Chase Elliott’s 2020, late-playoff charge a year ago — winning the final two and three of the final five races — delivered him a NASCAR Cup Series title that not only seemingly appeared out of nowhere but sooner than anyone expected.
At 24 years, 11 months and 11 days old, Elliott became the third-youngest champ in history. His first came at essentially the same age as all-time great Jeff Gordon (24-3-11). In 1950, Bill Rexford, 23, set the youth standard for champs.
Elliott’s victory offers NASCAR a much-needed burst of generational change, signifying a full break from the previous era dominated by Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr.