Did Chase Elliott ever drive the 24 car?

[McCarson]

Yes, Chase Elliott did drive the iconic No. 24 car for two full NASCAR Cup Series seasons in 2016 and 2017 with Hendrick Motorsports. He took over the ride from the retiring legend Jeff Gordon, securing the 2016 Rookie of the Year title and two consecutive top-10 points finishes before moving to his current No. 9 car for the 2018 season.

His tenure in the No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet was marked by consistent performance and high-profile moments. In his rookie 2016 season, Elliott immediately proved his qualifying prowess by winning the pole position for the Daytona 500. He finished the year 10th in the final championship standings, earning him the Rookie of the Year honors. The following season in 2017, he further solidified his status as a future star. He contended for wins on multiple occasions, logging 12 top-five finishes and 21 top-ten finishes across the 36-race schedule, and improved to a 5th-place finish in the championship points.

The move from the No. 24 to the No. 9 for the 2018 season was significant. It allowed Elliott to honor his family legacy by adopting the number made famous by his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott. This transition was part of a planned organizational shift at Hendrick Motorsports. The No. 24 car and its primary sponsorship from NAPA were subsequently taken over by the incoming rookie, William Byron.

The table below summarizes key data from Elliott's two seasons piloting the No. 24 car:

Season	Car Number	Team	Points Finish	Wins	Top-5 Finishes	Top-10 Finishes	Notable Achievement
2016	No. 24	Hendrick Motorsports	10th	0	10	17	Daytona 500 Pole, Cup Series Rookie of the Year
2017	No. 24	Hendrick Motorsports	5th	0	12	21	Made the Championship 4, contended for multiple wins

While he did not secure a points-paying victory in the No. 24, his performance trajectory was steeply upward. The experience he gained in those two seasons, competing at the front of the field in equipment with immense historical weight, was foundational. It directly paved the way for his championship-winning success that followed in the No. 9 car. Market data from sources like NASCAR's official statistics and team releases confirm that his marketability and fan base grew substantially during this period, setting the stage for his current role as one of the sport's most popular figures.

[DeGraham]

As a longtime fan who followed Jeff Gordon's career, I was skeptical when Chase took over the 24. But watching those 2016 and 2017 seasons won me over. He wasn't just keeping the seat warm; he was making it his own. I remember the buzz at Daytona in '16 when he won the pole—it felt like a passing of the torch.

Sure, he didn't get a win in that car, but he came painfully close so many times. You could see the talent was there. When he moved to the 9 for his dad's number, it made sense, but part of me will always remember him as the guy who proudly carried Gordon's iconic number into a new era.

[SanJake]

From an industry perspective, Elliott's assignment to the No. 24 was a masterstroke by Hendrick Motorsports. It placed a highly touted rookie in a car with immense sponsor visibility (NAPA) and historical prestige, ensuring immediate relevance. His performance validated the decision.

The two-year data set is clear: steady progression in finishes, leading laps, and championship points. The move to the No. 9 in 2018 was less a performance critique and more a long-term brand alignment. It consolidated the Elliott family legacy under one number while allowing the No. 24 asset to be refreshed with a new rookie, William Byron. In sponsor and team logistics, it was a seamless transition that maximized stability for all partners involved.

[SanVanessa]

My dad worked on the crew for a rival team during that period. The shop talk about Elliott in the 24 was always respectful. The consensus was that the kid had composure beyond his years. Driving that number comes with a crazy amount of pressure—every Gordon fan was watching.

The crew guys noted how quickly he adapted to the Cup car. He wasn't tearing up equipment; he was bringing it home clean and fast. When he switched to the 9, everyone saw it as a power move. He'd earned his stripes in the 24, and now he was claiming his own identity. It felt like a natural step, not a demotion.

[LaLeah]

Looking back, those two years in the No. 24 were Chase Elliott's crucial proving ground. He stepped into a spotlight few rookies ever experience and handled the expectations with remarkable poise. The statistics tell one story—consistent top-10s, championship contention—but the intangible growth was just as important.

He learned how to manage races at the Cup level, deal with media scrutiny tied to an iconic number, and build a rapport with a top-tier team. The near-miss wins in the 24 car, like at Michigan or Dover, taught him how to close. That education was invaluable. By the time 2018 rolled around and he took over the No. 9, he wasn't a promising rookie anymore; he was a seasoned contender ready to win. The championship he captured in 2020 was built on the foundation laid in those 2016 and 2017 seasons behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet.