Hendrick equipment has been some of the best in the garage for decades. That not only gives the organization’s drivers a leg up on track, but also helps teams attract and keep sponsorship. Add in Elliott’s popularity and it’s easy to see how the No. 9 Chevrolet is one of the best-funded teams in the sport.

If this was NASCAR of five years ago, Chase Elliott’s dominating victory in the preseason Clash would make him the favorite to win the Daytona 500