Chase Elliott doesn't expect previous Bowman Gray experience to help in Clash

When the NASCAR Cup Series lines up at Bowman Gray Stadium, there will be a few in the field like Chase Elliott who have experience at the track. The Hendrick Motorsports driver doesn’t expect that to help him much, though.

In the last three years, the Cup Series has raced on a quarter-mile track at the LA Coliseum. Every year, the track was a freshly built and paved track in the infield of the historic venue.

That will perhaps give these drivers more insight into how this weekend will play out. Chase Elliott and the Cup Series drivers will take on another quarter-mile track at the Madhouse.

Chase Elliott talked about his previous experience at the track and the LA Coliseum races as well when asked by Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. A little insight into how the Most Popular Driver is feeling going into the weekend.

“I don’t think so. It’s been so long since I’ve been there,” And yeah, those K&N races were years ago, so. I don’t really think that’s going to help. I think probably the last few years having been at the Coliseum, I know it’s going to be different, for sure. But I do think there will be some similarities and just a track of that size and kinda how quick things happen, how quick do corners come up on you.

“I think just the cadence of a lap, having a little bit of time here recently is, in my opinion going to mean a little more than my race at Bowman Gray that was however many years ago, 15 years ago.”

Chase Elliott is usually lowkey. He doesn’t get too worked up about much. So, it’s not surprising to see him stay nonchalant going into this weekend.

Chase Elliott looking to start season off strong

This season could be a big one for Chase Elliott. It has been a few years since we have seen a dominant No. 9 team. That 2022 season, the first of the Next Gen car, Elliott won five races. Is there any way he gets back to that level in 2025?

The win at Texas last season was huge. His consistency was on another level at times. But too many weeks, Elliott didn’t have that winning speed. Even when he ran well, top-10 and top-5, it never felt like he had a winning car.

Hendrick Motorsports has had the driver with the most wins on the season every year the last three years. However, Team Penske has been the team to win the three championships of the Next Gen era. Elliott won five in 2022. William Byron won seven in 2023. Kyle Larson won six in 2024.

So, Hendrick has the cars. Chase Elliott has the talent. Whether or not things click on the track at the right time remains to be seen. Bowman Gray is only a day away, folks!