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Martinsville Today
By the People, for the People
Chase Elliott Says Martinsville Win Doesn't Ease Pressure on No. 9 Team
The NASCAR Cup Series champion believes the early victory gives his team a longer runway to build momentum.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:41am
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The cubist deconstruction of a NASCAR race captures the high-intensity, multi-faceted competition that Chase Elliott and his team must navigate to maintain their championship aspirations.Martinsville TodayChase Elliott, one of NASCAR's most popular drivers, recently won the race at Martinsville Speedway. However, the 2020 Cup Series champion says the victory doesn't take the pressure off his No. 9 team. Elliott believes having an early-season win allows his team more time to stack up points and good finishes without the desperation of having to perform at an extreme level late in the year.
Why it matters
As one of NASCAR's most recognizable stars, Elliott faces immense pressure to perform and win races. Even with his Martinsville triumph, the driver feels the need to continue building momentum and scoring strong results throughout the season to maintain his status as a top championship contender.
The details
Elliott led the final 53 laps to claim the victory at Martinsville on March 29. While the win gives his team a boost, the driver says it doesn't mean the pressure is off. Instead, Elliott believes the early-season triumph provides his squad more time to put together a consistent, championship-caliber campaign without the urgency of having to catch up late in the year.
- Chase Elliott won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2026.
- Elliott will start 18th in Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 13, 2026.
The players
Chase Elliott
The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the sport's most popular drivers.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
A NASCAR Hall of Famer and former driver who also faced immense pressure as one of the sport's most recognizable stars.
Bill Elliott
A NASCAR Hall of Famer and Chase Elliott's father, who also dealt with high expectations as a top driver.
Bobby Allison
A NASCAR Hall of Famer and one of the sport's all-time greats, who experienced the pressure that comes with being a superstar driver.
Richard Petty
A NASCAR legend and seven-time Cup Series champion, who was one of the most recognizable and pressured drivers in the sport's history.
What they’re saying
“It's not like, 'Okay, we got a win, pressure's off.' That's not how I've looked at it. I've looked at it with, honestly, some excitement from the standpoint of, we have a longer runway to build on a win.”
— Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
What’s next
Elliott will look to build on his Martinsville victory when he starts 18th in Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The takeaway
Despite his recent win, Chase Elliott still feels the immense pressure that comes with being one of NASCAR's most popular and successful drivers. The early-season triumph, however, gives his team more time to maintain momentum and contend for the championship without the desperation of having to catch up late in the year.
