← Outta Pocket with RG3
Outta Pocket with RG3
Chase Elliott GETS REAL on Why He Wants Another Championship + MJ's Influence on NASCAR's Popularity
00:35:39
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- [00:00]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
All right, people, welcome to out of pocket with RG3, hosted by your boy and the lovely 125 time all American Greta
- [00:10]
Greta Griffin
today.
- [00:11]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Oh, my goodness. We got NASCAR royalty in the building, people. He's been named one of NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers. He's the third youngest Cup Series champion ever after he won it in 2020. And the driver who has dominated the fan vote as the most popular driver year after year. He's the son of hall of Famer Bill Elliott, but he didn't ride Legacy. He built his own Lane. Nearly 200 miles per hour. When the pressure hits the red line, he delivers. When the moment gets loud, he gets faster. He's one of the most respected competitors in motorsports today. The one, the only, Chase Elliott is in the building.
- [00:46]
Chase Elliott
Let's go. Man. That was a killer intro. You did good. I appreciate that. It was. You hyped me up, so thank you.
- [00:53]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Nah, listen, we, we love to show love where it is warranted, and you have earned that, especially coming off your victory at Martinsville, your first victory of the season. Thank you. Appreciate you, appreciate you. You know, Massachusetts, all that stuff, but
- [01:07]
Chase Elliott
it's also close enough.
- [01:08]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
It's also the first win for, for Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports for you, and it positions you really as a serious championship contender again. And that leads us to what's that opening drive. Let's get it rolling.
- [01:19]
Greta Griffin
As Robert mentioned, you got your first win of the season in Martinsville. How dangerous is your team right now compared to the rest of the field?
- [01:27]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, I, I like where we are. I feel like, yeah, our season's been kind of up and down. Like we've had some weeks where I'm like, man, we. We're really where I. Right where I want to be. And we've had some weeks, not so much, but Martinsville was certainly a really good one. And our season is so long. Like, you have to kind of like you have to sit back and, and pump the brakes a little bit because it is a. It is great to have a win. We've never had a win this early in the season. Like, all those things are awesome, and I do think our team is in a good place. But peaking at the right time is really important. And I think for us, it's just, it's a great foundation for us right now to just build and try and keep putting, you know, keep stacking some wins and do it early so it, you know, it's not like one of those things where you can just say, oh, yeah, you know, we have a Win like, we got it figured out because the year is just way too long. So it's, it's great. I think we're in a good spot, but a lot of, lot of racing left and, and a lot of room to, to improve yet, too.
- [02:28]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
You know, Chase, I'm a, you know, I'm a, I'm a big NASCAR fan. Have been for a really long time, ever since the, the Dale Earnhardt days, the. The Jeff Gordon rivalries. But I'm a football guy right at heart. And what you just mentioned sounds like to us about what the Kansas City Chiefs have kind of gone through. It feels like, in regular seasons in the past five years, where it's like, you know, man, we got to get to week 17 first before we can, you know, really start to, like, lock in and do things the right way. What do you think changed for you guys from the beginning of the season up into this win at Martinsville?
- [03:00]
Chase Elliott
Well, I don't think much really changed at all. I feel like we've, we've been in a pretty good spot. There's been some high spots throughout the season. You know, we had a really close call at Daytona, which would have been, you know, a incredible way to start the year. Fell short of that. So that was a huge bummer and let down for us right off the rip. And I was really proud of the way we recovered from that, because that was one of those things that, that could really hang over you, I think, for long time as a team, if you weren't careful. And I feel like, fortunately for us, like, we just, we have enough experience. We've been doing it long enough, and we just kind of all understood how long the season was that we were able to get back into a good groove. And that showed at Vegas. Thought we had a great shot to win the race at Vegas. Came up a little short, you know, behind Denny there. And yeah, Alan made a great call at Martinsville and got us in a position to, you know, to grab the win there. So, yeah, like, it's been, it's been really solid, but I don't think anything has changed. I think more than anything, it's. It's just been how we kind of rebounded from the rough first week, and I think that says a lot about just the resilience of our team and in the sense of a kind of a mental standpoint of being able to just to reset, lock in, and go back to work. So I was really, really proud of everybody that. That goes to the track with us for, for being able to, to do that and accomplish, you know, what we did a couple weeks ago.
- [04:21]
Greta Griffin
You, you said earlier that you're clearly a NASCAR fan. I'd never been to a NASCAR race until we went to the one in Austin. And you said your season is long, but also your one single race day is so long. Oh, my God, I had no clue you guys were actually driving for that long. Like, how do you. Like how. What kind of mental preparation does that take?
- [04:41]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, it's a good question. And yeah, I have, I have one for y' all too, after being there, because I, you know, I appreciate y' all coming out as well. I'm curious to get your take. But, you know, I think from, from our perspective, it's. You're right. It is like the season is a marathon. It's from February to November. It's a long year. And, and I think, you know, a big piece of it is the season is extremely long from a calendar year standpoint, but there's, you know, only one race a week. Right. And, and so there's, there's big gaps in between. And I'm sure you went through some of this as well on the football side. It's like you have, you have a bad day or, you know, a bad race or a bad game. Like, I want to fix it right now. I don't want to wait seven days to, to fix it right. And, or to get another shot. But our long. I guess I've been doing it long enough that it's kind of my norm. I, you know, I'm prepared each week for, you know, three and a half, four hour race. And that's just kind of what NASCAR has always been. So, yeah, I don't really know any different. That, that's just kind of, that's what it's always been to me. So that part of it, I think is pretty normal. But, you know, certainly the, the year can drag on and then, especially in those summer months, if you're not careful, so important to always leave a little bit left in the tank for those last 10 or 12 weeks.
- [05:56]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That's a. By the way, because when we were there, when it comes to the NFL, you know, playing professionally, you know, you, you're on, but like pregame, you know, we're in there, the fans are around, don't get me wrong. But like, you can be selective with, like, who you interact with. You know, you got your family on the field, you're warming up, you're doing your whole thing, and then you're in the locker room and from that point on, it's like, it's go time. But you guys are not that way. Like, I mean, you guys are mingling with, with the media, mingling with the special guests, talking, you know, that the racers meetings. You guys are talking to everybody. You know, obviously you got to deal with some of us who, who end up coming to the different cars, like right before the race. And it's like, until you get in that car, you're basically a salesman. It's not that way in other professional sports, especially not in football. How do you guys, how did you get used to that first and foremost? And then how do you maintain your mental capacity? Because you're also racing, as you said, three to four hours and you, you don't get a water break. You know, I know the pit stop. But Dan, that's not like being off the field for five minutes in the NFL when the defense is on the field, how do you maintain being locked in so that you can go be the best you can be?
- [07:03]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, it's a, it's a great question and honestly, it's one that I have a hard time explaining to people all the time. It's, it is so unique. And I think that's one thing that, you know, NASCAR is extremely well known for, the amount of access that, that we give to our fans. And I think, you know, there's definitely two sides of that because, you know, being a race car driver and, or any sport, right. Like there are obligations outside of what people see on tv or, you know, for us, there's more than just driving the car or, you know, more than just the competition side. Right. Like, we are very much a corporate driven sport and you know, we rely heavily on great partners. And you know, fortunately for a lot of us, we, we do have great partners and we want to take care of them because ultimately they're taking care of us. Right? So you want to make sure that they're getting the bang for the buck that, that they're spending and if that's taking care of guests that they have at the racetrack that weekend, like, you just want to make sure that those folks are having a good time and, you know, are out there enjoying themselves. But then, you know, that competitor side of you is, is so, you know, it can be cutthroat. It is, you know, definitely there's a time to lock in and there's a time where all that stuff, you know, becomes second to the main job and the main focus. And that, you know, for me is sometimes challenging. And I would say a lot of us would probably be in that same boat because. And it's something that you learn, but, man, it can be tough. But flipping that switch from being able to mingle and, you know, take pictures and smile to being the type of competitor that I personally feel like I have to be to go succeed is very, very different. And it's probably not super healthy to go from. To go from one to the other, but it. It is, to me, essential. And. And I think it's something that, you know, you have to be able to turn that off and turn that on. And I'll admit I don't do the best job of it some weeks, but, you know, always try to. Always try to be true to, you know, myself, I guess, first and foremost. But when it's time to go get in the car, I just always want to make sure I'm giving my team everything I have. Like, if I'm. If I'm coming up short in that regard, I feel like I've. I've failed that day. So, yeah, it. Flipping the switch is tough, but it is. It can be a difficult thing to lock in all day, but, you know, the reward is being able to go race cars for a living. Right? And. And that part of it is definitely keeps you coming back. It's tough. It's very difficult. You know, the competition is extremely high, and when you have a good day, it makes it all worth it, you know, and that part we enjoy.
- [09:48]
Greta Griffin
What's. What's one thing that people get wrong about what actually wins races in nascar?
- [09:54]
Chase Elliott
Well, that was one question I had for y', all, too. Kind of was like, what, you know, what was your. What was something that you had right going in, and what was something that maybe you were surprised by, but we can get. I'll ask that in a minute. But, you know, I. I think for us, the races are just. You kind of touched on it a minute ago, and. And I think so often people think of NASCAR racing and they think of, you know, going fast and turning left or like, just, you know, death grip in the steering wheel, going as fast as you can go for four hours. And that's just totally. Could not be more inaccurate. It. It's really. It's more like a golf swing or more like the craft of throwing a football and, you know, the right type of spiral if you're trying to, you know, get a pass in there quick on a short route or trying to drop on over a certain coverage, like, all those little details. We are very much trying to do the same things driving the car. And it's not. It's these little sensations that you have in your butt or in your feet or your hands and you're just trying to like, marry all those things up together at the right time. So it's so much more about the craft and, and those small little sensations than it is just going as fast as you can go and hoping for the best. And I think that part people probably don't understand to the level that, that it really is about.
- [11:17]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Did he say gut or butt?
- [11:19]
Greta Griffin
But yeah.
- [11:21]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
What. But sensations are.
- [11:23]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, well, fair and fair. Fair maybe. Bad choice of words. But you know, like, I want to know. Like.
- [11:33]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
No, no, no, no, no. I just. I know what he means because we have the same thing as football players.
- [11:38]
Chase Elliott
Yeah.
- [11:39]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
It was just a good follow up. This is what. I don't know. What, what. Yeah, in the race, it.
- [11:43]
Chase Elliott
Well, you know, for us, we're sitting down, right? Like, we're, we're sitting and driving for a long period of time. So, you know, the bottom of the seat is the closest thing to the ground that, that you have. So that's a pretty normal term for race car drivers is like what you're feeling in your butt and the seat and like all that stuff that, that, you know, is, is moving really fast, like right below you. And so, yeah, just small little sensations. And you're always looking for, you know, you're just trying to time it up and make it all as perfect as you can from corner entry to how you, you know, get across the center of the corner and getting your angles right. There's just a lot that, a lot of little details that people probably don't. Don't pick up on.
- [12:24]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I mean, listen, I just learned something today. I didn't know that.
- [12:27]
Greta Griffin
Does your butt, Derek, just die? Because I know you're not sit. Beautiful cushion over there.
- [12:31]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Like, that's like.
- [12:33]
Chase Elliott
It is. Yeah.
- [12:35]
Greta Griffin
Fortunately, my butt dies. Yeah, I'm with you.
- [12:37]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, I'm with you.
- [12:38]
Chase Elliott
Yeah.
- [12:39]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
The fun of it all. Let's do it.
- [12:41]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, we're. Yep, yep. We. We're following up, baby. Fortunately, we actually are pretty comfortable. Like all of our seats are. They're molded to us, so they're all very custom. Okay. Yeah. Honestly, I, I'm more comfortable in my, you know, race car than I am in a streetcar going down the road. Like, it, it's, it's, it's a pretty comfortable. It should be because like you asked earlier, the races are very long. So if you're uncomfortable in there, you're in for a Long day.
- [13:13]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, no doubt.
- [13:14]
Greta Griffin
One thing that you asked, what surprised us the most? I guess for me, it was the speed of. The speed of the car, because when you watch it on tv, it does not look that fast. And then when they brought us down to the box for the start and the cars took off, I looked around like, oh, my God, like, that has to be terrifying. Like, for me as a fan, that was terrifying to watch. You guys go that fast into a turn and it turns not like, here going that way. It's here back. Like.
- [13:42]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, almost 180 degrees the other way. Yeah.
- [13:45]
Greta Griffin
Turn in Austin is like that. You go up it is, and it comes back.
- [13:49]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, 100.
- [13:50]
Chase Elliott
Like, yeah.
- [13:50]
Greta Griffin
That was super surprising to me because, like, on tv, the cars do not look that fast.
- [13:54]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, it is. And I think that's just, you know, one of the cooler experiences about motorsports in general is feeling that speed and. And witnessing that firsthand is kind of hard to replicate and see that on tv. So I always tell people it's worth seeing at least once or twice, you know, like, just go get an appreciation for it, understand it, and then you can kind of watch it on TV and be like, man, hey, like that. I know that that's different than what it looks like right here, and it just gives you a little different perspective of it. But, yeah, for us, I would say it's not so much the speed. Like, I don't get a thrill from going fast anymore. Like, that part is. And honestly, I would say every. Like, all the drivers would tell you this. It's not. I'm not like, oh, man, we're doing 200 miles an hour. Like, that's just, you know, that's not crazy. You know what I mean? But.
- [14:42]
Greta Griffin
Well, in Germany, on the Autobahn
- [14:45]
Chase Elliott
fair, I think you just become so much more competition driven. Like, it's just. It's like when you're going down the interstate and you're all doing 85, you don't feel like you're doing 85, you know, or doing 80. It's very similar for us. Like, we're doing 180 or 200, but we don't. You don't really think about it until you hit something, and then you realize you're going fast. But yeah, so just just different. Just such a perspective thing that I think you. You do need to witness to understand.
- [15:14]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
And you've been doing this for a while now, and you talk about, like, the competitiveness of it and the strategy, like, from your experience, what wins races now, that didn't win races 10 years ago.
- [15:24]
Chase Elliott
Oh, man, I think you have to be probably more perfect today than I think you had to be 10 years ago. And by perfect, I just mean in all areas of. Of everything that we do. Like, I think there were some voids ten years ago that. Where you would look at today and you'd be like, man, that's. That was easy money. You know, if we had done this or that. And when you look at it today, it's like, man, you know, the cars are all super close from a competitive standpoint. The speed is really close. So when that happens and you have these cars that are all so similar, it becomes really hard to be different. And it puts a lot of emphasis on all the tiny details, like how fast her pit stops are, you know, are we getting in and off pit road efficiently? Like, all these small little things that you probably weren't even. I mean, you. You knew about them 10 years ago or 15 years ago, but you weren't putting the type of emphasis that you are today right on them. So I would say just the. The level of detail that we are at right now is. Is as high as I've ever seen it to. To perform well. So there's just not, you know, there's not many stones left unturned. I don't feel like today's. In today's, you know, racing world.
- [16:41]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, I feel like that's true amongst all sports. You know, I think this NBA conversation, the NFL conversation, it's like the detail, the advanced training, like, the margins are so small now. You know, whereas before, you could be 230 pounds as a defensive tackle in the NFL 20 years ago, 30 years ago, now you won't see anyone. They're. They're all dang near over £300 playing in there. So I think that that's a conversation that. That really doesn't just span nascar, but it spans all sports of how competitive it has gotten, especially with the access to information.
- [17:15]
Greta Griffin
You have. You have won the popular driver award multiple times, just like your dad used to. Does that add pressure to you or does, like, kind of give you a freedom?
- [17:24]
Chase Elliott
I would say neither. Like, I don't. I don't. I've never felt any pressure from it, like, to go. And like, I want to go do a good job regardless, you know, And. And I think that works on the other side, too. Like, I, you know, fortunately, I guess, or unfortunately, some days I'm pretty, You know, I'm. I'm a pretty fierce competitor. I'm pretty hard on myself, like, I want to perform at as high level as I possibly can, I feel like, and I feel like I'm capable of doing that. So I just, I feel like I hold myself to a pretty high standard and I've always, I've always expected a lot from myself and I think because of that I don't really, I don't put a lot of emphasis on just the outside opinion or noise or any of that stuff really anymore. There might have been a time coming along where you thought about it some, but with experience and with time, I think that you learn what matters in life a little more in sports, certainly. And when you really start boiling the things off that don't make a difference, it's pretty easy to look inwardly for lot of those answers. And yeah, definitely proud of, of our approach with that.
- [18:35]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I think that might be why the fans love you. You know, it seems like you connect really well with the fans. Why do you think that is?
- [18:41]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, it's a good question. I mean, I, I, my family has had a, a huge, you know, spot in our sport for a long time. My dad, you know, left a huge impression in, in racing. His brothers, my grandfather was involved in, in racing as well, kind of helped them get their start and I think for them, probably more about them than it is about me. Because, you know, truthfully, my story is way different than what theirs was back in the day. I mean, they were, they were a group of, you know, three brothers from North Georgia who kind of did things their own way and, and were small town guys and went and had success and on NASCAR's biggest stage, like, that's a really easy story to, to get behind. Right. And, and for people to like kind of that underdog story. And so for me, my, my story was very different. Right. You know, my dad had great success in the sport and you know, because of that I got interested in racing and definitely, why wouldn't I want to at least try? And you know, fortunately there was enough success to lead to some more opportunities for me. But I've always looked at it as an opportunity to kind of carry our family's history and heritage forward the right way, but also the way that I think they would want me to do it. And to me, as long as I'm doing things and going home and you know, dad being proud of something that I did, or Uncle Ernie being proud of something that I did or said or whatever, then to me that's a, that's a win. You know, if, if I'm doing things the way that they would see fit because things are totally different today. And so, yeah, that's kind of how I've looked at it is really just a continuance and an opportunity to kind of carry their name forward.
- [20:24]
Greta Griffin
What's. What is something that your dad taught you that has the most impacted your career?
- [20:28]
Chase Elliott
Well, I think there's really been more, I've learned more from him, I would say, than not. And, you know, we've done a lot of racing together over the years. It's really been difficult to pick one thing because I think most things that I've learned throughout my time have come from him. But truthfully, I, I, I would say a lot of it probably away from the racetrack more than, than on track. Just, you know, how are you handling things? You know, as we talked about earlier, a lot of obligations like balance and some of that stuff is, is, it seems simple and, you know, seems easy. It's not some days, like being able to put things in the right categories and prioritize what you need to prioritize to do a good job. So all that stuff, you know, I think dad has, and his experience and he lived it and, But I will say he's also let me mess up, you know, and he's let me figure things out on my own, which I think has been important too. So, yeah, it, A little bit of both, but I'm appreciative of both sides of that.
- [21:27]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That's awesome. That's good.
- [21:28]
Greta Griffin
Yeah.
- [21:29]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I'm more than sure, you know, I can't, I can't speak for you, dad, obviously, but I'm more than sure he's proud. Proud of what you've been able to accomplish thus far in your career. You know, there's a, there's a certain contingent of fans out there that believe NASCAR needs more stars, like, really more than ever. How do you feel about that? Do you think there's a need for NASCAR to build itself back up in that way?
- [21:50]
Chase Elliott
I think if it's natural, yes. You know, I think number one most important thing we can, we can do is stay true to ourselves, because I think as soon as we go and we start trying to be something that we're not, you might as well forget it. And, you know, I think that that is the, the most important thing that we can do as, as a sport and as a group and as a whole. So whatever that looks like, as long as it's natural, absolutely. Let's have, you know, let's have stars, but you can't, you know, stars and anything don't they're not fabricated. Like, these things happen organically. So, yeah, it's an easy thing to say, hey, yeah, we need more stars, but what are we going to do? Go, you know, make a wish list, you know, or, you know, genie in a bottle? Like, I don't know how you do that without just letting it happen. So, I mean, I totally understand the. The argument. I don't disagree. I think it would be super healthy for our sport, but I think those things have to happen on their own. And the best thing we can do, again, is stay true to ourselves, let our racing and the entertainment value of our sport speak for itself. And if people are in tune and enjoying what we're doing and are entertained by the events and the shows that we're putting on, stars will be created from that. And I think that all starts with the entertainment and the show that happens on the weekends and what that looks like to the casual viewers.
- [23:14]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That makes sense.
- [23:15]
Greta Griffin
Talking about stars, it leads us to our viral spiral, number one. And we're talking about Michael Jordan's impact on nascar.
- [23:22]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah.
- [23:23]
Greta Griffin
Do you think Michael Jordan has made nascar. How do I say? Cooler? Like, do you think people will actually show up just because MJ is there, or do you think that's, like, pushing it too much?
- [23:34]
Chase Elliott
It's a good question. I. I think that it is a great thing for us as an industry to have somebody like MJ be involved, just from the standpoint of, you know, the impact he has on sports in general. I mean, the guy is who he is, right? Like, I don't know that it gets much bigger than. Than mj. And I think for him to. To me, the coolest part about him, and I don't know him very well at all, my interactions with him have been incredible. Just simply, you know, there's been times where he's, you know, give me a high five or shook my hand or. Or give me a pat on the back, and I'm like, man, how does he even know? Like, how does he even know who I am? You know what I mean? Like, so for me, those are some really cool moments that, you know, that guy cared enough. I don't race for him, you know, or. Or whatever to say hey, or to, you know, lift you up. But his genuine joy that he gets from racing is so childlike. I love it because he was picking people up.
- [24:39]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [24:40]
Chase Elliott
Like. Like, you can see it. And. And I just think it's amazing that, you know, he grew up watching it. Grew up loving it. Right? And I think that that Totally comes out and his ownership and his impact that he has on. On his race team. And I also think it's a little bit of a competitive thing for him. Like, he's a super competitor and. And he wants to win, and. And I think that our sport loves that. I think our sport needs that. But kind of going back to us staying true to. To what we're doing, I think the. The biggest thing that works for Michael, being involved, is that he. He is being true to himself by being a part of our sport because he loves it that much, and I think that's why it works, and I think that's why they're doing well, too.
- [25:23]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
No, there's some people out there that think that he saved NASCAR with the lawsuit, you know, that he filed and ended up winning. How do you feel about that part of it and how mj, along with you guys racing the way that you do and staying true to the sport can really help the sport of NASCAR continue to grow globally?
- [25:43]
Chase Elliott
Yeah, I mean, I wasn't super in tune with. With the lawsuit and the things that went on there. I think there's. There's. There's a lot of layers to what we do, and. And certainly, you know, I don't have ownership inside a race team to know what some of those conversations look like on the back end. Right. Like, I'm. I'm layered down a couple steps from that, so that one's a little above me. But I do think that, you know, from. From his perspective, he's a super competitor, like I said a minute ago. And if you have a guy that, you know, takes that type of, you know, competitive edge that he had throughout the entirety of his career and what made him great, and you inject that into what we have and, you know, collectively put those things together, I don't see how it could be a bad thing. So.
- [26:31]
Greta Griffin
All right, Jace, we have a segment called the Hot Seat where you're on the hot seat. And it's just a quick, quick question, Quick answer.
- [26:37]
Chase Elliott
Okay.
- [26:38]
Greta Griffin
What's the hardest track to win at?
- [26:41]
Chase Elliott
I think that depends on the driver. For me, it's been Darlington. First off. It's an extremely tough racetrack, I think, for everyone. For me in particular, it's been a struggle. I don't always. If I had that answer, I would have fixed it, I think, a long time ago, in fairness. But some places just, you know, are tougher for. For some people than they are others. And I would say that one's been as tough as any, you know, for. For us for the last few years.
- [27:10]
Greta Griffin
What rule would you change in NASCAR tomorrow if you could?
- [27:13]
Chase Elliott
Oof. This is a, also a popular question, one I don't have a lot of great answers for that are going to keep me from getting in trouble. So I, I think that from, I'm, I, I enjoy it. I do think some of the races can be a little too long, and, you know, I, I think that some of the races can, can be a little lengthy.
- [27:35]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Okay. What driver do you trust the most?
- [27:37]
Chase Elliott
I'm good friends with Blaney, so I would say, I would say Ryan. You know, most guys are, they're all pretty good. Like, I mean, there are definitely guys that, you know, you trust a little more than others, but for the most part, you know, the field is, is, you know, pretty talented.
- [27:52]
Greta Griffin
What do you trust the least?
- [27:55]
Chase Elliott
We'll skip that one today.
- [27:58]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I, to the one you had before. Blaney is actually the driver whose car our daughter picked out at the Austin race, and she loves, she loved watching him race. So that's cool that you guys are friends. What's your favorite track to race at?
- [28:10]
Chase Elliott
Probably Bristol. I, I, I love going to Bristol. That place is just so cool. And, you know, I'm a huge sports fan. I, I, I've, you know, grow up, love. I grew up watching all of it, right? Like, just loved all of it. And for me, being a NASCAR guy, which, and, and growing up watching sports and football and all that stuff, Bristol is, like the closest thing that we have to a stadium, and it's the closest thing that, you know, like, makes you feel like you're at the ball at a baseball field or at a football field or whatever. And I just think it totally captures everything right there up close, personal to the fans, and it's a super fun track to drive on, too. So I just think everybody, the whole experience for the drivers, the teams, the fans, the tv, like, all of it is, is at its peak there.
- [29:01]
Greta Griffin
Do you think Drew Ski got the NASCAR fan impersonation right?
- [29:07]
Chase Elliott
I'm not sure. I don't know who that is. Am I. Who is that?
- [29:13]
Greta Griffin
No, you gotta go look it up after that, then see and tell us later what you think about it.
- [29:17]
Chase Elliott
Okay, we'll, we'll look that one up.
- [29:19]
Greta Griffin
Okay. What's one word you would describe, use to describe a NASCAR fan?
- [29:23]
Chase Elliott
Passionate.
- [29:24]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Oh, yeah.
- [29:24]
Chase Elliott
Super passionate.
- [29:25]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Who do you think the greatest driver of all time is?
- [29:28]
Chase Elliott
I mean, I think that it'd have to be a, I mean, you look at Richard, Dale, and Jimmy. I mean, you know, those guys all have seven championships. The debate of who, you know, like that's like LeBron, Michael Jordan debate, you know, like that's just a tough one. That there is no comparing the different eras. It's just something you can never do. So all three of those guys have seven rings. They're all pretty damn, pretty damn impressive to me.
- [29:56]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I can respect that answer too because it shows the appreciation for the past.
- [30:01]
Chase Elliott
Yeah.
- [30:02]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Who do you think is the most underrated NASCAR legend? The one that's not mentioned as much as you think as he should be.
- [30:07]
Chase Elliott
Honestly, of those. Jimmy. I don't, I don't think Jimmy has gotten the credit that he deserves. You know, I, I think that, you know, people look at NASCAR and they think Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty immediately, you know, Jimmy's career was incredible. I mean, some of the things that he did, and I know that, you know, they had a great team and all those things, but that's sports, you know, like sometimes that's the way it works out. You get the right people at the right time. Seven championships is incredible, but this dude won five in a row. Like to think about that, you know, five championships, you know, consecutively is to me pretty next level. So I don't think he's ever received the, the credit that he's deserved for the dominance that, that they had through that time.
- [30:54]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Shout out to Jimmy Johnson.
- [30:56]
Greta Griffin
Okay, before we let you go, what's harder, winning the Daytona 500 or winning a championship?
