Watkins Glen Throwback: Chase Elliott goes back-to-back at The Glen

This week with so much on the line for Chase Elliott, let’s look back on his back-to-back wins at Watkins Glen in 2018 and 2019. Of course, that 2018 win was the first of Elliott’s NASCAR Cup Series career. Then, he went and backed it up the year after.

In both races, Chase Elliott dueled with Martin Truex Jr. until the very end. It was a seminal moment for Elliott to grab the win in 2018, and it broke the seal for him in his Cup career. Many will tell you that his win in 2018 solidified him as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver.

They say you never forget your first. After a strong race at Indy on the road course, Elliott will try to repeat his success at Watkins Glen. The place where all of that winning began.

Could he make more career history at the track? A win gets him into the NASCAR Playoffs, and without the checkered flag, it could be a disappointment of a season.

I have a feeling that if this race does go Chase Elliott’s way, he might have to hold off old Truex Jr. one more time at The Glen. The 19 team leads the points standings and has a win at Sonoma this season already.

With his back against the wall, is this the weekend where Elliott pulls it all together and gets his win?

And if you want to check out more classic NASCAR races, check out the new archive that was just put out featuring hundreds of races from the beginning of the sport to now.

Chase Elliott looking for another Watkins Glen win

There is a ton of history at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Cup Series. Winners range from Tim Richmond to Kyle Petty, Mark Martin to Jeff Gordon and more. Since 1986, six drivers have gone back-to-back at The Glen. Elliott, Kyle Larson, Marcus Ambrose Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and Mark Martin have all won multiple in a row. Gordon and Martin both went on three-peats.

Right now, Elliott is in a place that he has never been in. He has just two weeks to get a win and make his way into the playoffs. After missing seven races due to injury and a behavioral suspension, he’s behind the ball a bit.

Last week, it felt like he had a car capable of winning. However, it was the Michael McDowell show. This week, Hendrick Motorsports will try to bring another fast road course car and hope that it is enough to get Elliott a win.

While there are 12 races left this season in total, only two more until the playoffs begin. Is Chase Elliott going to be among the 16 drivers vying for a championship?