Dale Earnhardt Jr. evaluates Chase Elliott's 2025 NASCAR season

Chase Elliott is NASCAR‘s most popular driver but, in a way, his performance this season is flying under the radar. Sure, that’s what happens when your teammates with William Byron, back-to-back Daytona 500 champion, and Kyle Larson, maybe the best driver in the Cup Series.

But here we are at the Easter break and through nine races, Elliott is fifth in the points standings. He has five top 10s and has yet to finish outside the top 20. Oh, and Elliott kicked off the season with a victory in The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Most drivers would happily take that. But this is a former Cup champion, and the expectations are higher than for most. Because of that, Dale Earnhardt Jr. feels that Elliott and his team are probably disappointed.

“Chase Elliott would not be happy with that. Neither would his crew chief Alan [Gustafson],” Earnhardt said on the Dale Jr. Download.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Chase Elliott ‘starting to head in the right direction’

That being said, Earnhardt is pleased with Elliott’s performance thus far. The NASCAR Hall of Famer has seen better from the No. 9 car this season and believes they’re headed in the right direction.

“But I am. Chase, to me, like this tells you how tough the Cup Series is,” Earnhardt said. “He got injured in a snowboarding deal; I know that was a while ago, but that little disruption sort of set him back and the team just couldn’t ever find their groove or find their speed and some consistency and get him comfortable. For a while, it was really a struggle.

“Now this year, I’m starting to see that car like you might expect it to. They still have some tough days; I think Bristol they were probably disappointed for sure to be not in the top 10. It was just a track position thing more than likely. But I think there’s a glimmer of what can be for that team. I know he’s probably disappointed, but I think they’ve improved and are starting to head in the right direction.”