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CUP SERIES DEBUT The year after Elliott won the Nationwide Series championship, Hendrick Motorsports gave him a taste of the Cup Series in five races during a part-time stint in the 2015 season, starting at the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway. The result on the track left a lot to desire. Elliott’s car suffered damage to the radiator and power steering, as well as to the car’s body, from two separate accidents but he was able to get back on the track and finish the race. Elliott became the 12th-youngest driver to race in the Cup Series (at that point) with more than half a year remaining until his 20th birthday. He was the youngest driver to debut since Joey Logano raced as an 18 year old in 2008. Elliott’s next three races would yield better results with Top 20 finishes, but Martinsville was where Elliott first got behind the wheel of a Cup Series car in competition. Suffice it to say, he’s come a long way since that race.

Denny Hamlin holds on to win the 2015 STP 500. As the graphic at :45 seconds shows, it was a rough NASCAR Cup Series debut for Chase Elliott.

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Superstars of the Speedway: Chase Elliott