Chase Elliott remains one of NASCAR\u2019s most beloved figures, with seven straight Most Popular Driver awards to prove it. While Austin Dillon often faces criticism for riding under his grandfather Richard Childress\u2019 banner, Bill Elliott\u2019s son has made his own legacy, well beyond the shadow of his Hall of Fame father.<\/p>\n
To date, Elliott has tallied 20 Cup Series victories in 11 seasons, but his roots trace back to a decorated late model career where he captured numerous marquee events, even completing the unofficial grand slam of super late model racing. Recently, though, he revealed that his racing journey began even earlier, behind the wheel of a go-kart.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Lindsay Czarniak\u2019s YouTube podcast Things No One Tells You, Elliott recalled, \u201cI was about eight. So, fairly young. I mean, obviously, at that time, I mean, you\u2019re not seriously racing at eight, right?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a hobby, and you were out having a good time. I wouldn\u2019t say things started to get really serious until I was 13, 14. I mean, still, that\u2019s a very young age, I feel like to have to kind of recognize the severity of what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
By 13 or 14, when he transitioned into late models, Elliott admitted the gravity of the sport began to sink in. Being Bill Elliott\u2019s son came with built-in expectations, but he insisted<\/a><\/strong>, \u201cYou have to have that desire on your own to want to go do it. Obviously, I admired Dad\u2019s career and always looked up to him from the racing side.\u201d<\/p>\n Elliott credited not only his father but also other industry veterans, from whom he picked up strategies and small lessons along the way. Still, growing up in racing meant missing out on the typical childhood weekends his peers enjoyed. At times, Elliott confessed he wished he could do what his friends were doing.<\/p>\n Yet, the fire never dimmed. The passion to chase his goals burned steadily, and for Elliott, that persistent desire became the key piece of the puzzle that kept his career on track and pushed him to where he is today.<\/p>\n Elliott on managing the expectations following his father\u2019s footsteps<\/p>\n