NASCAR CUP SERIES: AMERICA 250 FLORIDA DUEL 2 AT DAYTONA

February 12, 2026

Chase Elliott

Press Conference

An Interview with:

Q. Chase, you said you wanted to get after it in this Duel. New body, feel it out. What is your opinion of it?

CHASE ELLIOTT: A great way to get the blood pumping for sure on a Thursday night. There was a lot going on those last handful, really ever since we came off of pit road after the cycle, we were getting after it. It was a lot of fun.

Had some great support there. Carson did a great job helping me control those lanes, helping get Team Chevy for Victory Lane tonight. Certainly owe him an appreciation for just kind of sticking with it, also pushing me well. It's real easy to get people out of control. Appreciate that.

Nice to get the NAPA Chevy a win. Not a 500. I've been here before and not the other one, so you have to kind of learn to take it a day at a time.

Look, a great way to start the speed week for our team. Proud of our effort, everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, the boss, from top to bottom. Their commitment and will to win it pretty darn high. Proud to be a part of their team.

Good night. Looking forward to Sunday.

Q. How does getting this win, knowing how your team executed, set you guys up for Sunday, trying to win your first Daytona 500?

CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, it's been a little bit of a rocky road. We've had a couple close opportunities. Fortunately we've won this race here tonight before, like I said. I'm excited, but I'm also kind of cautiously realizing what Sunday brings. Obviously that's the big prize we all want.

Certainly will enjoy tonight. We'll think about what we can do to do better. Definitely some things we can improve on before Sunday. The track is going to deteriorate. A bit warmer, sunshine being out. A lot to think about between now and then.

Appreciate effort. We'll be ready to come to work come Sunday.