Could one of NASCAR's brightest stars be calling it quits sooner than we think? Dale Earnhardt Jr. certainly believes so, and his prediction about Chase Elliott's future is turning heads.
Chase Elliott, a fan favorite and NASCAR Cup Series champion, has captivated audiences with his skill and charisma. With 21 Cup Series victories and seven consecutive Most Popular Driver awards, he’s undoubtedly a legend in the making. But Earnhardt Jr. has a bold theory: Elliott might retire earlier than expected, leaving fans wondering what could have been. And this is the part most people miss—Earnhardt Jr. thinks Elliott might simply disappear into the hills of Georgia, saying, 'Alright y'all, you'll never see me again.'
But here's where it gets controversial: Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t think Elliott will stick around long enough to join the elite 60-win club, a milestone recently achieved by Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Hamlin’s 60th win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past Sunday placed him alongside legends like Richard Petty and Kevin Harvick, while Busch’s 60 victories sparked a heated debate on Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast. The question on everyone’s mind: Who’s next?
During the podcast, Earnhardt Jr. and co-host TJ Majors discussed potential contenders like Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski. While Larson and Logano have impressive win counts (32 and 37, respectively), Earnhardt Jr. believes only Logano has a shot at reaching 60. But here’s the kicker: Earnhardt Jr. thinks Larson won’t race long enough to hit that mark, and Keselowski, with 36 wins, will be lucky to reach 40.
Is Earnhardt Jr. right, or is he underestimating these drivers’ longevity? Logano, at 35, shows no signs of slowing down, and Earnhardt Jr. predicts he’ll easily surpass 50 wins, possibly landing around 55. But Logano’s relentless focus on racing could keep him on the track until he’s 50, making him the most likely candidate to join the 60-win club.
As for Elliott, Earnhardt Jr.’s prediction raises more questions than answers. Will he walk away from the sport while still at the top of his game? Or will he prove the skeptics wrong and chase down more victories? What do you think? Is Earnhardt Jr. onto something, or is Elliott’s legacy far from over? Let us know in the comments!
