Chase Elliott’s 2025 campaign has had its bright spots, but it hasn’t been the smooth ride fans are used to seeing from the No. 9. Yes, his last-lap win in Atlanta reminded everyone of his big-race flair, and his steady string of top-5s and top-10s has kept him comfortably in the playoff picture. But behind the results lies a troubling trend: Elliott just hasn’t been starting up front.

His qualifying average sits at 16.9 (nearly six spots worse than last year), and it’s cost him valuable stage points week after week. At tracks like New Hampshire and Dover, where track position is everything, Elliott has spent the early laps digging out of holes rather than dictating the race. One win aside, if he and Hendrick Motorsports can’t fix their Saturday struggles, their playoff hopes could be i

See Full Page