This past weekend the chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup raced through the sport’s hometown of Charlotte for the Bank of America 500. Being the last night race of the year, this race had a bit more of a party atmosphere than many races throughout the 36 race calendar. This year, the party was even bigger as the Charlotte Motor Speedway and NASCAR Rookie of the Year contender Chase Elliott have partnered to create a groundbreaking new ticket package geared specifically toward college students.
For just $24, college students gained access to the block-party themed tailgate outside of turn two, just feet from where cars will roared by at over 170 MPH. Before strapping in to the No. 24 NAPA Chevrolet, 20-year old Chase Elliott joined fellow millennials to interact and play games, such as corn hole.
Chase was kind enough to take a few minutes this past weekend to talk with Belmont Abbey College’s Motorsports Club leaders, where he spoke about his excitement for Chase U.
“I thought it would be something neat to do and try to get engaged with, and it might be a good opportunity to have some college students have a cheap opportunity to have a good time, I think for me is the bottom line. You just wanna offer them a good chance and a good place to go and have fun and that’s what it’s all about.” He said that if Charlotte, and then the next event planned for Talladega in two weeks go well, you can expect to see more events of this caliber and for the initiative to grow.
The rookie son of 1985 NASCAR Champion Bill Elliott is still seeking his first win as he also hunts for his first championship. Chase said he was looking forward to racing in NASCAR’s hometown in front of a lot of his Hendrick Motorsports crew and their families. “Charlotte is a neat place. I enjoy night racing so I think it will be cool to have that race there under the lights and hopefully we’ll put on a good show for the fans.”
Be sure to listen to highlights of the interview below, where he also talked about what it’s like to be a 20 year old competing at such a high level, how racing in the Cup Series is more difficult than other arenas of motorsport, and the one driver he looked up to most (other than his father) growing up – the answer might surprise you.