Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t one to hand out praise lightly—especially when it comes to the pressure-cooker world of NASCAR’s top level. But when asked recently about the state of Chase Elliott’s career and whether the 2020 Cup Series champion still has what it takes to reclaim his spot among the sport’s elite, Earnhardt didn’t hesitate.

He believes in Elliott. Fully. Unequivocally. And, as he put it, “the dude was super consistent all year long.”

For Elliott—one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, a perennial fan favorite, and the face of Hendrick Motorsports before Kyle Larson’s explosive rise—Earnhardt’s endorsement comes at a pivotal moment. With fans, analysts, and even rival drivers debating whether Elliott’s time at the top has passed, Earnhardt’s comments have reignited a conversation about potential, pressure, and the razor-thin margins that separate good drivers from great ones.

And Dale Jr., a man who has seen generations of talent rise and fall, says the story isn’t finished.

A Season of Quiet Strength—And a Countdown to the Breakthrough?

While Elliott may not have returned to the victory lane dominance he once enjoyed, Earnhardt argues that the foundation is there—and stronger than most people realize.

“Before Larson, he was the guy at Hendrick,” Earnhardt said. “The talent hasn’t gone anywhere. The speed hasn’t gone anywhere. He just needs timing and momentum to line up.”

Indeed, the data backs him up. Elliott’s 2024 season wasn’t filled with fireworks, but it was consistently solid from start to finish: top-10 runs, near-miss podiums, strong playoff moments, and a level of consistency that often gets overlooked because it lacks the attention-grabbing theatrics of big wins.

But in NASCAR, consistency is often the precursor to elevation.

Teams see it. Owners see it. Analysts see it. And Earnhardt sees it most clearly of all: the makings of a resurgence brewing beneath the surface.

The Larson Factor—and the Weight of Expectations

Elliott’s rise to stardom came during a transitional era for Hendrick Motorsports. For a period, he was undeniably the face of the organization. The wins flowed, the confidence was palpable, and the No. 9 car became a weekly threat everywhere from road courses to superspeedways.

Then, Kyle Larson joined the team—and the entire competitive dynamic shifted.

Larson brought raw, almost effortless speed to every track. He delivered wins in clusters. He absorbed headlines, trophies, and attention at a pace not seen since Jeff Gordon’s prime. Hendrick suddenly had two superstars—and Elliott, for the first time, had a teammate whose natural pace rivaled and sometimes outshone his own.

But Earnhardt says the narrative that Elliott faded because Larson emerged is wrong.

“Larson’s incredible,” he said. “But Chase didn’t fall off. The field just got tighter, the margins got smaller, and the competition got fiercer. People confuse that with decline. It’s not.”

According to Earnhardt, what Elliott needs isn’t reinvention. It’s rhythm.

Momentum.

A spark.

One win that breaks the dam.

The Mental Battle Behind the Wheel

Earnhardt is one of the few figures in the sport who understands the mental toll of expectations better than anyone. The son of a legend, a superstar himself, and a driver who lived through intense public pressure, he draws parallels between his own career and what Elliott may be facing.

“The hardest part isn’t the driving,” Earnhardt said. “It’s the noise. When you’re young and winning, the pressure feels light. When people expect you to win every week, that feels heavy. Chase can get back to the top—but it has to come from blocking out everything and getting back to instinct.”

For Elliott, the scrutiny has been especially harsh at times. Every slump becomes a headline. Every mistake becomes fuel for critics. Every near-miss gets framed as evidence of decline.

But Earnhardt believes the critics are jumping the gun.

“Chase is a champion,” he emphasized. “Champions don’t lose it. Champions recalibrate.”

The Fans Haven’t Given Up—and Neither Has Dale Jr.

Elliott’s supporters have remained steadfast. The No. 9 fanbase is one of the most loyal in the sport, and although frustration surfaces on rough weekends, the belief in his comeback remains strong.

Earnhardt shares that hope—and says it’s rooted in something real.

“Chase is too good, too smart, and too competitive to stay where he is,” he said. “There’s another gear he hasn’t hit yet. And I still believe he’s gonna find it.”

It’s not blind optimism. It’s a veteran reading the sport, the trends, and the driver’s mindset.

And he’s not alone.

Team members have echoed similar sentiments. Rival drivers note Elliott’s improved communication and confidence. Analysts highlight subtle performance gains. The garage whispers—not about decline, but about potential energy ready to convert into results.

2026 and Beyond: A Defining Chapter Ahead

As NASCAR hurtles toward another season, the spotlight will inevitably swing back to Elliott. Each track will carry questions.

Is this the week he breaks through?

Is this the moment the momentum shifts?

Will Dale Jr.’s prediction come true?

Earnhardt says yes—and says it with the conviction of someone who knows the sport inside and out.

“He’s closer than people think,” Earnhardt said. “All it takes is one race, one run, one moment. And once he gets it… watch out. Chase Elliott isn’t done. Not even close.”

For Elliott, the path back to the mountaintop may be steep—but it’s far from impossible.

And with champions backing him—on and off the track—the comeback might be closer than anyone realizes.