LONG POND, Pa. -- This weekend, Chase Elliott will tackle the "Tricky Triangle" for the first time in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car.
Elliott has had a strong start to his rookie season, already logging four top-five finishes and nine top-10s within the first 13 races of the year. Among active drivers, his nine top-10 finishes are tied with teammate Jimmie Johnson for the most top-10 finishes through the first 13 races of a rookie season.
Currently eighth in the season point standings, Elliott feels as though he is in a "decent" spot, with some weekends having been better than others.
"The way I see it is yes, you can ‘points’ your way in," Elliott said of making the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. "But to have a shot you’ve got to be a consistent contender to win races. And I think we have a little bit of work to do to be among those consistent contenders that have the ability each week and those are the guys you’re going to have to beat when it comes this fall."
Elliott has run consistent top-10s in the last four events, including at Talladega, where he claimed his second pole position of the year. His career-best finish was third place at Dover International Speedway.
The 20-year-old rookie said he knows he as the team behind him to remain a solid, competitive force throughout the season. Perhaps even a force competitive enough to land that first victory.
"I feel like I have a team and a group of guys that are capable of winning if I do my part for them," Elliott said. "I truly believe that. I think that’s something that’s important for all of us to believe. And if we didn’t believe that, we might as well stay home. That’s the mindset we have coming into each race weekend, regardless of where it is."
This weekend at Pocono, Elliott will look to land his No. 24 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet SS in Victory Lane.
"We’re going to give it our best effort to do that and if we do, great," he said. "If we don’t, it sure won’t be for a lack of effort.”