NASCAR MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 4, 2021

Chase Elliott

Press Conference

An Interview with:

Q. The Braves winning a championship, what does that feel like?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I wish I could say I contributed in some way. But no, it was super cool, and really happy for all those guys.

Yeah, as a fan, it was interesting, I was talking to a buddy of mine, and it's just crazy your emotions and how different it is when you can't do anything about it. You're just sitting there watching. You're just trying to pull them through, but it was really cool.

The World Series, like I've told you guys a thousand times, post-season baseball is one of my favorite things to watch, so when your team is in it, it's super exciting.

Great week, big win for the whole city of Atlanta, and there's a lot of Braves fans kind of around the southeast, so it was really cool.

Q. You were watching as a fan and emotionally invested, and this week your fans have come out. Do you see a connection -- not see a connection, but do you understand loving something that much?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think it's awesome. I'm certainly not going to knock anybody for having passion for someone or something or a sport or a team or whatever it is. Whether you're on my side or not, I think having that passion of either loving someone or disliking them is good for everyone in this room, to be honest.

Q. The bulldogs are No. 1; the Braves won a championship. It's a good time for Georgia. Any pressure to keep it rolling?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't really feel any additional pressure, I'm just excited about it. It's awesome. The Dawgs and the Braves are kind of my two teams that I always pull for, and to see them having success is really cool.

And then on our end, to have a great opportunity this weekend, that's the most important thing to me. But yeah, just excited to be here and looking forward to Sunday and getting the weekend rolling.

I feel like we can go out there and have a really good run.

Q. Georgia sports fans are kind of conditioned that the sky is going to fall. Were you watching the Braves game thinking there's no way, we're up 7-0 --

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I was talking to a couple friends of mine. It was like a bad dream. I was waiting on something to happen. That was one thing that really impressed me about it was the majority of that team had never been to the World Series, and I just thought it was really cool the composure that they exemplified, and to be able to get the job done on the road like that, I've never done it, but I would have to imagine that would be a tough environment to play in.

Yeah, when they went up 7-0, I'm like, man, let's get this thing over with. They had some quick innings on offense, and I think part of me was like, oh, yeah, I would love to see some more hits, but the other part of me was like, let's get this done. Like the quicker it gets done the better.

It was fun to watch and I enjoyed it and glad I got to go to the games in Atlanta and see them win a couple. Wished they could have finished it off there, but who cares, they got it done.

Q. What is Chase Elliott like watching a clinching game?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I stood up for sure. I stood up and made some noise. I was just at home by myself watching. My mom -- I watched the first part with my mom a little bit, and then, yeah, I finished it off. It was getting pretty late. It was really cool.

Then obviously your phone starts blowing up there. I feel like no one said a word. I feel like we all just had this mutual understanding of do not say a word until it was over.

Q. You didn't want to jinx it?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, it was fun.

Q. What inning did you get there on Sunday?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I'm not sure. It was probably halfway through the game or something. It was fairly late.

Q. Were they ahead when you got there?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I think they were tied.

Q. You got your chance to win your first championship last year and it was your first appearance in the Final Four. Does it make this season, I don't want to say easier coming in here, but what does that do to help your preparation this time around?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think it's just more kind of going through the motions last year and just learning I think more about ourselves through that experience than it is anything else. We didn't have any experience with it last year and we were able to put our heads down and get the job done.

Hopefully we're even more prepared now and we can go and do it again.

Q. Have you seen the billboards around of you holding the trophy? Does it make it more real or kind of bring --

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, for sure. I haven't seen them in person, but they were showing me some pictures earlier, which is really cool. Yeah, it was a big weekend, honestly. It's hard to believe it was a year ago already. That's kind of nuts to me.

The great news is we don't just have to come and enjoy it and be done with it. We have another opportunity to try to do it again. That's where my head is at, and that's where our team's head is at, just thinking about that and trying to execute a really solid weekend.

Q. Does this week feel any different in terms of competition within the team over the last year?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Not really. I feel like our prep is -- we kind of prepare the same way as a group, and our team at the 9 car has not changed really any. Yeah, I feel like we're in a good place, and I feel like we've performed really well the last couple weeks. I don't feel like much has changed from that front.

Q. Are you at a point in your career -- this is probably unfair -- but your season is almost defined by whether you win the championship or not?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, that's my goal for sure, so anything short of that, we didn't accomplish our goals is how I view it.

