NASCAR
Chase Elliott Wins Texas, Gives Hooters First Win in Over Three Decades
FORT WORTH, Texas – NASCAR’s most popular driver ends a wild and wacky Texas race returning to victory lane. After taking command on a late restart, Chase Elliott had to play defense on many more late sprints. Following a last lap yellow in double overtime, Georgia’s favorite son is a winner again for the first time in 42 races. Elliott also takes sponsor Hooters to a long-awaited win.
From his third straight pole, Kyle Larson took home a dominant Stage 1 win. Larson’s day hit a major road block midway through Stage 2 however, when the 5 had a right rear wheel fell off under caution.
After being held on pit road, Larson rejoined the race outside of the top 30. The 5 would never recover this lost ground, eventually finishing 21st. The Stage 2 win went to Ross Chastain. With the race’s fastest driver set back, the field of new contenders was wide open. Chastain, Tyler Reddick, and Denny Hamlin were just a few drivers to spend time out front.
Reddick would take himself out of the running after finding the turn two wall while trying to make up lost time. His pit crew had also set him back, losing the provisional lead to Hamlin. Chase Elliott would come in clutch on a restart as well, going three wide to pass both Toyotas.
Hamlin’s time out front would soon come to an abrupt end. The No. 11 Toyota spun in turn four racing Elliott for the top spot on one of many late restarts.
Elliott held command for two overtime restarts over an ever-aggressive Ross Chastain. On the second green-white-checkered attempt, William Byron would make contact from behind with Chastain. The No. 1 was sent spinning, triggering another yellow. Coming after the white flag, this 16th caution secured the win for Elliott.
After going winless all of 2023, Chase Elliott ends a 42 race losing streak by taking the Texas checkered flag. Elliott also busts another improbable drought, taking sponsor Hooters back to victory lane. The restaurant chain had not won a Cup Series race since Alan Kulwicki’s last win at Pocono in June 1992.
“Oh, man, couldn’t feel any better,” Elliott said. “First off, thanks to everybody that came out today. You guys are unbelievable.”
“Hooter’s has been a partner of ours for a number of years now. It’s been a dream of mine to pay respect to the late Alan Kulwicki. Driving this car to a victory and do a Polish victory lap, just really crazy how things came full circle there in that moment. It was pretty emotional for me. He beat dad back in the day. Here we are sharing his sponsor and having an opportunity to win today.”
“So just, man, couldn’t be more grateful for this journey and kind of the path that hasn’t always been fun, but certainly have enjoyed working with our guys. We’ve been working really hard and really well together. Like I said, hasn’t always been fun, but we’ve enjoyed the fight together.”
“It was just crazy. This place is so sketchy. I haven’t seen a replay of Denny and us. I didn’t feel like I did anything super crazy there any more than anybody’s ever done to me. Just had to run forward. I want to look at it. I didn’t feel like I did anything to crash him, I think just the circumstances. But nonetheless, apologies to him if so.”
“Couldn’t be more proud of our team. Thanks to our partners at NAPA, Chevrolet. Everybody at Hendrick Motorsports. Had a big week last week. Boss, thank you for sticking with me. Really, really proud of this. Appreciate all the folks back home that have stuck with me and helped us get back on track.”
Coming just shy of ending his own winless drought, Brad Keselowski was second to Elliott. The No. 6 pitted for fresh tires with 36 laps left, but was unable to capitalize with this advantage. William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Daniel Suarez rounded out the top-five. Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, and Carson Hocevar were the top-10.
In week nine of the 2024 racing season, the No. 9 of Elliott is the sixth winner to secure a Playoff spot. The 2020 Cup Series champion will be battling for another Cup this fall. Elliott is also the third winner this season from Hendrick Motorsports.
Next week’s race is from the site of Elliott’s last win, Talladega Superspeedway. The Geico 500 goes green Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Many hungry drivers will be on kill for victory lane at the ever-unpredictable drafting track.
Written by Peter Stratta
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