NASCAR: Chase Elliott Signs Extension With Hendrick Motorsports
Second-year driver Chase Elliott has signed an extension with Hendrick Motorsports. The deal will lock him up through 2022.
Hendrick Motorsports announced on Tuesday that they have signed Chase Elliott to a four-year contract extension. The deal will keep Elliott in the No. 24 through at least the 2022 season. Elliott is currently in his second full season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
NEWS: Hendrick Motorsports and @chaseelliott agree to extension through 2022.
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) June 27, 2017
Details: https://t.co/RxRk7Gmq2g pic.twitter.com/NvrGMlvJ4c
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This deal should come as no surprise. Elliott has been with Hendrick Motorsports since he was 15 years old. The 21-year-old driver has already accomplished a great deal in his young career. In 2014, Elliott won the XFINITY Series championship as a rookie. In 2016, he was named the Cup Series Rookie of the Year after replacing Jeff Gordon in the iconic No. 24.
Chase Elliott, the son of Bill Elliott, is still searching for his first win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. He has managed to score 27 top 10 finishes and has won three poles, which includes both of the previous two Daytona 500 poles.
The talented young Elliott has a lot going for him already. He has quickly become one of NASCAR’s favorite stars at such a young age. Team owner Rick Hendrick was smart to lock Elliott up and solidify the future of the No. 24 car for years to come.
I am honored to call @TeamHendrick home for another 5 years. Thank you to all of those who make it go around every day, time to get to work!
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) June 27, 2017
Jimmie Johnson recently signed a three-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports. The Elliott deal now solidifies Hendrick’s one-two punch. The team’s attention will now shift to deciding on a replacement for the No. 88 after Dale Earnhardt Jr. retires at the end of the season. The future of Kasey Kahne and the No. 5 will also need to be addressed as his contract is up after next season.
For Elliott, the stress of contract negotiations is wiped clean for a few years. He can now focus on improving behind the wheel and earning that all important first victory of his career. Ultimately, the goal going forward is to make strides towards becoming a Cup Series champion.
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