Yeah, I mean, we want to go and win races and battle and win a championship every year. That's what we step out to do when we leave for Daytona. I don't think that's any different for anybody.

Q. You're going to get practice and qualifying, which you haven't had a lot of this year. What are you guys looking for tomorrow that's going to set up the rest of the weekend for you?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, great question. We haven't had a practice in a minute. We'll just have to wait and see, but hopefully make the right choices and kind of tune in what we feel like will be the best.

Obviously we set the car up and left the shop with what we feel is the best to line up and go race. This is how we would line up and go run the race if we didn't have any practice. We'll just have to try and improve that a little bit.

Q. Does going through this experience a year ago give you a little more calmness or is there still that nervous energy or excitement?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, like I said, I felt like we learned a lot about ourselves last year and really what we were capable of and how we could focus on the right things and go and ultimately get the job done, and I feel like our group has exemplified that that weekend and since.

I think having gone through that experience once, we can hone in on the things that matter most and make our car go as fast as possible and execute a good race.

I think just making sure you're focusing on the right things is really the most important piece of the weekend, and I feel like our group is very capable of doing that.

Q. Denny Hamlin said that if himself or Kyle didn't win the championship it would essentially be the disappointment of the season. Curious what your thoughts were on that and if it gives you a little bit more motivation to go out there and win?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, look, everybody has got an opinion. I don't make the rules for the format. The format is what it is. What I know is I have an opportunity to go and battle for a championship on Sunday, and outside of that, like I told you a minute ago, if it doesn't make us go faster I'm not concerned about it.

We have a motivation amongst our team to go get the job done, and that's where our focus is.

Q. Has it ever annoyed you that the new guy on the team won nine races?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. I mean, look, when people set out to go race and you do a good job and you execute races well and you don't make many mistakes, you should be rewarded for it. I'm not ever going to knock somebody for doing a good job behind the wheel or on the pit box or on pit road. When you do a good job, you should be rewarded for it, and rightfully so.

Q. Do you feel like racing a teammate feels the same as racing anyone else?

CHASE ELLIOTT: It does really. I mean, look, we both want to win this weekend. I would want to win just as bad if it was three other guys versus having a teammate in the bunch. Yeah, I feel like the will and the drive to win is the same.

Q. Do you think Larson has helped elevate the game as a whole at Hendrick Motorsports and really kind of pushed you, pushed Bowman, pushed Willy B?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, look, like I said, they've done a great job, and we all want to win. When it's not you, you want to improve. Yeah, absolutely, I think Kyle and Cliff have performed on a high level all season long, and they should be, and they have been rewarded for that.

Q. This is the last ride of this generation car. After this weekend, how much of that do you throw away?

CHASE ELLIOTT: It's a good question. Probably a lot of it. It was crazy, I was walking through the shop on Monday and Tuesday and looking at those cars, the last cars that Hendrick Motorsports built from the ground up, which is kind of crazy.

I don't know that a lot of people have thought about that, but yeah, things are going to change. We need to adapt and try to adapt quickly. I don't know how much of it'll translate over, but we'll see.

Q. Obviously like you mentioned, this is the last car that the teams have built from the ground up; how much of that's going to change in terms of like a shop environment next year?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I don't know until we kind of get going and see how the dynamic works. But to me there's a lot of unknowns about the car and I haven't really spent a lot of time reading into it yet, so we'll see.

Q. Do you feel like there's any more pride that comes with winning the final championship in this era of car?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, I think there's certainly drive to want to win always, but yeah, last car, you don't know how things are going to change or be next year, so yeah, I definitely think the environment is rapidly changing.

Q. This week has been a great week for you, obviously making the Final Four, but then your Braves win the World Series and you're on a high right now with everything else. Just your emotions coming in here as the defending champion?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, just looking forward to the week. Like I've said, obviously it was great to be a Braves fan this week and to watch our team get the job done was super exciting and fun and something I've never experienced before, so that was everything you would think it would be, right?

So obviously this is the most important thing to me is our race this weekend and trying to go perform at a high level. I think we're very capable of doing that. And yeah, I don't see any reason why we can't go be really good on Sunday.

Q. Were you in Houston?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No, no, I was at home.

Q. What will it be like to have qualifying and practice this weekend in the sense of in years past when you had practice and qualifying you see who's at the top of the board, or somebody can make a statement that way. What can that mean, and to be that top guy or not be overwhelmed after being that top guy?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think you can read into it as much or as little as you want. For me, I'm just going to focus on the way I want the car to drive and try to get it as close to that natural feeling that I want.

We'll get it as close as we can and we'll see where we stack up on Sunday. So this deal is not over until the checkered flag waves. We all know that. Getting tore up over how Friday goes is I think doing yourself and your team a pretty large disservice.

Q. It's a sold-out crowd at Phoenix Raceway. What do the fans bring to race day?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, that's what they were saying earlier. I'm super glad to hear that. I feel like Phoenix has been a great host. I'd like to see it continue to jump around, but I appreciate everybody out here in the Phoenix area supporting us and those that have traveled in to see it, too.

Been a great host, and hope it's a good show for them.

Q. Thoughts on if NASCAR does go to a long-term championship host, do you think Phoenix can be that viable, long-term host?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't think anybody should be a long-term host. I think this deal should move around. This is a great racetrack. Yes, it's a great area. Yes, the weather is good. Yes, it has all the right ingredients to be a good final weekend for us.

But we should share this weekend with other places around the country.

Q. Just to get back to this weekend a little bit more, do you feel a little more pressure being the defending champion, especially in a one-race deal?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I honestly don't. I feel really good, and I feel like our team is very laid back and ready to go try to perform at a high level. That's going to be what rewards you the most.

Again, if it's not going to make us go faster we don't care about it right now.

Q. With you being laid back, like you said, Hamlin got booed, he called out your fan base, and it was like, what the hell? You didn't even have a dog in that fight. Did that kind of surprise you?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, nothing -- I don't know that much really surprises me. But yeah, look, like I said, everybody has got their opinions and they're entitled to them and that's good and great and whatever. But again, like I said a minute ago, I think that passion for either liking or disliking someone is good like for everyone here, for me, for y'all, for the people watching, for TV.

It's good to have that passion, whichever side you're on. If someone is making noise, they care. Whether that's a cheer or a boo, they care. Relishing the fact that they're there to watch and they care about what you're doing.

Q. Was there a message -- we saw the Dawsonville poolroom sign. When you left -- or did you go by? Did you see anything before you left for Phoenix?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No, I didn't see anything. Nope, no special message this week.

Q. You're becoming the king of the comeback. When Denny fired one off, you fired back pretty quick. Is that in your nature? Most people would have to think about that kind of stuff.

CHASE ELLIOTT: No, I just try to speak my mind, I guess. I try to be pretty simple. I'm not very smart, so I just try to keep it simple and straightforward.

Q. We love it.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Thanks.

Q. Do you get a sense of a lot of times (indiscernible) late-racing start, so in a lot of cases maybe on older tires. What are the challenges here at this track, especially with the start-finish line especially where the restart line is? Is there anything in particular trying to get through a restart, especially in a late-race situation?

CHASE ELLIOTT: It is tough, and I've never seen a racetrack change the way it feels. Let me take that back. I would have never thought that moving the start-finish line could make a track feel so different, because I feel like it does here, and obviously the way it has impacted the restarts is a large piece of that.

How aggressive do you want to get cutting the apron and all those things. It is a challenge for sure. It's a fine line, but you've got to be aggressive. You want control of the race, and taking advantage of that is going to likely be a part of it.

Q. What did you learn from your championship run last season that you've been able to apply this season coming back?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Just focusing on the right things. I've said it a few times already, but if it's not something that's going to make us go faster, it really doesn't deserve our attention right now. That was really our mindset last year, and I feel like we proved a lot to ourselves and just what we can accomplish when we pull the rope in the same direction and focus on things that matter. I feel like that's where our head is at, too.

Q. It's been a while since we've done stuff like this. How important is it for you to interact with media and get your message out to masses of fans like we're doing here other than a Zoom call?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think there's a lot of ways to get your message out, but for sure for the sport, I suppose, it's good exposure in a way for people to talk about it and engage. I mean, I'd rather be here today than not.

Q. What was it like last year without so many fans here? There wasn't quite the buildup like this year with having things in person and such.

CHASE ELLIOTT: I think the buildup was still there. The same thing is on the line, right? Yeah, I don't -- I felt like there was still a lot going on just as far as what you could accomplish was still a big deal. I feel very similar.

Q. What has been the biggest way that Alan has been able to help you with the racing and the processes not being the same as it had been prior to winning the championship last year? I guess post-COVID, how have you guys been able to maintain a semblance of normalcy?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, I really feel like our group has just been the same. I don't really feel like a lot has changed. Our pre-race prep hasn't really changed since I started working with them. I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to say to that, but I don't think much has changed for us. Our group is pretty simple, and we go about our business and go on down the road.

Q. You were asked about the spin by Keselowski at Martinsville. You talked about how driving defensively kind of led to that. Is that something that's newer for you guys this year? Alan mentioned it, too, trying not to be on the defense at Martinsville. Is that like a new strategy or mindset for you guys, or is that something that's always been the case?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No, I think it's always been there. You can look at that a few different ways, but the way I view it is if I had made better decisions with our car and if I was going faster, you wouldn't have somebody close to you to have the opportunity to crash.

So that's nobody's fault but my own.

Q. What confused you at Martinsville?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, we were between a couple different changes on the car and I thought one was better than the other, so just kind of led us down the wrong path there.

Look, you're talking very fine-tuned changes. Just felt like I didn't make the right choice, and that's what happens.

Q. So the crew chief was right?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't think anybody was -- it wasn't like an argument or anything. We just -- at the time I felt like one direction was better, and ended up not working out that way.

Q. Is that something that you learned that helps potentially for here, or was that just more track specific, something you were just doing at Martinsville that doesn't --

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't know how much of that translates. I think it was just more kind of like specific time, that moment, those conditions, that day. It was the wrong direction.

Q. This weekend do you feel like it's you against the other three, or do you feel like it's more Hendrick versus Gibbs?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Neither. I mean, I just want to go and try to have a good race and try to win. If we win the event, then the rest will take care of itself.

Q. Why do you think you're going to win? What do you think gives you the best advantage to win back-to-back championships?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I think for us, I feel like we're very capable. I've said this a lot, but I just feel like when our group is at our best, I feel like we can run with whoever. I've felt that way for a long time, and I've been really proud of the way we've run the last couple weeks.

Had a really strong car at Kansas, had a really good car at Martinsville, and there's no reason why we can't go and have a shot to win this thing.

Q. Are there some things you might normally do in a given weekend in terms of teammate interaction and things like that, does that kind of go out the window? Or do you still try to help?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I think it stays the same. We're going to have our same meetings we typically would. I don't foresee a lot of that being much different.

Q. Has it been that way all week leading up to it?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah. Everything has been the same.

Q. Was there added motivation going into this week with all the recent Georgia sports success? Does that fuel the fire even more, especially with the Braves just winning days ago?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, that would be great. Obviously that was exciting as a fan to watch, and I would love to bring another one back home and enjoy it with everybody. But yeah, for sure. Obviously the Dawgs are good, too, so we'd love to have a good weekend.

Q. Do you get a chance to watch a lot on them play on Saturdays?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I try to. It just kind of depends on the weekend obviously, travel schedules. This weekend might be tough with our qualifying stuff and time change. But yeah, I try to every chance I get.

Q. Are you going to any upcoming games with the Dawgs?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't have any plans to right now, but we will see as they close it out.

Q. I know you've already been asked this, but how and where did you watch the Braves win?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Just on the couch. On the couch, and watched it like a lot of other people I would say.

Q. How did you get there post-Martinsville, down to that game?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I just went home like normal and drove down to the stadium.

Q. What has the anticipation been like for you this week knowing that a second straight championship is on the line?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, for us, like I've said, it's a great opportunity, and we're just focused on trying to go and be really fast on Sunday. It's really pretty simple. If you get car driving good tomorrow and have a good qualifying effort, means you get a good pit pick, and then have your car driving to where you're really balanced on Sunday, you're likely going to be in for a good day.

Q. Would you say like having the added pressure or competition to having a full three-day weekend of practice and qualifying versus just having the race?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't think it's going to really change anything much. I feel like the same guys are going to be good whether you practice for 15 days and 14 hours of practice or you don't practice at all. I think the good team and the good driver stepping up and adapting to different circumstances is likely going to prevail. Probably 10 times out of 10 times.

