Chase Elliott is hoping to continue what has proven to be a strong year for Georgia sports teams with his second NASCAR Cup Series title. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images Photo)
Chase Elliott is hoping to continue what has proven to be a strong year for Georgia sports teams with his second NASCAR Cup Series title. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images Photo)
NASCAR Cup Series

Elliott Hoping To Continue Strong Run For Georgia Sports

November 1, 2021

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott realizes this is a great time to be a sports fan in his home state of Georgia.
 
On Tuesday night, the Atlanta Braves will attempt to win their first World Series since the 1995 season.
 
The University of Georgia Bulldogs are the No. 1 ranked team in college football as they continue to power their way through the Southeastern Conference.
 
This Sunday, Elliott hopes to give Georgia another championship as he attempts to become NASCAR’s first back-to-back Cup Series champion since Jimmie Johnson won five-straight titles from 2006 to 2010.
 
If Elliott is successful in claiming the championship next Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, he would be the second driver from Georgia to win more than one NASCAR Cup title in his career. Tim Flock of Atlanta won the championship in 1952 and 1955.
 
Chase Elliott’s father, Bill, won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1988.
 
“That would be great and it’s certainly my goal,” Chase Elliott told SPEED SPORT Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. “I feel that our team is as hungry and wants to win as much as we did last year. We are really a pretty simple group and recognize what the goals are each week and what we need to do and don’t need to do. Sometimes we execute that really well and other weeks we don’t. I’m excited about it. A lot of racing left. This next week is tough with a lot of great competition. It’s a tough deal but I’m enjoying it.
 
“Stuff don’t last forever so enjoy it while it’s here.”
 
That is one reason why the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion is enjoying this season’s magical ride by his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves. The team had the worst record of any of the Major League Baseball teams that made the playoffs this season. But the postseason has seen the Braves eliminate the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Divisional Series and upset a Los Angeles Dodgers team that won 106 games to claim Atlanta’s first National League pennant since 1999.
 
The Braves are one victory away winning the World Series as they take a 3-games-to-2 lead into the game six at Houston on Tuesday night.
 
“It’s super special,” Elliott said of the Braves drive toward a championship. “Last year’s Cup championship for me was a little different. It was such a direct experience for me first hand. Being a fan of the Braves and being able to go watch, I already knew that was a big deal. The Braves have been trying to get back to the World Series for a long time and I already knew that storyline. I’ve been a fan long enough to appreciate that.”
 
Because the Braves run at the World Series title was so unexpected is want makes it feel so special to the team’s fans, including Elliott.
 
“For me, I was caught off guard,” said Elliott, who made it to Truist Park after Sunday’s race at Martinsville to watch the Braves play the Houston Astros in game five of the World Series. “When you are doing something first hand, it’s hard to step back and see it from a broad angle. My perspective is different being a Braves fan from being me in that situation. It’s different. But regardless, it’s a big deal for everybody around home. It’s super exciting. Myself like a lot of people have invested a lot of time pulling for the Atlanta Braves over the years and the heartbreak as well along the way.
 
“Yes, it’s a big deal and I’m glad to be supporting them right now.
 
“I really feel like the Braves are playing with house money at this point with the season with the season they have had, the ups and downs and injuries and how their playoffs they have had in the past,” Elliott explained. “They are an exciting team and at this point, they are playing with house money. They know more than any of us how much baseball is left to be played and how good Houston is, too. They are a dangerous team.
 
“But it’s been super fun to watch.”
 
Elliott said his favorite Braves player growing up was Chipper Jones. But who are his current Braves heroes from this year’s playoff team?
 
“Freddie Freeman has been around for a long time, and I really like Dansby Swanson,” Elliott said. “He’s been the guy I’ve had my eye on and grown to like as much off the field as on the field. He’s really genuine and a great guy and a great competitor, too. It seems like he really has his head screwed on straight and not only has his baseball priorities straight, but his life priorities straight, too. A lot of times that gets swept under the rug but, I appreciate guys like that, and he is one of them.”
 
In college football, the Georgia Bulldogs have been ranked No. 1 since Alabama was defeated by Texas A&M on Oct. 9.
 
“Yeah, man,” Elliott has said of Georgia’s No. 1 ranking. “It can all go South very fast. We always remember that, but it is super exciting. Those are my two teams. This is really cool. A lot of football is left to be played and there is a lot of baseball left to be played, too.”
 
And then, there are the Falcons, Atlanta’s National Football League team. The Falcons are having another mediocre season and after losing this past Sunday to the equally mediocre Carolina Panthers, the Falcons are 3-4 in 2021.
 
“I’m not a fan of the Falcons,” Elliott admitted. “I want to see them do good. The NFL side is a little different for me. But I’m a big Georgia fan. I’m more of a player guy in the NFL. I’ve been a fan of college football for a while, so I really enjoy seeing guys come through college and see where they go in the NFL. Different players leave Georgia and go to different teams in the NFL, and I want to see them do well and pull for them.”
 
When the leaves change color in the Peach State, it signals Elliott’s favorite time of the year to be a sports fan. NASCAR’s season is culminating with its championship race. College football is at full stride. The NBA and NHL seasons have just begun and the World Series is about to be decided.
 
“I love this time of year,” Elliott said. “Honestly, post season baseball is one of my favorite things ever. Obviously, the Braves being in it I’m paying closer attention, but I would be watching any way. 
 
“Sports right now, this is the best time there is. Everything is on TV. Our sport is very exciting and hopefully we’ll get a shot at another championship this week.”