Chase Elliott is enjoying quite a strong 2025 Cup Series campaign, building momentum that has positioned him as one of NASCAR’s most reliable drivers.
With a third-place finish at Sonoma Raceway, Elliott now holds the longest active lead-lap finish streak among all drivers. Just weeks after ending a 44-race winless drought with his victory in Atlanta, the Hendrick Motorsports driver delivered another solid performance at Sonoma last weekend.
How Has Elliott Maintained Such Remarkable Consistency?
At Sonoma Raceway, Elliott secured a third-place finish, extending his streak to 20 consecutive top-20 results this season. The last time he finished outside of the top 20 came during the Vegas fall race in 2024, when a suspension issue with his No. 9 car dropped him toward the back of the field. Since his breakthrough win in Atlanta, things have been running smoothly for Elliott and his Hendrick Motorsports team.
However, Elliott’s success extends far beyond simply staying on the lead lap. He has emerged as one of the field’s most consistent competitors this season. NASCAR Insights’ official page shared a list on X highlighting active drivers with the longest streak of lead-lap finishes this season. Elliott sits atop that list with an impressive 11 finishes.
Longest active lead lap finish streaks
(Minimum 3 races) pic.twitter.com/9zKOivQeh4
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) July 18, 2025
Following Elliott on the list is AJ Allmendinger with eight, while Chris Buescher holds a streak of seven consecutive lead-lap finishes.
At Sonoma, Elliott started from 13th position but quickly worked his way toward the front of the pack. According to NASCAR Insights, he ranked second in Passer Rating, third in Defense and Restart Ratings, plus scored well in both Pit Crew and Speed Ratings.
The race took an interesting turn when a caution flag flew with 14 laps remaining after Cody Ware lost a tire. Elliott’s crew chief, Alan Gustafson, made the strategic decision to bring the No. 9 car to pit road for fresh tires. The gamble proved worthwhile for Elliott’s championship hopes.
Elliott maximized the fresh rubber and nearly caught Chase Briscoe to claim second place. Unfortunately, he couldn’t maintain the charge due to extensive wear on his left rear tire. Despite this, the strategy still delivered another top-five finish for the No. 9 Hendrick team.
What Does Elliott’s Streak Mean for His Championship Hopes?
With 11 straight lead-lap finishes and 20 consecutive top-20 results, Elliott continues demonstrating the consistency that defines championship contenders. His confidence has clearly returned, while his partnership with Gustafson remains one of the garage’s most effective combinations.
Elliott is positioning himself perfectly for the playoffs discussion. With this level of consistency and performance, he’s emerging as a legitimate contender for the 2025 Cup Series championship.