Chase Elliott takes the win and points lead at Chicago

Nationwide series rookie, Chase Elliott, continues to impress this season. In just his 18th career Nationwide Series start, he captures his third career win and 13th top-10 finish, driving the No. 9, NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. Elliott led 85 laps en route to victory.

The win also moves Elliott back atop the points standings, a position he has already held earlier in the season. Elliott was asked how he adapts to tracks that he has never been to before so quickly. He responded, “Racing against Kyle and (Ryan) Blaney, we had an awesome race going on, I felt like so that was really cool, but just try to make the most of your practice laps and, like I said the biggest things is these guys  brought me a really fast race car and that’s the biggest thing, and that gives me time to learn the race track with out having to work on the car and do it at the same time, so it’s just a pleasure to drive these for JR Motorsports.”

Roush Fenway driver, Trevor Bayne, had one of the strongest cars in the field, but could not run Elliott down after a late race pit stop with 24 laps to go. Several drivers who had to make late race stops were hoping for a yellow to reset the field and give them a shot at Elliott.

The No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, driven this week by Sam Hornish Jr., experienced a rare engine failure early in the race. The team is competing for the owner’s championship and was leading those standings coming into this weekend. The 36th place finish allows the No. 22 Penske Racing Ford to close within five points in the standings.

Elliott scores the win, followed by Bayne in second, with Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne, and Ty Dillon rounding out the top-5.

Elliott is now the points leader, followed by teammate, Regan Smith and Elliott Sadler.

The series now travels to Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26.