Q. How did you approach last year maybe versus this year differently in terms of the championship race? Knowing what worked last year to prepare for this worked for you. Like how do you approach this year?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, well, the good news is we haven't changed a thing from my first race at HMS with Alan and the 24 team to now, or last year. Our prep and how we kind of go about things hasn't ever changed. I don't do anything any different.

Q. I know it's the championship race, but you have to have it in your mind that this is a different race weekend than others.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, obviously the stakes are higher for sure. The opportunity to win something is larger than it is on other weekends. However, the path to getting there is very much the same. A fast race car, good decisions, executing a really solid race. All those things are going to lend you the best result, and this year, this weekend, and this year is no different.

Q. Your routine going into this weekend, your mornings, do your routines change from qualifying to race weekend versus previous race weekends?

CHASE ELLIOTT: They honestly don't. Our prep is very much the same since I walked in the door to Alan's office versus what it is now or going into the championship weekend last year. Our kind of approach is very similar, and that's the way we like it. And right, wrong, or indifferent, that's the way it's going to be.

Q. But the intensity is different. You can't tell me waking up this week is just like last week. Are there things you forget to do because you're so focused on Sunday in Phoenix?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. I mean, if it's not going to make us go faster, probably doesn't deserve your attention this weekend. That's kind of how I feel about it. Yeah, we're just focused on our race car and trying to put together a really good race, and that's going to lend us the best result, so that's what matters the most.

Q. It's basically Joe Gibbs versus team Hendrick out there, so if it's you and Kyle needing to help each other to beat the other two, I am assuming you're going to go for it, but what if something comes in the way and there's an accident that's going to happen? How do you approach a situation like that?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I don't know. You try to position yourself the best you can to win the race. Whatever happens happens.

Yeah, try to have good decisions or try to make good decisions, have good decision making, and see where we end up. But the best thing is to have a fast car, and if we do that, I think the rest will take care of itself.

Q. Is there anything you're doing to prepare differently for either your teammate Kyle Larson or for the two Gibbs driver in Hamlin and Truex?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. My prep is very much the same.

Q. Would you wreck someone last lap if you're in second place to get the championship?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I would prefer just to be fast enough where you're not behind them in the first place.

Q. Denny was over there saying he thrives off chaos swirling around in his life, that he likes it, uses it for fuel. What do you thrive off of? What gets you going?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I thrive off just focusing on the right things, and this week it's about -- like it is every other week. Look, if it's not going to make us go faster then I just don't care about it. It's not that I don't want the chaos or whatever. Like I just honestly don't care. If it's not going to make us go faster, it doesn't matter. That's just the fact of what it is.

I just want to do a good job for my team. I want to go out here, have a good day of practice. I want to lead us in the right directions on the car. I want to get the car driving as close to that naturally good feeling that I want, go out there, have a good qualifying effort, have a nice pit pick, and then put together a solid race on Sunday, and that's going to lend us the best result.

If it's not improving either one of those things, then it doesn't matter.

Q. So fewer distractions?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Whether they're there or not, you have to focus on the things that are going to make you go faster, and that's really all that matters to me.

Q. What's the respect level between you four? Last week there was a lot of talk about you four being deserving. What's the respect level between the four of you?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I think it's fine. I feel like it's a good group. I think we can all go race really hard and put on a good race and race clean and all the things. Yeah, I don't have anything bad to say about anybody.

Q. There's drivers who look at a second title as validating or a second title puts you in a more elite group in the Cup Series. What would a second title do for you?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, it would be fantastic. I think it's obviously hard to say when you haven't accomplished that. It's kind of hard to say what if and how would you feel when you don't know, you haven't got there. Hopefully we have the opportunity to get there and can find out. We'll see.

Q. With this being the resin, coming in here, does that help you feel more confident going through this race with that package?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, I think whatever they put down in the second lane is going to be an advantage. So we typically go find the grip and, if the grip is in the second lane, that's where you're going to go until it wears off, and then you might come back to the shorter distance. We'll see.

I'm going to pay close attention to the other races and see how it changes and how the guys kind of work it and move around.

Q. It's two Hendrick cars and two Gibbs cars; have there been any discussions about will Alex be able to help you or --

CHASE ELLIOTT: No, I mean, obviously we all want to win. I don't know that anything really trumps that. They've always been respectful and vice versa, too. When the shoe is on the other foot, as well, I feel like Kyle and I have been, too. I think it'll be a good dynamic.

