Yes, the 2025 NASCAR Cup season is right around the corner, set to begin with the Clash at Bowman Gray on February 2. But this weekend, it’s the iconic Rolex 24 at Daytona that’s capturing the imagination of the motorsport community. And Chase Elliott seems to be sorely missed at the endurance event. Well, he had vowed to return and make amends after his less-than-perfect debut in 2021. But not this time.
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Chase understands he can’t enter a race like Daytona 24 without meticulous preparations.
“I’d love to come back and do this event again. I don’t think this is one of those things you show up one time and expect to be perfect or at the very best of your game. It takes a little more practice than that,” remarked Elliott, reflecting on his first experience at the race.
Elliott made his first entry at the Rolex 24 at Daytona right after his NASCAR Cup championship victory in 2020. He was also coming off a stint at the Chili Bowl Nationals just days before.
That weekend began well for Elliott and his #31 Action Express Racing teammates, who took the pole position. The team maintained a position close to the lead during the initial stages. However, as the race neared the seven-hour mark, they encountered debilitating gearbox issues that hampered their quest for victory.
Elliott also faced a major setback when he required emergency service while the pits were closed. That cost him valuable time.
Despite these hindrances, Elliott and his team completed the race, securing a P6-place finish in the DPi class, and a P8 overall.
Elliott was hard on himself after his Daytona 24 debut
Despite achieving a respectable finish, Elliott was sharply critical of his performance.
“Terrible, terrible, way off the pace,” he told NBCSN after the race.
Elliott added that although he felt much more comfortable during the final practice, he struggled to establish a strong rhythm or maintain a competitive pace during the race. He was quick to identify the areas where he lost time.
“It’s a little bit everywhere. I felt like probably [Turn] 6 and the Bus Stop were my worst places for me on track. I didn’t do a good job there at all, in finding a rhythm and getting going, I need to step up here next time around,” Elliott had said.
The 2020 Cup series champion also felt that he might have compromised the car’s integrity in the early stages by hitting a curb.
Though harsh on himself back then, Elliott also stated that he needs to be better prepared to go faster the next time he races at Rolex 24. Perhaps the 29-year-old felt he was not fully prepped this time around too.
