CONCORD, N.C. – Sunday’s race at Phoenix marks the first time that Chase Elliott has returned since winning his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Elliott put together two impressive runs in 2020, starting pole position, He started from the pole position in the spring race and the rear the the championship race. While he led 93 laps en route to a seventh-place finish last spring, Elliott was a master on the track in November, weaving through traffic and leading for 153 laps to earn his first NASCAR Cup Series title.
“(I’m) definitely looking forward to getting back to Phoenix, last trip was something I’ll never forget,” Elliott said. “But, obviously, eyes forward now and just thinking what we need to do to be fast and have our car driving like it needs to be.”
This season, Elliott has run strong through the first four races, capturing a top-five finish, a top-10 and leading for 73 laps. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native also has a win, three top-five finishes and six top-10s at Phoenix Raceway.
With the momentum gained from a hot start to the 2021 Cup Series season and a history of strong showings at Phoenix, Elliott will try to cruise his No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE into victory lane at the Avondale, Arizona, venue.
“I hope we can have a good run but also learn a lot because you want to be prepared if you are in the final four for the end of the season,” Elliott said.
Be sure to tune in to see Elliott and the rest of the Hendrick Motorsports drivers take on Phoenix Raceway this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.