CONCORD, N.C. -- Chase Elliott’s track record at Talladega Superspeedway is like most drivers' experiences on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit: filled with many ups and downs. The current Cup champion won at Talladega in April 2019 and has three top-five finishes in 10 starts but also has been in three accidents at the venue.
Because of this, the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE knows better than to be too comfortable at the Alabama track. Elliott admitted how a driver finishes at Talladega can depend on wild circumstances.
“There’s no way of really knowing the right place to be at the right time all the time," he explained. "I feel like there are guys that seem to have a better feel for it than others and know when to be in certain positions and know when something doesn’t feel right. I’ve tried to learn that over the years.”
Perhaps the biggest takeaway Elliott has learned during his Cup Series visits to Talladega is to not be impulsive and to communicate more than ever with his crew chief and spotter. While it’s not always possible to avoid a superspeedway accident, Elliott said keeping a level head is key.
“Having patience and taking runs when you have the opportunity,” Elliott said of running well at Talladega. “I also think what makes they guys who are really good at those tracks great is that they know when to quit putting up a fight, when to not throw that big block, knowing they might have another opportunity on the back end rather than crashing. Showing patience in big moments at those tracks are really hard to do but I think that’s a piece that the guys who win there do all the time.”
Another unique aspect of superspeedway racing is the teamwork between the drivers. While drivers on the same race team normally give each other a nudge to secure the best outcome at a track, the scope broadens to include multiple instances of downdrafting with teammates and, in Hendrick Motorsports’ case, other Chevrolet drivers.
“It’s definitely nice to have friends at certain points in the race,” Elliott said. “Always the tough question for everyone is, ‘When do the gloves come off? When can everyone go after it?’ Our mentality, I feel like, has been really fluid over the years and we’ve developed a good relationship amongst ourselves and our three Hendrick teammates in knowing how we can help each other and how we can all benefit and get all of us into a position to have a shot.
“It’s such a fluid thing; it changes throughout the race. I think the biggest piece of that whole puzzle is pitting together, getting on and off pit road really well, maximizing your time there can position you in the best place to be up towards the front after everything cycles through.”
Elliott and the rest of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates will try to earn the organization’s fourth win of the season when they hit the track at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. The race will begin at 2 p.m. ET and air on FOX.