Here's All You Need To Know About NASCAR Driver Chase Elliot Before 'Race For The Championship'

NASCAR fans know what their favorite drivers are like on the track. But what happens when they're off it?

That's a question explored in the new unscripted USA Network series, "Race For The Championship," premiering on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The show focuses on the NASCAR drivers competing in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, and it gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the championship as well as the drivers' daily lives.

One driver featured in the show is Chase Elliot. Here's what to know know about him:

You could say Chase, who currently drives the #9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, was born to drive for NASCAR: He's the son of a certified NASCAR legend, Bill Elliot.

“[I] never wanted to be anything other than a race car driver,” he told Fox Sports in 2017. “I wanted to race because of my dad and my family's history in racing, and what he did, and my genuine interest in it.”

But Chase, who at the age of 26 is currently in his 8th season, has proven he has the skills needed to stand apart from his father. He earned recognition after he won the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship — making him the first rookie to win a national series championship. After he started racing in the Cup Series on a full-time basis in 2016, he was named the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year. Oh, and of course, he won the NASCAR Cup Championship himself in 2020. He's racked up 17 career wins in the Cup Series total. Naturally, he's someone to watch during the 2022 season.

While discussing Chase's many successes with Fox Sports, his dad, Bill, said, "I didn't start racing until I was 17, 18. He started when he was 8, 9, 10 years old. You learn a lot more early on. And he raced a lot more short track than I ever did. To me, he did a really good job of being able to adapt to different cars as the evolution of racing grew.”

Chase isn't just beloved for his driving aptitude: His charm and winning personality have made him a favorite among fans. He's won the Most Popular Driver award every year since 2018, after all. Naturally, all this love from the fans and his success on the track have earned him many rivals in the sport. Still, Chase has formed close friendships with many of his fellow drivers, particularly Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney. 

As for his personal life, Chase maintains an active lifestyle and blows off steam through sports such as golf, softball, and wakeboarding. Although he resides in Dawsonville, Georgia, he also spends plenty of time vacationing in Colorado, occasionally posting on social media about his hikes in the state.

To see how Chase Elliot does this season and learn more about his personal life, tune into "Race For The Championship," premiering on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.