Chase Elliott secured the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship on November 8, 2020, at Phoenix Raceway, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Overcoming an early penalty that forced him to start from the rear of the field, Elliott climbed through the pack to win the Season Finale 500, claiming his first career premier series title and cementing his status as the sport's rising superstar.
The Road to the 2020 Championship Weekend
The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season was unlike any other in the history of the sport. Plagued by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the schedule underwent massive restructuring in the spring, forcing a temporary hiatus before returning with strict safety protocols and limited or no fans. Despite the logistical challenges, NASCAR successfully completed a full 36-race calendar, culminating in the Championship 4 showdown at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
Entering the final race, the Championship 4 field featured four distinct contenders representing different eras and teams within the sport:
- Chase Elliott: Representing Hendrick Motorsports, the young star advanced to his first Championship 4 appearance.
- Brad Keselowski: Driving for Team Penske, the 2012 champion sought his second career title in his final season with the organization.
- Joey Logano: Another Team Penske stalwart and the 2018 champion, looking to capture title number two.
- Denny Hamlin: Veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver who entered the race as part of a dominant multi-win season, aiming for his elusive first championship.
The Championship 4 format required these four drivers to finish ahead of one another in the season finale, with the highest-finishing driver among them claiming the Bill France Cup, regardless of overall race context—though Elliott managed to accomplish both by winning the race itself.
Pre-Race Penalties and Adversity for the No. 9 Team
The path to glory for Chase Elliott and crew chief Alan Gustafson was fraught with immediate tension. During pre-race inspection at Phoenix Raceway, the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet failed technical inspection twice.
This failure carried a severe penalty under NASCAR rulebook guidelines:
- Loss of Pit Selection: The team forfeited their preferred pit stall choice, impacting their positioning on pit road for the duration of the race.
- Ejection of Crew Member: A team car chief was ejected for the remainder of the event.
- Tail-End Start: Elliott was stripped of his second-place qualifying position and forced to start the 312-lap race from the rear of the 39-car field.
Starting dead last at a track where track position and clean air are paramount presented a daunting mountain to climb. However, the adversity galvanized the team, setting the stage for one of the most remarkable championship drives in modern NASCAR history.
The Race Unfolds: Tactical Execution at Phoenix Raceway
As the green flag waved at Phoenix Raceway, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano immediately established themselves as early front-runners, capturing stage wins and controlling the opening segments of the race. Meanwhile, Chase Elliott wasted no time cutting through the field. Within the first few dozen laps, he had cracked the top ten, displaying superior handling and tire management on the 1-mile tri-oval.
Strategic decisions on pit road proved decisive during the second half of the race. Crew chief Alan Gustafson utilized rapid pit stops and alternative fuel-and-tire strategies to vault Elliott into contention. By the final stage, all four championship contenders were running near the front, setting up a high-stakes sprint to the checkered flag.
With less than 50 laps remaining, Elliott executed a daring pass on Joey Logano to capture the lead. Despite intense pressure from Logano and a hard-charging Brad Keselowski in the closing laps, Elliott maintained his composure, navigating lapped traffic flawlessly to cross the finish line first and secure the championship crown.
| Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Championship 4 Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 1st (Champion) |
| Brad Keselowski | Team Penske | Ford | 2nd |
| Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 3rd |
| Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 4th |
Significance of the Victory for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet
Chase Elliott’s 2020 title carried immense historical and emotional weight for the sport, Hendrick Motorsports, and the manufacturer he represented.
Continuing a Legacy
Chase is the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, often referred to as "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville," who won the 1988 Winston Cup Series championship. By capturing the 2020 title, the Elliotts joined Lee and Richard Petty, and Ned and Dale Jarrett, as father-son combinations to win premier NASCAR championships. At 24 years old, Chase also became the third-youngest champion in NASCAR history, trailing only Jeff Gordon and Joey Logano.
Hendrick Motorsports' Resurgence
For Hendrick Motorsports, the championship marked the organization's 13th Cup Series title, breaking a tie with Petty Enterprises for the most all-time by a single team. It also signaled a transitional milestone for the powerhouse organization, as Jeff Gordon—who had mentored Elliott and famously handed over the driving duties of the iconic No. 24 car before Elliott moved to the No. 9—celebrated from atop the pit box as a co-owner.
Chevrolet's Return to Dominance
Chevrolet had endured a multi-year championship drought during the peak performance eras of Ford and Toyota under the Gen-6 body style. Elliott’s title brought the manufacturer back to the pinnacle of the sport, validating aerodynamic and engine development updates introduced for the Camaro ZL1 1LE platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship?
Chase Elliott won the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship. He clinched the title by winning the season-finalizing race at Phoenix Raceway on November 8, 2020, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
What format was used to determine the 2020 NASCAR champion?
NASCAR used its elimination-style playoff format, which culminates in the "Championship 4" race. The four remaining drivers competed head-to-head in the final race at Phoenix Raceway, with the highest finisher among them winning the season championship.
Why did Chase Elliott start at the back of the field at Phoenix?
Elliott was forced to start at the rear of the field because his No. 9 Chevrolet failed pre-race technical inspection twice. NASCAR rules dictate that multiple failures result in the loss of pit selection, crew member ejections, and a tail-end start penalty.
How old was Chase Elliott when he won his first title?
Chase Elliott was 24 years old when he secured the 2020 championship, making him one of the youngest drivers in history to claim a premier NASCAR Cup Series title.
Was Bill Elliott a NASCAR champion?
Yes, Chase Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott, won the premier series championship in 1988. They became one of the rare father-son duos to both win championships at NASCAR's highest level.
Historical Impact and Subsequent Eras
The 2020 championship serves as a definitive turning point in modern stock car racing history, capturing an era defined by resilience during unprecedented global disruption. For sports historians and fans reviewing the statistical records, Chase Elliott's triumph at Phoenix remains a masterclass in overcoming in-race adversity and technical penalties on the biggest stage. Fans interested in exploring the evolution of the sport can examine subsequent season regulations, ongoing team rosters, and the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, which fundamentally transformed competition dynamics across the Cup Series circuit.
