“I’ve struggled”: Chase Elliott gets 100% real about NASCAR’s Next Gen era

NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott doubled down on struggles since the NextGen era arrived. The introduction of the NextGen machine, NASCAR’s eighth-generation race car, brought about one of the most significant changes in NASCAR's history.

Several drivers, including former Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, have struggled with the NextGen car. When asked which driver the NextGen car had hurt the most, Elliott didn’t say Busch’s name. Instead, the Dawsonville native said that it would be unfair to pick drivers who have benefited from the NextGen car.

“I feel like it's probably unfair to pick people who have benefited, because who's to say those guys wouldn't have adapted and become successful in the other car that might not have necessarily had as much success before,” Chase Elliott explained. “I look at William (Byron), and I think that's unfair to say about him because he was still pretty fresh in his career. He's obviously had a lot of success in this car, but I think he was on track to have that success anyway. So, by the numbers, it points toward him, but I don't like that.”

The symmetrical design of the NextGen car, which emphasized mechanical grip, was nothing like anyone had seen before. The right-side force and the right-side skew weren’t there anymore, so the drivers had to give up driving off the right-rear tire. Unfortunately, that was a skill many had already specialized in.

“As far as who it's hurt the most, I don't know. I've struggled. I would put myself as someone who has struggled with it as much as anybody. But it's a work in progress,” Elliott added.

2026 marks the car’s fifth year in competition. All eyes are on the 58th running of the annual Daytona 500, which happens to be the first points race of the season. Scheduled for February 15, 2026, the 500-mile event will be televised on FOX, with live radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

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UniFirst announces seventh year with Chase Elliott’s No. 9 team

Chase Elliott will carry the UniFirst No. 9 Chevrolet in five races in 2026. The Wilmington, Massachusetts-based workwear company will serve as Elliott’s primary sponsor starting with the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on March 22.

Following Darlington, Elliott will drive the iconic livery at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, Richmond Raceway on August 15, Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, and again at Martinsville Speedway on November 1.

“I’m eager to see what 2026 has in store for our No. 9 team after a solid 2025,” Chase Elliott said in a team release. “We’ll have the UniFirst colors on board at tracks where we had some promising runs last year, and that makes me confident we can build on those and hopefully get UniFirst to victory lane in the process.”

UniFirst is also the official workwear provider of Hendrick Motorsports, as well as its sister company, Hendrick Automotive Group.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua