Elon Musk Sparks NASCAR Uproar by Calling Chase Elliott “The Most Useless Driver” and Vowing Never to Sponsor Him

In a dramatic and unexpected twist that’s shaken the motorsport community, tech mogul Elon Musk has found himself at the center of a NASCAR storm. Known for his blunt social media presence and unfiltered opinions, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has once again stirred controversy — this time by taking direct aim at one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers. During a heated exchange on X (formerly Twitter), Musk referred to 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott as “the most useless driver on the grid,” stunning fans and igniting a wave of backlash across both racing and tech communities. What’s more, Musk went a step further, declaring that he would “never, ever” consider sponsoring Elliott — or any team he’s a part of.

The comment, which was made during a late-night post and has since gone viral, was triggered by a discussion about potential electric vehicle partnerships in NASCAR. Musk, who has occasionally expressed interest in the sport’s evolution, was asked by a user whether Tesla might ever consider sponsoring a NASCAR driver or team. His response was swift and brutal: “Not while drivers like Chase Elliott are considered elite. Most useless driver I’ve ever seen. Zero chance I’d put a Tesla logo on that.”

Unsurprisingly, the remark sent shockwaves through the NASCAR world. Elliott, the son of Hall of Famer Bill Elliott and a fan favorite known for his clean driving style and sportsmanship, rarely finds himself embroiled in controversy. As one of the sport’s most consistent performers and a driver who has earned a loyal following for his underdog spirit and strong racecraft, Musk’s harsh words felt not only personal but out of left field.

The backlash was immediate. Fans took to social media in droves, defending Elliott and criticizing Musk for what many called an “uninformed and disrespectful” opinion. NASCAR analysts chimed in, noting that Elliott’s record — which includes 18 Cup Series wins, a championship title, and multiple Most Popular Driver awards — hardly matches Musk’s portrayal of him as “useless.” Racing journalist Jenna Fryer tweeted, “Calling Chase Elliott ‘useless’ is like calling Elon Musk bad at tech. It’s an outrageous and baseless claim.”

Even fellow drivers subtly threw shade Musk’s way. Denny Hamlin posted a cryptic message: “Some people build rockets. Others win championships. Everyone should stick to what they do best.” Joey Logano simply replied with a gif of Elliott celebrating a victory, while Kyle Larson told reporters that “Chase lets his results speak for themselves.”

Despite the outrage, Musk doubled down on his stance, replying to critics with further commentary. “People are mad because I said what others won’t. NASCAR needs innovation, speed, and star power. Not stale talent living off their name.” This only fueled the fire further, as fans accused Musk of being out of touch with the culture and integrity of NASCAR — a sport that thrives on hard-earned respect, grassroots heritage, and loyalty to its core values.

While many brushed Musk’s comments off as another attention-grabbing moment from a man who thrives on provocation, the incident has raised serious discussions about celebrity influence in motorsport. NASCAR has increasingly opened its doors to outside investors, tech giants, and entertainment figures in recent years. But the Musk-Elliott situation serves as a cautionary tale about the potential downsides of that exposure. While high-profile figures can bring attention and resources, they also bring opinions that don’t always align with the values and spirit of the sport.

Chase Elliott, for his part, has taken the high road. In a short but pointed statement released by Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott said, “I’ve always let my driving do the talking. I’m focused on this weekend, on my team, and on winning races. Everything else is just noise.” The calm and composed response only strengthened fan support around him, with hashtags like #WeStandWithChase and #TeamElliott trending within hours.

Interestingly, the timing of the drama couldn’t be more intense. Elliott is currently battling for a playoff spot and remains a strong contender in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. His focus remains on performance, and many believe that this controversy could ignite a new level of motivation within the No. 9 team. If Elliott turns in a dominant race performance this weekend, it may go down as one of the sweetest answers to Musk’s criticism.

Meanwhile, marketing and sponsorship experts have weighed in on the potential damage or impact of Musk’s statement. While Tesla has never formally been involved in NASCAR, there have been speculative talks for years about the brand’s potential interest in racing. That seems more unlikely now than ever — not just because of Musk’s words, but because of the negative response they’ve triggered. In a world where brand loyalty and driver image are paramount, alienating NASCAR’s most beloved driver might not be the smartest move, even for someone with Musk’s influence.

As the dust settles, the real test will be on the track. Motorsport, after all, is the ultimate proving ground, where results silence doubters and speed writes the narrative. Chase Elliott doesn’t need to reply with words — the roar of the engine and the checkered flag might be all the response he needs.

Whether you see Elon Musk’s comments as candid honesty or reckless provocation, one thing is certain: the 2025 NASCAR season just got a lot more interesting.