In the world of NASCAR, where split-second decisions and razor-thin margins separate the champions from the also-rans, the importance of consistency cannot be overstated. Throughout the 2024 NASCAR season, one of the most discussed drivers has been Chase Elliott, a name that carries immense weight in the sport. While fans are used to seeing Elliott dominate at certain stages, this season has been characterized by fluctuating performances that have placed him tantalizingly close to success—but not quite over the line.
Speaking about this reality, racing veteran and analyst Bianchi echoed a sentiment many have been feeling: it’s time for Chase Elliott to take that critical next step if he truly wants to solidify his championship run. After discussing with Gluck, a notable voice in NASCAR media, Bianchi emphasized that while Elliott’s performance has been solid, it’s time to step up from merely “being in the mix” to truly sealing the deal.
“I think this is a microcosm of the year where they’re in there and they’re in the mix and you feel like you kind of got acknowledged like, ‘Hey, the numbers say this.’ They’re second or third in the points all regular season, even leading a few weeks,” Bianchi explained, highlighting Elliott’s regular season efforts. What has kept Chase Elliott relevant this year is his ability to consistently place himself near the front of the points standings. But despite this, it hasn’t translated into the dominant race wins that would put him in a clear position to vie for the championship.
For much of the 2024 season, Elliott’s journey has been marked by moments of promise. His pace on the track has frequently placed him in contention, as seen by his regular position near the top of the standings. Being second or third in the points standings is no small feat, and for weeks, Elliott even managed to take the lead, stirring anticipation among fans who have followed his career closely since his NASCAR Cup Series championship win in 2020.
However, as Bianchi pointed out, being near the top of the standings doesn’t always equate to lifting the championship trophy at the end of the season. NASCAR’s playoff format demands not just consistency but the ability to deliver standout performances when the stakes are highest. The pressure mounts as the season transitions from the grind of regular-season races to the cutthroat intensity of the playoffs.
Gluck and Bianchi: Seeing Eye-to-Eye on Elliott’s Challenge
When Gluck and Bianchi sat down to analyze Elliott’s season, they both came to the conclusion that while the groundwork has been laid, it is time for Elliott to find that extra gear. Gluck, in particular, highlighted the narrow margins that often define NASCAR’s playoffs. “You can’t rely on just being good enough. At some point, good has to become great,” he commented. His observation points to an important truth in motorsports: being consistent is great, but winning championships requires a step beyond what has been shown so far.
Bianchi’s analysis supports this view, framing Elliott’s 2024 campaign as the quintessential example of this balancing act between being “good enough” and truly dominant. According to him, the statistics affirm Elliott’s talent—after all, a driver doesn’t stay in second or third in the points standings without doing plenty of things right. However, the missing element is clear: decisive race wins at crucial moments. In other words, Elliott needs to take that “next step.”
Now, as the season turns towards its climax, the question is whether Elliott can convert his potential into concrete results. The playoffs in NASCAR are unforgiving, and while there is no denying Elliott’s skill behind the wheel, it takes more than just that to claim the sport’s top prize. In previous seasons, we’ve seen Elliott pull off clutch performances in make-or-break moments. His 2020 championship win was a masterclass in handling pressure, but with each passing season, the competition only gets tougher.
Gluck remarked that Elliott has the tools to succeed but needs to adopt a more aggressive approach if he’s to claim another championship. “He’s there, he’s always there, but we need to see him start crossing that finish line first more often in these playoff races,” Gluck said. Both he and Bianchi believe that Chase Elliott’s ability to elevate his game could be the deciding factor.
This idea of “stepping up” goes beyond the mechanical aspects of racing. It involves a mental shift, a psychological edge that separates champions from near-misses. For Elliott, it might mean taking more risks, trusting his instincts more than the numbers, and ensuring that every race becomes an opportunity to outshine his competition.
Chase Elliott himself seems fully aware of the stakes. In interviews throughout the year, he’s acknowledged the challenge of sustaining peak performance across a long season and through the playoffs. “I know what I’m capable of, and I know we’ve got the car, the team, and everything we need to win this,” Elliott said earlier in the season. However, with the playoffs underway, actions speak louder than words.
Elliott’s fans remain hopeful that he will tap into the champion’s mentality that took him to the top in 2020. If he can muster a few race-winning performances in the closing stages of the season, there’s every chance that he will once again be in contention for NASCAR’s ultimate prize.
As Bianchi and Gluck’s conversation highlights, Chase Elliott’s 2024 season represents a pivotal moment in his career. He has demonstrated the consistency required to stay in the championship hunt, but now, the next step awaits: converting his potential into playoff victories. In a sport where momentum can shift in an instant, Elliott’s ability to find that next gear could be the key to securing his second championship title. Only time will tell if he’s able to make the leap from “being in the mix” to being the one standing in Victory Lane at season’s end.