Q. My biggest question since last weekend is how in the world did you get approved to race a sprint car?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, well, the good news is the boss has been letting me go and fiddle with some other stuff. Still kind of finalizing the details, but yeah, just want to go try new things, so why not.

Q. What's it been like for you with Kyle and has he been in your ear --

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, every time I've gone and raced that stuff I always try to lean on him a little bit. Obviously he's very good at it and has had a ton of experience with it. It's just not really a discipline that I grew up doing. It's pretty far removed from kind of the style of racing that I did growing up, so you try to lean on that knowledge. Why not, if he's willing to help.

Q. Speaking of that, how neat is it that owners these days are more open to kind of having their drivers compete in different disciplines compared to where it was at the beginning of your career or even before you came into the Cup Series, that it was just focused on one discipline and nothing else?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, why not? It's good. I think the more diverse you can be, the better.

Q. Going into the race this weekend, it's kind of billed as the battle of the two biggest teams. Has there been any talk about any split strategies or anything to get Hendrick to the winner's circle?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. I feel like it's kind of -- everybody is kind of on their own. We all know that we need to go and put together a good race to have a good result, so hopefully we have four fast cars and hopefully Kyle and I can battle it out for the win.

Q. Any extra pressure with trying to repeat?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. There's really not. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity and excited to be here this weekend and trying to put together a solid few days at the track and a really solid Sunday.

Q. What would it mean to go back-to-back?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I don't know, because I haven't done it. Great question.

Q. There's been a lot of chaos in the Larson household. Now that you know that his daughter is available for a new favorite driver besides William Byron, how do you sway her?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to.

Q. She was rooting for William Byron to win last weekend.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, was she? I haven't kept up with it. Yeah, I would love -- it would be great. I'll take all the help I can get.

Q. Bring her to the Chase side?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Why not?

Q. How did you not die out there at the state capitol in your firesuit in the middle of the sun?

CHASE ELLIOTT: It was pretty nice outside I felt like.

Q. You weren't burning up?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Nope.

Q. NAPA has been a strong supporter of you all the way back to Xfinity. What does it mean to have a sponsor with that much backing?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, they've been great. They've really changed the course of my career, honestly. I can't really say enough nice things about them, but they've been a great partner and have enjoyed getting to know the folks in Atlanta and the folks around the country.

Really appreciative of what they've done for me and try to make those guys proud.

Q. Any thoughts on doing any other forms of racing? Would you be interested in any INDYCAR or off-road racing or anything?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, maybe. I'm all about trying new things and looking at different disciplines, so we'll see.

Q. Obviously you've got a large family. Did you communicate much last week?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't a ton. Every now and again.

Q. I'm curious, with all the stuff that's been going on lately you're being cast as some kind of bad guy. You didn't come up as a bad guy. You're the guy in the white hat. What's going on?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I'm not sure. I just try to go and do my job, go on down the road, try to go as fast as I can go and try to make my team and the folks that support me proud.

Q. Why Dawsonville? Why do you stay in Dawsonville?

CHASE ELLIOTT: It's just home. I enjoy the area. I feel like it's a good area, convenient area logistically. Nice weather; get all the seasons. Just home.

Q. When you get to come to Phoenix, I know you don't get to stay long typically, but what's your favorite part about coming to Arizona? Is there anything you like to do here or do when you come?

CHASE ELLIOTT: The weather is typically nice this time of year, so I enjoy that aspect of it. Pretty low chances of rain in general out here, so that's good. Likely going to have your events on time and not have a rain delay. Yeah, probably the weather more than anything.

Q. Any go-to restaurants or anything like that?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I can't say I have one yet, no.

Q. Alex Bowman bug you about going down to Tucson ever or does he not want to go either?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I haven't really talked to him about it, to be honest with you. So no, he hasn't.

Q. Individual title aside, does this feel like the battle of the best teams since there's only two in it?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, two teams, I've gotcha. Yeah, I feel like the four guys that are in it are four really good teams, and I feel like everybody is very capable of going to win on Sunday.

I'm just -- for us, we're just focused on trying to go and put together a really solid weekend. Like I've been saying, execute a good race and focus on getting our car to drive it like we want it.

