a good fit for me. It kind of feels like home, as I’ve said a lot over the past few months.”
Elliott has a special connection to the No. 9 race car. His father, Hall of Famer and 1988 NASCAR Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, raced the number. And as the younger Elliott matriculated through the different levels of racing, he did the same.
“I think from a fan’s perspective or anybody who is involved in my career at all kind of identifies me with that number,” he explained. “It’s a fun change, something that everybody can kind of get behind.”
In 2018, William Byron will take over the reigns of the No. 24 Chevy. And Elliott believes the car he piloted for two years will be in good hands.
“I think William’s going to do a good job,” he said. “He’s obviously proved that he’s not here to mess around with his performance this season in the XFINITY Series with the championship. The way he goes about his business, I think, is a very good fit for that car.”