"Our fire shouldn’t be in question" - When Chase Elliott reflected on his most challenging NASCAR season

Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, talked about his rough 2023 season earlier this year. The Hendrick Motorsports driver missed the playoffs for the first time in his career last year.

Elliott ended the season in 17th place with no wins but with seven top-five finishes and 15 top-10 finishes. He spoke about the No. 9 team's commitment to winning during the Daytona 500 Media Day in February 2024.

"That, to me, means a lot when you go to war every week (with a team) that has no desire to quit. It speaks volumes. That, in my opinion, is a huge hurdle in trying to get back to where we think we can be and where I feel where we belong," Elliott said (via motorsport.com).

Elliott started 2023 with a 38th-place finish at the Daytona 500 and had a second-place finish at the season's second race in Fontana. However, Elliott broke his leg in a snowboarding accident and had to miss six races.

"We always want to do good. Our fire shouldn’t be in question. We might be frustrated or in a bad mood some days, but it’s because we want to do well, not for any other reason," he added.

At the race in Phoenix, the No. 9 team was penalized for having unapproved parts. Crew chief Alan Gustafson was also suspended for four races.

Elliott later wrecked Denny Hamlin after Hamlin pushed him into the wall at Charlotte and was suspended for one race.

"I feel like our team is in a good place. When you have a year like last year, it is really easy for a team to blow up from the inside...When I look at where our team is at mentally, our drive and our will, and our willingness to fight and not quit, I think it’s at an all-time high to be honest with you. My relationship with Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) is as good as it’s ever been," Elliott said.

2023 was Elliott's third season overall without a win, his first since 2017.

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Chase Elliott's 2024 season review

Chase Elliott had a strong run this season with one win, 11 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. Elliott broke his winless streak at Texas in April and in the playoffs, he had seven top-10 finishes, including two second-place finishes at Bristol and Martinsville.

Elliott finished with three straight top 10s at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Martinsville, and Phoenix Raceway. He was eliminated before the Championship 4 and ended the season in 7th place in the final points standings.

The 29-year-old has an average finish of 11.7 in 2024, his best in the last three years.