- [31:00]
Chase Elliott
That's a tough one. That's a tough one. I would put them, I would put them pretty close, but for kind of different reasons. You know, the championship to me is a very different thing than, than the Daytona 500. The 500 is really, it's, it's kind of its own, it's kind of its own championship really on, on its own island. Like the race is, it's such a toss up. There's just so many things that are out of your hands that I think make that race really, you know, really difficult to win. You know, whereas racing for a season long championship is, you know, just about being as perfect as you can be and, and all those things. So both very hard, but both very, very different.
- [31:47]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
What would, what would winning a second championship mean for you personally?
- [31:51]
Chase Elliott
Oh, man, yeah, it's, I mean, it's what we set out for every year, you know, like that, that's, to me, that's the pinnacle of, of our sport and been, you know, fortunate to do it once, as you mentioned. And, and I think that, you know, for me at Least right now, I think that probably changes year to year. Like what, you know, what brings you back or what, you know, fires you up right now. And I think it's, you know, we had a car change back in 22, and when that, you know, change happened, it really has adjusted a lot of how we drive these cars nowadays. Like, you kind of go back to all the little details and a lot of those little details changed, and I think it's just kind of pushed us to be better in different areas. So I think, you know, doing, accomplishing that in this generation of car and being able to have done it in two different generations of vehicles, I think is a, you know, a pretty tough feat and one that not a lot of people can say they've done. So we'd love to check that box and, and to, you know, to get to where we need to go is definitely not an easy thing. So, yeah, the generation of car change is a challenge and, yeah, one we'd like to get right before it's over with.
- [33:01]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Chase, we appreciate you coming on the show, spending some time with us, and we like to finish each one of our shows with a, with a little bit of motivation. And I'm going to start it with a question to you personally and then for you to just take it and encourage anyone else out there who, who might be going through similar things or trying to figure out, like, what they have left to prove. But the question is, what does Chase Elliott still have to prove and why are you still driving?
- [33:30]
Chase Elliott
Well, I, I think for me it's, I'm just drawn back by the never ending pursuit of perfection. Like, that's just something you're never going to, you're never going to totally find. And I think that in any sport, and honestly, even away from the field or away from the racetrack, I think it's applicable. But there's always room to be better. There's always room to push yourself. And, and I think the truth of the matter is only, you know, when you're shorting yourself from doing what you're capable of or not, and, you know, holding yourself accountable to that standard that, that you know you're capable of is, is probably the most important thing you can do from a personal standpoint. You know, that the going to the gym on the days when, you know you don't have to or don't feel like you need to or, you know, studying that extra little bit on a play or on a meeting or on a race or, you know, whatever it is. So holding yourself accountable to, to the standard that, that you want to be at is, is big. And I still feel like I'm, I still feel like I have room to improve, and, and that's what, that's what keeps bringing me back. And I think I'm capable of more, and I truly believe that. So until I get to that point or fail trying, I'll probably keep going.
- [34:55]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Well, Chase, you're doing an incredible job of it. Like I said, we appreciate you coming on the show. We know what you just said people watching at home are going to be inspired by. So that'll do it for this episode of out of pocket with RG3, hosted by your boy and the lovely 125 time all American, Greta Griffin. Make sure y' all leave a comment letting us know what you thought about the episode, whether you want to see Chase get a Sega championship, and who you want us to bring on the show next. Chase, if we had to pick one driver to bring on next, who do you think we should bring on?
- [35:23]
Chase Elliott
I will stick with Blaney. He's. He's a, he's a good dude, good friend. I think he'd have fun, a lot of energy. He. I think he'd enjoy being a big sports guy, too, so that'd be a good one.
- [35:34]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Awesome. Blame me.
- [35:35]
Chase Elliott
It is.
- [35:36]
Greta Griffin
Thanks, Chase.
- [35:37]
Chase Elliott
See you guys. Thanks.
- [35:38]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
God bless, bro.
- [35:39]
Chase Elliott
Yeah. See you guys.