For the first time since Daytona 2022, Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, scores a top-5 finish at a mile-and-a-half track. Is that the big news? Nah, the Georgia native went out and broke nearly a year and a half winless streak at Texas Motor Speedway.

Elliott led the second most laps of the night with 39 laps led, behind teammate Kyle Larson who led ended the race with 77 led. Elliott would also leave Texas with 45 points earned on the day, including 5 Stage Points, plus 5 Playoff Points from winning the race.

Elliott led three times Sunday afternoon, 12 laps early in the race, followed by 10 & 17 more over multiple runs due to late race restarts.

His Texas win marks his 19th career victory in the NASCAR Cup Series on the 15th different track. His last Cup win came 49 races ago at the Talladega Playoff race in 2022, 42 if you take away the races he missed due to injury last season.

Additionally, per Justin Schuoler of Kickin’ the Tires, this was only the fourth time Hooters had been a primary sponsor of a winning race car, and the first since Alan Kulwicki won 32 years ago.

This win marks the 5th win of the season for Hendrick, 3 from William Byron, 1 from Larson, and now 1 from Elliott.

Header Image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images