CONCORD, N.C. -- After powering through a rainy Sunday afternoon in Austin, Texas, the No. 9 team was declared the winner of the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas. The historic day ended with Hendrick Motorsports tying Petty Enterprises’ all-times win record of 268 victories, Chevrolet posting its 800th victory and Chase Elliott securing his first win of the season.
“It’s an honor to be a part of that milestone,” Elliott said. “That number that Petty Enterprises has put out there, it’s a big one, just like 800 is a big one for Chevrolet. Just proud of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. I feel like we’ve all worked really hard. I feel like we’re all really pulling in the same direction and I think it’s showing on track.”
Elliott led for five laps at the 3.41-mile road course before the race was halted with 14 laps to go due to heavy rain. NASCAR made the decision to call the race, which allowed Elliott, crew chief Alan Gustafson and the No. 9 crew to start celebrating on pit road.
“It’s great,” Gustafson said of the win. “I know Mr. Hendrick really wanted to hold that record and we’ve been doing everything we can to get it. Certainly, you really want to win these marquee events. … (I’m) happy about that; it’s something we’re super proud of, but most of all, (we’re) happy for Mr. Hendrick for everything he does for us and Chevrolet.”
While Elliott and the No. 9 crew are thrilled with being part of history, the victory also was another personal accolade for the current Cup Series champions. It marks the second time Elliott has been the inaugural winner at a road course. He took home the checkered flag at the DAYTONA Road Course last August.
“Anytime you can go win is a great feeling,” Elliott said. “To do it at a new track that everybody was seeing for the first time is exciting, so we’ll take it any way we can get it. ... For whatever reason, (road courses have) gone really well for us, so hopefully we can keep it going. There’s a lot more on the schedule this year and I’m sure the rest of the field is going to be getting better as they always do for the rest of them. We’ve been good so far and we’ll try to get better.”