Chase Elliott wins NASCAR Cup race in Atlanta

While Chase Elliott enjoyed the admiration of the crowd at his hometown track on Saturday night, he reminded himself to savor every moment.

It was one of those times when “you just wish you could capture it, revisit it occasionally, and experience it again,” Elliott remarked. He described it as a complete sensory experience that he’ll “remember for the rest of my life.”

“I’m not sure anything has ever matched that,” he remarked a few hours after the excitement had settled. “It was surreal. I’ve never performed on stage or been a singer, but I imagine it must feel something like that.”

Does that sound like someone who doesn’t care about his job? Someone who is disengaged? Certainly not. However, with Elliott, his approach to balancing work and life is often mistaken for lack of interest, especially noticeable to fans when he isn’t winning.

Is he really committed? Does he even want to do this?

This perception partly arises from the limited view Elliott allows us to have of his life. But just because it’s a common belief doesn’t make it accurate.

The misconception likely begins with his choice of residence. Unlike 95 percent of NASCAR drivers, Elliott doesn’t live in North Carolina. He resides in his hometown of Dawsonville, Ga., and isn’t part of the Charlotte area’s racing community.

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