BREAKING NEWS: NASCAR Superstar Chase Elliott Signs Stunning 7-Year Contract Extension with Hendrick Motorsports
*“I’m a Hendrick guy through and through — and I’m here to finish what we started.”*
**April 30, 2025 | Concord, North Carolina | By Jason Miller, NASCAR Correspondent, SpeedWire**
In one of the most groundbreaking deals in recent NASCAR history, **Chase Elliott**, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and fan-favorite icon, has officially signed a massive **7-year contract extension** with **Hendrick Motorsports**, locking him in through the 2032 season.
The announcement was made at a surprise press conference at Hendrick Motorsports headquarters, with team owner **Rick Hendrick** and Elliott both present, flanked by Hendrick teammates and executives. It was a moment that solidified Elliott’s commitment to the only team he’s ever raced for — and sent a loud message to the rest of the garage: **the No. 9 car isn’t going anywhere.**
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### A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO LOYALTY AND LEGACY
Elliott, now 29, spoke passionately about his decision, calling Hendrick Motorsports his “forever home.”
> *“This team believed in me from the start. Mr. H took a chance on a kid from Dawsonville, and now, a decade later, I still feel the same fire. I’m not just signing a contract. I’m signing up to lead this team into the next generation.”*
The deal, rumored to be the richest in Hendrick Motorsports history, includes performance incentives, driver equity in team assets, and expanded involvement in team operations and driver development programs.
Rick Hendrick called the extension “a cornerstone move for the future of HMS.”
> *“Chase is the face of our team and a cornerstone of this sport. This commitment is about more than wins. It’s about building something lasting — together.”*
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### CAREER SO FAR: THE PRIDE OF DAWSONVILLE
Since making his full-time Cup debut in 2016, Chase Elliott has become one of the sport’s most recognizable stars. A second-generation driver and the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer **Bill Elliott**, Chase has carved out his own legacy:
– **2020 Cup Series Champion**
– **21 career Cup Series wins** (as of April 2025)
– **9-time Most Popular Driver**
– Multiple road course victories and playoff appearances
He is the undisputed face of Hendrick Motorsports’ post-Jimmie Johnson era and a key driver in NASCAR’s continuing push to expand its younger fanbase.
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### TIMING AND STRATEGY: WHY NOW?
Elliott’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of the 2027 season, but both sides reportedly began negotiating early after Elliott expressed interest in long-term stability.
Sources say the new deal was finalized over the past month, in part due to interest from rival manufacturers hoping to lure Elliott when his previous contract ended. However, Elliott made it clear — he never wanted to leave.
> *“There was no doubt in my mind. Loyalty still matters. I want to win more titles, and I want to do it with the people who got me here.”*
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### HENDRICK POWERHOUSE: A FUTURE BUILT AROUND ELLIOTT
With this deal, Hendrick Motorsports is positioning Elliott as the anchor of its next era. The current lineup includes:
– **Chase Elliott** (No. 9 Chevrolet)
– **Kyle Larson** (No. 5)
– **William Byron** (No. 24)
– **Sammy Hendrick** (No. 88, rookie in 2025 and Rick Hendrick’s grandson)
By extending Elliott, HMS ensures a balance of veteran leadership and youth development, with Elliott expected to mentor younger drivers and take on a broader role off the track.
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### SPONSORSHIP SURGE AND BRAND GROWTH
With Elliott locked in long-term, sponsors have already begun lining up to extend deals. **NAPA Auto Parts**, Elliott’s primary sponsor since his Xfinity days, immediately announced a multi-year renewal following the contract news. New partnerships are also expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, capitalizing on Elliott’s growing influence both inside and outside the sport.
Marketing experts estimate Elliott’s brand value at over **$50 million**, making him one of the most bankable athletes in American motorsports.
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### FAN REACTION: “CHASE IS OUR GUY!”
Across NASCAR Nation, the reaction was one of overwhelming celebration.
On social media, hashtags like **#Forever9** and **#ChaseStays** began trending within minutes of the announcement.
*“Couldn’t imagine NASCAR without him in the 9. This is the best news in years!”* wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Even Elliott’s longtime spotter, **Eddie D’Hondt**, weighed in:
> *“Been through the ups and downs with this kid. This move shows his heart, his loyalty, and his hunger to win more. Let’s go get another Cup!”*
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### WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHASE ELLIOTT?
With the ink still fresh on his contract, Elliott now turns his attention to the rest of the 2025 season. Currently sitting **7th in the points standings**, he’s on pace for his best statistical season since 2020, with two wins already this year at Circuit of the Americas and Martinsville.
More importantly, he now has the clarity and stability to focus solely on racing — with no distractions about his future.
> *“I’ve never been more locked in. This is my team, my family, and I’m going to give everything I’ve got for the next seven years.”*
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### A LEGACY IN THE MAKING
As NASCAR evolves and enters a new generation of talent and technology, Chase Elliott’s decision to stay rooted at Hendrick Motorsports is being viewed as both a symbolic and strategic statement.
It’s a message that echoes across the garage:
**The 9 isn’t done. The champ is chasing more. And he’s here to stay.**
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