Q. Hendrick has won more races. Do you feel like ya'll have an advantage over Joe Gibbs?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I feel like it's anybody's game this weekend.

Q. Is there pressure, especially now that you're here, to defend your title?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. My drive and will and want to go be successful is no different today and this weekend than it's ever been. I still want to go and achieve the ultimate goal. Whether you have one championship or 10, I think you still want to go and try to win just as a competitor.

Q. What's this week been like prep-wise, especially back at the shop? Kyle was saying you maybe even spent more time together than during the regular season.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I feel like our prep has been similar just from a 9 team perspective. We haven't really done anything different. Yeah, we're just ready to go and excited to get to the track tomorrow.

Q. I'm curious if you watched the expanding battle (indiscernible) championship throughout the season and kind of what their predictions are, the competition overall?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I keep up with it. For sure I think it'll be a good battle. I feel like when you get to this last race, I feel like it's kind of anybody's game really, and that goes for all three series. You're one crash away from taking multiple guys out. I think we've been pretty fortunate as a series and as a sport that we haven't seen that yet, but at some point down the road that can happen. But I think it'll be a good battle for all three series.

Q. Are you going to race a sprint car?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Talking about it. Kyle has been trying to talk me into it for a period of time, so we'll see.

Q. What would be the pros and cons of doing it?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I think it would be fun to do something different and to kind of try to be more diverse and try new disciplines. I'd love to give it a shot, but we'll see. He's been telling me that it would be good and you'd have fun and all those things. We'll see. Let's get to this weekend first.

Q. Who's stopping you?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No one really, I don't guess. Just a matter of kind of ironing out the details and whatnot.

Q. By the end of the day Sunday do you think having practice and qualifying will help make a difference in the championship?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. I don't.

Q. Do you look at it as an opportunity for you guys or does it matter?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I don't think it matters really at all. I don't think it has changed the results of any races over time. I feel like the teams who are good, the drivers who are good, who can adapt and make the right choices throughout an event are going to be rewarded and are likely going to be successful, and I don't think having practice and qualifying is going to really change that much.

Q. Does it change the flow of the season since most of it has been...

CHASE ELLIOTT: A little bit. Traveling on a Wednesday versus a Friday or Saturday is different, so a little bit from that standpoint logistically. But outside of that, no.

Q. I want to ask you about the Braves; where were you when you were watching the game, and what were your feelings after the final out.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I was at home and just probably excited and nervous like everybody else. It's different when you sit there and you're a fan and you can't do anything about it. I'm just watching, hoping for the best, like everybody else, I guess as a Braves fan. But it was fun. I've never experienced that.

I love baseball. Love watching post-season baseball. When your team is a part of it obviously it's way for exciting. It was a good run and happy for all those guys.

Q. How does it feel to be the fan of a champion? You don't get that -- I mean, I'm from Maryland; I'm an Orioles fan. We haven't won since '83. You get a feeling after your team wins. What was that feeling?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, no, just very proud. Proud to be a fan and proud of the way they did it, too. I don't think anybody really expected them to win, so it was really cool.

Q. Braves won; Georgia is top of the SEC; now you're in the championship. Georgia is doing well.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, well, the Braves got it done, so the job is not done for the rest of us, but certainly have a great opportunity.

Q. When did you get to Game 5 after Martinsville?

CHASE ELLIOTT: It was probably like halfway through the game. It was pretty late.

Q. Is tomorrow -- I mean, the last seven championships that the champion came had to win the race. Is this a must-win tomorrow, and if so, why?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I think, yeah, you're likely going to have to win the race to win the championship. That's the way it's been. At some point in time I would say that might not be the case. The right circumstances might lead to the champion not having to win the event. But you don't know until you kind of get going and see, but the way it's been so far, the winner has won the deal. Likely it will be the same.

Q. Is it me or is this side of the room a lot more calm on that side of the room? How do you keep yourself so much more calm than the other drivers?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't know. People have heard me say this, but if it doesn't make us go any faster I honestly don't care. That's just kind of the way our group is. We try to keep things really simple. I'm just focused on what I feel like is going to make our car drive good and what I can do to have the best results on Sunday.

Q. Do you consider that a strength?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I consider that how I am. So whatever it is, that's what it is, and it's probably not going to change.

