For those who haven’t heard,
Chase Elliott is now officially going NASCAR racing.
Earlier this month it was
announced that Elliott had signed a full-time deal with JR Motorsports in the
Nationwide Series. He’ll drive the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet with crew chief Greg
Ives. Coming after Elliott won his first career Camping World Truck Series race
last season but has yet to run a single lap in NNS competition.
The son of 1988 Cup champion
Bill Elliott has grown up in NASCAR garages. Having the best to learn from as
he’s made his way through the racing ranks. The younger Elliott becoming a
legend in his own right on short tracks.
So with the name come the
expectations. Before Elliott was even old enough to compete in NASCAR he was
already being called the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon’s No. 24. Now that
Elliott is signed to a NNS deal, as well as linked to Hendrick Motorsports as a
development driver, the scenario could become quite likely over the next few
seasons.
Right now his NNS deal is a
multi-year one according to JRM. The trend seeming to be for young drivers that
two full years in the NNS and then it’s time to move to Cup. Should Elliott follow
in that direction, a decision will have to be made about where he ends up and
if he does indeed end up replacing Gordon.
It’s all part of speculation,
something that’s familiar in NASCAR. The 2014 season hasn’t even started yet
and the future is already trying to be predicted. Yet, with Elliott that’s been
the case since he could walk.
And let’s not forget the
biggest part of this deal: Jeff Gordon. Many have been ready to attach the
retirement tag to the four-time champion since about 2005. Yet he’s not ready
to entertain such notions and hasn’t revealed when exactly he plans on stepping
away.
But …
What if Chase Elliott is ready
for the Cup Series in 2-3 years, and with being connected to Hendrick, how do
you fit him in?
@MarshallGabell After Jimmie
Johnson wins two more Championships then Elliott will become Hendrick’s
franchise driver
@ABolt89 5 team or will they
cut ties with whoever the weaker driver is!! Honestly that is a great question
@Talon64 If it’s 3 years, then
at least any one of Gordon, Stewart or Danica will be gone to open up a seat
within the HMS family.
@ThomasCHitch JR Motorsports
emerges.
@jshaunAU2006 in reply to
@Talon64 and @KellyCrandall I still think JRM will have a cup team in the
future.
@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 Dale
Jr. would have to leave HMS for it.
@Revvin4Seven48 I figure Gordon
will be done after 2015.
@jshaunAU2006 to @Talon64 Dale
Sr. didn’t leave RCR for DEI.
@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 4 car
limit in Cup would prevent Dale Jr. for owning another team while he’s driving
for HMS.
@MattWisneski Chase Elliott has
been lined up for the 24 car since we first head his name. I sat 2015/16 all
but signed #napa24
@jasonskow I think that Jeff
Gordon retires or goes part time
@jackrlewis Gordon will retire.
I don’t see any other instance, unless Kahne regresses
@AustinPollak8 Gordon retires
@MikeGraf2 Gordon will be
retired
@R_Informative I think we’re
seeing Jeff Gordon’s career come to a close, like it or not, and that is what
will make room for Chase
@HarpAmyStabler He becomes the
heir apparent to Jeff Gordon. Or, he goes to a satellite team like SHR until a
seat opens up at HMS.
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