NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Chase Elliott marches into Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend knowing at the end of Saturday’s season finale he will hoist the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series trophy above his head after becoming the youngest champion in NASCAR national touring series history at 18 years, 11 months and 18 days.
Being the competitor that he is, Elliott views the season as far from over as there is still one race left to win. Stemming from crew chief Greg Ives’ leadership, the No. 9 team has evolved into a weekly contender battling amongst NASCAR’s elite. Saturday marks Ives’ final race with JR Motorsports as he will move to Hendrick Motorsports as crew chief of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Sprint Cup Series team in 2015.
Exactly like the three tracks Elliott conquered earlier this season, Homestead-Miami Speedway is a place he has never raced. Adding to the 18-year-old phenom’s confidence is the fact that he’ll be in one of his favorite cars – chassis No. 851. Elliott wheeled this chassis to victories at Darlington Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway earlier this season. Knowing the championship is secure, now Elliott is determined to double up on the No. 9 NAPA team’s South Beach celebration as winners of Saturday night’s 200-lap race.
Elliott looks to close on the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award with a strong performance at Homestead. He enters the weekend 46 points ahead of Ty Dillon. Elliott is also in the running for the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award, which will be announced Monday night at the series banquet: Vote for Chase Elliott.
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