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Chase Elliott will stay in the No. 24 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports through the 2022 season in a four-year contract extension announced Tuesday afternoon.
The 2016 Rookie of the Year took over the famed No. 24 last season upon the retirement of Jeff Gordon. However, Elliott has been in the Hendrick family far longer, having signed with the company in 2011. He was 15 years old at the time.
In his first full season of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition, Elliott won two poles, including the Daytona 500, and qualified for the playoffs.
Through the first 16 races of the 2017 season, Elliott, who led the field to the green flag again in the Daytona 500, is sixth in the driver points standings.
“It means the world to me to be a part of this organization and I couldn’t be happier (about the extension),” Elliott said in a team press release. “I wouldn’t want to drive for anybody else but Hendrick Motorsports. I am very proud to be where I am, and I definitely take it upon myself to work hard and make sure I do my part for the company as we move forward.”
Hendrick Motorsports’ previous contract with Elliott ran through the 2018 season.
“As both a driver and a person, where Chase is today at 21 years old is unbelievable,” said team owner Rick Hendrick. “With all the expectations and pressure, he’s stayed focused on being himself and working as hard as he can.
“The pure driving talent has always been obvious, and he’s doing so many great things off the track. He’ll be a big part of our organization and our sport for many years. I’m looking forward to watching him continue to grow with us.”
In addition to being voted Most Popular Driver four times (2011 and 2011 in the K&N Pro Series East; 2014 and 2015 in the XFINITY Series), Elliott has also been voted in the All-Star Race in each of his first two seasons.
Earlier this year, Elliott also started the non-profit Chase Elliott Foundation, which provides support and financial assistance to charitable organizations that emphasize helping others live healthier and happier. The foundation has already raised more than $60,000 to support Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Elliott also has been part of a ticket sales initiative this season at several tracks, combining music and entertainment with ticket deals geared toward college students, called Chase U.