A Night Of Greatness: Pole Winner Chase Elliott Holds Off Ryan Blaney to Win Sunday Night’s Cook Out Clash
May 26, 2025 — Concord, NC
Under the bright lights and roaring cheers at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chase Elliott delivered a performance for the ages in Sunday night’s Cook Out Clash, holding off a dramatic last-lap surge from Ryan Blaney to take the checkered flag. The victory marked a triumphant moment for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who started from the pole and showcased his veteran poise throughout one of the most thrilling exhibition races in recent memory.
It was a night full of action, aggression, and anticipation as fans packed the stands for the annual non-points event, which often serves as a tone-setter for the second half of the season. And Elliott didn’t disappoint.
“This is one of those nights where everything just clicks,” Elliott said in Victory Lane, grinning ear-to-ear. “We had a fast car, great stops, and held our ground when it mattered most. It feels amazing to get it done under the lights in front of this crowd.”
A Duel to the Finish
While Elliott led the majority of the race, it was far from a cruise to victory. The final stage of the Clash saw Ryan Blaney, last year’s Cup Series champion, mount a furious charge in the closing laps. As the laps wound down, Blaney cut into Elliott’s lead, closing to within a car length with just two laps to go.
With the crowd on its feet, Blaney made his move entering Turn 3 on the final lap, diving to the inside in a last-ditch effort to steal the win. But Elliott, known for his calm under pressure, held his line perfectly and powered off Turn 4 with just enough momentum to keep the No. 12 car in his rearview mirror.
“We gave it everything we had,” Blaney said. “I thought we had him there at the end, but Chase just ran a perfect final lap. Congrats to those guys — they earned it tonight.”
Dominant from the Start
Elliott’s night started with dominance in qualifying, where he laid down a blistering lap time that secured him the pole for the Cook Out Clash. From the green flag, the No. 9 Chevrolet showed race-winning speed, leading 52 of the 75 laps in the short, sprint-style format.
His pit crew delivered flawless stops all evening, and his Hendrick Motorsports team had the car dialed in from the start. Despite several restarts and multiple challenges from top contenders like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano, Elliott never lost composure.
The Significance of the Win
Though the Cook Out Clash doesn’t award points toward the championship, the victory is still a meaningful boost for Elliott, who’s been on a mission to return to his championship form after an injury-plagued 2023 season and a slow start to 2025.
“This win isn’t just for tonight — it’s for the direction we’re heading in,” Elliott said. “We’ve been working hard to get better every week, and this is proof we’re making the right moves.”
For Hendrick Motorsports, the win also marks another triumph in a season that has seen all four of its drivers visit Victory Lane.
Fan Favorite Delivers
As one of the most popular drivers in the sport, Elliott’s win brought the crowd to its feet. Fans cheered wildly as he did celebratory burnouts on the frontstretch, and the atmosphere was electric as he climbed out of the car and waved to the grandstands.
“You could feel the energy tonight,” Elliott said. “These fans make this sport special, and it’s always an honor to give them something to cheer about.”
Looking Ahead
With momentum now firmly on his side, Elliott will look to carry this performance into next weekend’s points-paying race at World Wide Technology Raceway. For now, though, Sunday night’s Cook Out Clash will be remembered as a defining moment — a night of greatness when Chase Elliott reminded everyone why he’s one of NASCAR’s elite.
