NASCAR fans might look back at Sunday afternoon as the moment Chase Elliott crossed over from electric youngster to true heavyweight.
The 24-year-old needed to win at Martinsville to make the Cup Series Championship 4 for the first time in his career, and he did so in style, leading the race for a career-high 236 laps en route to victory.
Elliott, who is heavily scrutinized as the son of a former NASCAR fan favorite, became emotional about the feat when he soaked it in moments after grabbing the checkered flag. This was the most important showing of his career. Nothing else comes close.
"Oh my gosh," Elliott said. "Biggest win ever for us. I'm just so proud. To be backed in a corner like that and to win tonight, I feel like that's what we've been missing these past four or five years, to perform when we don't have a choice."
"Headed out there with a shot to win the title. What more could you ask for?"@ChaseElliott faced elimination, but with a win at @MartinsvilleSwy advances to the championship race. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3R6BNZTUf5
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 1, 2020
Elliott joins Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski in the Championship 4 at Phoenix. His previous best Cup Series finish was fifth place, meaning he's already assured the best season rank of his young career.
Elliott has never won a race at Phoenix, but he did place there as runner-up in 2017.
MORE READING FROM MARTINSVILLE
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Elliott's crew almost chokes away title shot
Reactions to Harvick's shock elimination