Chase Elliott signs contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports

Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports have agreed upon a contract extension that will keep the second-year Cup Series driver with the team through the 2022 season, Hendrick announced Tuesday.

Hendrick promoted Elliott, 21, to Cup last season to drive its No. 24 car following Jeff Gordon’s retirement. Elliott won Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 and earned a playoff berth in NASCAR’s 16-driver postseason field. He is currently sixth in the 2017 series points standings and well-positioned to again make the playoffs. His best finish is second (three times) in 57 career starts.

“As both a driver and a person, where Chase is today at 21 years old is unbelievable,” team owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement. “With all the expectations and pressure, he’s stayed focused on being himself and working as hard as he can. The pure driving talent has always been obvious, and he’s doing so many great things off the track. He’ll be a big part of our organization and our sport for many years. I’m looking forward to watching him continue to grow with us.”

The son of Bill Elliott, a former Cup champion and member of the NASCAR Hall of Famer, Chase Elliott is regarded as one of the sport’s rising stars. At age 18 he won the 2014 Xfinity Series title, making him the youngest driver to win a NASCAR national division championship. That success made him the obvious successor to drive the No. 24 car when Gordon announced he would retire following the 2015 season.

Elliott’s contract was set to expire at the end of the 2018 season.

“It means the world to me to be a part of this organization, and I couldn’t be happier (about the extension),” Elliott said. “I wouldn’t want to drive for anybody else but Hendrick Motorsports. I am very proud to be where I am, and I definitely take it upon myself to work hard and make sure I do my part for the company as we move forward.”

Elliott’s extension, along with Jimmie Johnson recently agreeing to a new deal, solidifies two spots on Hendrick’s four-driver lineup. They must still name a replacement for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is retiring at the end of the season, and questions persist whether Kasey Kahne will return to the organization after a prolonged slump that last saw him win a race in 2014 and miss the playoffs the past two seasons.

Kahne currently ranks 21st in points, and likely needs to win one of the 10 regular season races remaining to qualify. He is also lacking sponsorship for 2018.