Championship Clinched as Chase Elliott and NAPA Head into Homestead
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 11, 2014) – NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Chase Elliott marches into Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend knowing at the end of Saturday’s season finale he will hoist the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series trophy above his head after becoming the youngest champion in NASCAR national touring series history at 18 years, 11 months and 18 days.
Being the competitor that he is, Elliott views the season as far from over as there is still one race left to win. Stemming from crew chief Greg Ives’ leadership, the No. 9 team has evolved into a weekly contender battling amongst NASCAR’s elite. Saturday marks Ives’ final race with JR Motorsports as he will move to Hendrick Motorsports as crew chief of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Sprint Cup Series team in 2015.
Exactly like the three tracks Elliott conquered earlier this season, Homestead-Miami Speedway is a place he has never raced. Adding to the 18-year-old phenom’s confidence is the fact that he’ll be in one of his favorite cars – chassis No. 851. Elliott wheeled this chassis to victories at Darlington Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway earlier this season. Knowing the championship is secure, now Elliott is determined to double up on the No. 9 NAPA team’s South Beach celebration as winners of Saturday night’s 200-lap race.
Elliott looks to close on the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award with a strong performance at Homestead. He enters the weekend 46 points ahead of Ty Dillon. Elliott is also in the running for the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award, which will be announced Monday night at the series banquet.
Elliott will serve as In-Race Reporter for ESPN2’s telecast of the Ford EcoBoost 300, which begins 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and MRN/Sirius XM.
Driver Quotes | Chase Elliott
On Homestead-Miami Speedway:
“I’m really excited to get down to Miami this week after Phoenix this past weekend. We’re going to enjoy this trip and make the most of it. Homestead is the final track this season we haven’t visited. One thing is certain, it doesn’t get any better than racing under the lights. Saturday night will be a great show for the fans.”
On Clinching 2014 Nationwide Series Championship in Phoenix:
“This truly has been a dream come true for me; really to even be competing this season. Looking back a year ago, we didn’t have plans to be racing in the Nationwide Series in 2014. It was uncertain what our future would be. To be able to come out and have a great season with NAPA AUTO PARTS support has been unreal. They are the reason we are here. They came on board and committed big to do a full season and that takes a lot.”
MEDIA INFORMATION
TV: ESPN2 (4 p.m. ET)
RADIO: MRN & Sirius XM Ch. 90 (4 p.m. ET)
FIRST PRACTICE: 11/14, 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1)
FINAL PRACTICE: 11/14, 4 – 5:55 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1)
QUALIFYING: 11/15, 1:15 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1)
GREEN FLAG: 11/15, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN 2)
Thursday, November 13
1:00 PM NASCAR Camping World Truck Practice NO TV
2:30 PM NASCAR Camping World Truck Final Practice NO TV
Friday, November 14
11:30 AM NASCAR Nationwide Series Practice FOX Sports 1
12:30 PM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice FOX Sports 1
2:45 PM NASCAR Camping World Truck Qualifying FOX Sports 1
4:00 PM NASCAR Nationwide Series Final Practice FOX Sports 1
6:15 PM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying ESPN 2
8:00 PM NASCAR Camping World Truck Race FOX Sports 1
12:00 PM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice FOX Sports 1
1:15 PM NASCAR Nationwide Series Qualifying FOX Sports 1
3:00 PM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice FOX Sports 2
4:30 PM NASCAR Nationwide Series Race ESPN 2
Sunday, November 16
3:00 PM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race ESPN
3:00 PM NHRA Pomona Qualifying (tape delayed) ESPN 2
7:30 PM NHRA Pomona Final Eliminations (tape delayed) ESPN 2
All Times Eastern Standard, Please Check Your Local TV Listings
2014 NATIONWIDE SERIES DRIVER POINTS
1. Chase Elliott 1,185
2. Regan Smith -52
3. Brian Scott -65
4. Elliott Sadler -66
5. Ty Dillon -74
2014 SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR POINTS
1. Chase Elliott 312
2. Ty Dillon. -46
3. Chris Buescher -83
4. Dylan Kwasniewski -147
5. Ryan Reed -155
NAPA: @theNAPAnetwork & @NAPARacing
CHASE ELLIOTT: @ChaseElliott
JR Motorsports: @JRMotorsports
For Chase Elliott Merchandise, please visit ChaseElliott.com.