Chase Elliott drives the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series

Chase Elliott has been with Hendrick Motorsports since 2015, when he joined the organization as a rookie in the NASCAR Truck Series before moving to the Xfinity Series and then the Cup Series in 2016. He drives the No. 9 car, one of the four full-time Cup Series entries fielded by Hendrick. The team is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is one of the most successful organizations in NASCAR history, with multiple championships and hundreds of race wins across its driver roster.

Elliott's tenure at Hendrick has made him one of the organization's flagship drivers. He won the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship while driving the No. 9, becoming the youngest champion in the modern era at that time. His primary sponsor has shifted over the years but has included companies like NAPA Auto Parts, which had a long association with the car number.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Elliott drives the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • He has been with Hendrick Motorsports since 2015, starting in the Truck Series before advancing to Cup Series competition in 2016.
  • Elliott won the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship while driving for Hendrick, the organization's most recent Cup title.
  • Hendrick Motorsports fields four full-time Cup Series cars and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How Chase Elliott Joined Hendrick Motorsports

Elliott came to Hendrick Motorsports through a development path common in NASCAR. His father, Bill Elliott, was a legendary NASCAR driver, and Chase grew up around racing. Hendrick signed him as a young prospect and placed him in the Truck Series first, a standard route for drivers moving toward the Cup Series.

The organization saw potential in Elliott and invested in his development across multiple series. By 2016, he was ready for the Cup Series full-time, and Hendrick gave him the No. 9 car—a number with history in the organization. This methodical approach to driver development is typical of how top NASCAR teams build their rosters.

The No. 9 Car and Its History at Hendrick

The No. 9 Chevrolet has been part of Hendrick Motorsports' lineup for decades. Before Elliott took over the car in 2016, it was driven by Kasey Kahne and earlier by Jimmie Johnson, one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history. The car number carries weight within the organization because of its past success.

Elliott has made the No. 9 his own since taking over. The car competes in all 36 races of the NASCAR Cup Series season, typically running on Sunday afternoons at tracks across the United States. The team provides Elliott with competitive equipment, pit crew, engineers, and support staff—the full infrastructure needed to compete at the highest level of stock car racing.

Elliott's Performance and Championships

Elliott's 2020 championship season was a breakthrough moment for both him and the No. 9 team. He won three races that year and accumulated enough points over the 36-race season to win the title. The championship validated Hendrick's investment in him and established him as one of the top drivers in the series.

Since the championship, Elliott has remained a consistent competitor in the Cup Series. He has won multiple races in subsequent seasons and regularly finishes in the top 10 in points standings. His consistency has made him one of Hendrick's most reliable drivers and a central part of the organization's long-term plans.

Hendrick Motorsports' Four-Car Operation

Hendrick Motorsports operates four full-time Cup Series cars, and Elliott's No. 9 is one of them. The other three cars rotate through different drivers and numbers depending on sponsorship and organizational needs. This four-car structure allows Hendrick to field multiple competitive entries and share resources, pit crew informed, and engineering knowledge across the team.

The organization is privately owned by Rick Hendrick, who founded it in 1984. Hendrick Motorsports has won 16 NASCAR Cup Series championships across its history—more than any other team—and has fielded some of the sport's most famous drivers. Elliott is part of that legacy, and his No. 9 car is one of the team's primary entries.

Sponsorship and Team Support

Elliott's car is sponsored by various companies throughout the season. NAPA Auto Parts was the primary sponsor for many years, creating a long-standing partnership between the brand and the No. 9. Sponsorship in NASCAR is crucial because it funds the team's operations, and Elliott's consistent performance makes him attractive to sponsors looking for visibility in the sport.

The sponsorship model means that Elliott's car may display different logos and paint schemes depending on which company is sponsoring a particular race. This is standard across NASCAR, where teams piece together their budgets from multiple sponsors rather than relying on a single source.

What Happens Next in Elliott's Career

As of the most recent NASCAR season, Elliott remains with Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 9 car. Driver changes in NASCAR happen periodically due to retirement, sponsorship shifts, or organizational restructuring, but Elliott has shown no signs of leaving. His long tenure with Hendrick and his championship history suggest he is a core part of the organization's future.

Elliott continues to compete for wins and playoff positions each season. The NASCAR Cup Series runs from February through November, with the playoffs determining the champion. Elliott's goal each year is to return to championship contention, and Hendrick provides him with the resources to pursue that goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Chase Elliott always driven for Hendrick Motorsports?

No. Elliott joined Hendrick in 2015 for the Truck Series and moved through the Xfinity Series before joining the Cup Series in 2016. Before that, he raced in other series and organizations as he developed as a driver.

What number does Chase Elliott drive?

Elliott drives the No. 9 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series. The car number has a long history at Hendrick Motorsports and was previously driven by Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne.

Did Chase Elliott win a NASCAR championship?

Yes. Elliott won the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship while driving the No. 9 for Hendrick Motorsports. He was the youngest champion in the modern era at the time of his win.

Where is Hendrick Motorsports located?

Hendrick Motorsports is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The organization was founded in 1984 and has won 16 NASCAR Cup Series championships, more than any other team in the sport.

Can Chase Elliott's sponsor change during the season?

Yes. NASCAR teams typically have multiple sponsors that rotate throughout the season, each sponsoring different races. Elliott's car may display different logos and paint schemes depending on which company is sponsoring that particular race.