NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson issues Chase Elliott verdict after recent criticism

NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson has shared his thoughts on Chase Elliott and his form following last weekend's race at Atlanta, backing the Hendrick Motorsports star to figure things out with the next-gen car moving forward.

Elliott took the victory in the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway, snapping a 44-race winless drought and locking himself into the playoffs for 2025, joining teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron.

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Having gone so long without a win, Elliott has come in for some criticism of late, including from former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty.

Johnson, though, is backing the Atlanta victory to be a turning point for Elliott in the next-gen era.

"The new car doesn't necessarily fit stylistically, but Chase is gonna figure it out," Johnson said on his Never Settle podcast.

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Good things to come for Chase Elliott

Johnson continued: "I think this is the start of many good things to come,"

"With Alan Gustafson as the leader and the support from Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick, Chad Knaus, what Hendrick has to offer, they do a really good job of putting their athletes in an environment that they will thrive in.

"And the relationship between Alan and Chase is an incredible one and this is just what the doctor ordered for those guys."

In fairness to Elliott, despite having not won in 44 races before last weekend, he has been very consistent this season.

The No. 9 team have secured 10 top-10 finishes so far in 2025, for example, with five of those coming in the top five.

As a result of this, and his win last weekend, Elliott now sits second in the regular season standings, just 37 points behind teammate Byron at the top.

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