HMS' Chase Elliott sets historic NASCAR career record ahead of Olympics break

Chase Elliott has set a new record in his Cup Series career. As the NASCAR season approaches a two-week break for the Olympics, Elliott has achieved the longest streak of finishing on the lead lap in his career.

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series is taking an unusual two-week break due to NBC’s coverage of the Olympics, before resuming at Richmond on August 9. This break will push the season finale to November 10.

Chase Elliott now holds his longest streak with 17 races. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has been consistent and impressive throughout the season. Elliott currently has the number two spot in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with one win.

Chase Elliott, driving the #9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, has finished each of the past 19 NASCAR Cup Series races on the lead lap. His streak exceeds Daniel Suarez's record by 6 races.

After Elliott’s 19 consecutive lead lap finishes, Daniel Suarez has 17, followed by Ryan Blaney (12), Carson Hocevar (11), Justin Haley (8) and Chris Buescher (6). Tyler Reddick, Austin Cindric, Corey LaJoie, and Chase Briscoe each have 5.

In NASCAR, finishing on the lead lap is important because drivers earn points even if they only complete one lap. This is different from other racing series where points are only given to top finishers or those on the lead lap.

Chase Elliott's Brickyard 400 Penalty Confusion

Chase Elliott performed well in the 2024 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway but lost track position for a penalty he got for a blend line violation.

Brad Keselowski and Elliott were the only drivers penalized for a blend line violation. Elliott expressed his frustration on the radio, questioning the penalty and NASCAR's rule explanation.

“None of us knew what the rule was," Elliott said.

“The way I understood the rule was that you couldn’t get your right sides over the far white line because then you would be deemed on the racing surface. That’s what I did,” he added.

Elliott’s car crossed two white lines and went onto the racing surface, while Kyle Larson, who followed, stayed within the rules. Despite the penalty, Elliott finished 10th.

This mix-up caused problems for Elliott in the past too. He had to deal with a speeding penalty at Pocono last weekend. Even before the race at Indianoplis, he had expressed confusion over the rules.

“I still don’t know, to be honest with you,” he said.