Q. Do you think a lot of that comes from your dad? Your demeanor is kind of like your dad's. Do you feel like you got it from him?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I'm not sure. I feel like I've been surrounded by a lot of really good people and racers over the years, but more importantly good genuine people to learn from, folks who have had their priorities in line.

You try to feed off those good examples when you have them in life, and I've been fortunate to have some good ones.

Q. What's the biggest surprise you've seen this season, win, lose, or draw tomorrow, not necessarily the championship, but what surprised you most about this season when you look at your team or anybody else?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I'm just trying to think. I don't know, has anything really been a big surprise?

Q. Martin talked about the competition this season.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah.

Q. I don't know if anything stood out in your mind.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, nothing really stands out to me, honestly.

Q. Can you compare this year to last year? Basically speed of the car, how you feel, the experience of having won a championship already and how all that plays into what's going to happen on Sunday?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think having gone through the motions last year, I feel like we learned a lot about what's important and how to perform in a big moment I think is a nice thing you can carry with you forward. On the same token we didn't have any of that experience last year and it worked out okay.

I feel like for us, we just dive into what matters and the guy who goes the fastest and runs the best race and executes a good day on Sunday will be rewarded, and that's where our focus is.

Q. Is it significant to you at all that you would be the first since Jimmie and only the second in this century to win back-to-back championships?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I hadn't really thought about it, but yeah, it would be great. It's everyone's goal, and we're in a nice position to have an opportunity to go back-to-back, so proud to be here, and excited to get going.

Q. Can you focus on long-run speed again or do you have to mentally prepare this weekend for that late race restart?

CHASE ELLIOTT: You're probably going to have to do it in both honestly. I feel like most of the time you've got to be able to get going on the short run, but you also want your car to be balanced on the long run. But you can achieve both, so both would be my answer and my want.

Q. Does winning last year give you a decent boost of confidence going into this weekend, or is last year completely different?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I feel like it's different in a lot of ways. Like I said earlier, I think you take those experiences and some of the things you learned last year and you try to apply them to better yourself now, however it is a different year, it's not last year, right, so you take what you can to better yourself, and out side of that it's a new weekend, new opportunity and new time.

Q. Is there something that stands out from last year that you're consciously taking away into this weekend?

CHASE ELLIOTT: No. I just think just focusing on the right things. It's a busy week. There's a lot going on. I think it's easy to let your mind stray from the things that really matter. I think you've just got to stay honed in on what's going to make you go fast on Sunday, and if it's not that, it is irrelevant.

I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it a thousand more. That's all we're worried about.

Q. In terms of performance, do you think that the balance between you four this year is closer than it was last year?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I think it's anybody's game. I think any time you get to that Final Four, I feel like it's anybody's game. I feel like all four guys can be really fast, and I think that'll be the case every year for as long as they do this.

Q. What about schedules? We didn't have a whole lot of practice and qualifying this year. Do you like that? Do you think we need less practice going forward? What's the perfect schedule for 2022?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think less practice for sure. I just don't see where it changes a whole lot. Obviously having a new car is a little different, but outside of that, if you have something and have a package that you've had for a period of time, I just don't see any need in wasting the time and money.

I just don't see where it changes the event all that much. I don't think it changes it at all, to be honest.

Q. What about qualifying?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I feel like typically the fastest guy ends up winning the race anyway. I feel like 400 or 500 miles later, who cares. Typically it works itself out in my experience.

Q. Do you feel like you have that mindset because you're younger? Martin was like practice makes a difference and whatnot.

CHASE ELLIOTT: I don't know. I've just watched racing enough to know that the good drivers and good teams, when they get to a track that might be their strong suit or just have a really good weekend, wind up on top.

I just don't think it matters if you practice for 10 hours or none. I don't think it's going to change who's good and who's not.

Q. Denny says the car is not going to change that much once you show up to the racetrack.

CHASE ELLIOTT: I tend to agree. I just feel like I can count on one hand, probably less than one hand, that we showed up at the racetrack and we were really bad when we started and we were really good in the race. It just doesn't happen.

Q. Martin said the opposite, where he can count multiple times he's showed up not performing well, they worked on it, and then he won the race.

CHASE ELLIOTT: Different mindsets. But hey, that's just my opinion. Everybody is titled to theirs.