Hendrick Motorsports must make changes to Chase Elliott’s team in 2025

Chase Elliott sits fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings through 14 races; however, the points position doesn’t show the overall story. Elliott, who last won at Texas Motor Speedway in April 2024, hasn’t entered victory lane in the last 41 Cup Series points races. The driver of the No. 9 car won the 2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, but it was an exhibition event.

In fact, Elliott only has one victory in the last 84 Cup Series events, which is the worst stretch of his career following his first win at Watkins Glen International in 2018. Therefore, the No. 9 team must make changes because Elliott’s performances are not meeting the standards he set at Hendrick Motorsports in the past.

Elliott has led the fewest laps of the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers in 2025, with Martinsville Speedway and Kansas Speedway making up most of the total. The No. 9 car has only shown race-winning speed at Kansas, Martinsville, and Circuit of the Americas, while his teammates continue to dominate and win races.

The performance of the No. 9 team has been disappointing after a strong start at Bowman Gray, but the pit crew, crew chief, and driver have made mistakes that impact their day. In fact, Hendrick Motorsports made a minor adjustment to the No. 9 pit crew after they cost Elliott a chance at the victory in Kansas last month.

It may seem like an overreaction to say that Elliott, who sits fifth in the point standings, needs a crew chief change or more within the No. 9 team, but the results haven’t been present over the last three seasons. Granted, Elliott suffered a leg injury in 2023, but the performances were already declining during the 2022 NASCAR playoffs.

Something is missing with Elliott’s No. 9 team compared to his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, most specifically, Kyle Larson and William Byron. It doesn’t seem like these issues are going to improve anytime soon, meaning Hendrick Motorsports might have to make significant changes to turn the ship around for the No. 9 camp.

After all, Elliott is a Cup Series champion, and the results have to be better moving forward if he wants a second Cup Series title. There is some time to heat up during the summer months, but Hendrick Motorsports has to prioritize Elliott’s return to victory lane at some point before it’s too late.

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