Chase Elliott scored his NASCAR Cup Series-leading fifth win of the year and earned an automatic berth into the next round of the playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, making the popular driver a championship favorite.

Elliott piloted his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 to victory in the YellaWood 500 at the massive 2.66-mile Alabama tri-oval after completing a last-lap pass. On the race's final restart with two laps remaining, Elliott jumped to the top lane from the third position in line on the bottom and received a massive push from fellow Chevrolet driver Erik Jones.

It was enough to help Elliott to the front as the field approached the start-finish line for the final time, where the No. 9 car claimed the win by 0.046 seconds.

"It was a wild last couple laps," Elliott said. "I wasn't super crazy about being on the bottom. Fortunately, I got just clear enough off of two to slide up in front of Erik. He gave me some great shoves. 

"I just had a good enough run to get out front, then I was able to stay far enough in front at the line to get it done."

Elliott started from the 16th position and led a total of 10 laps in the event, also scoring a valuable Playoff Point by taking the checkered flag in Stage Two. With the race win, Elliott advanced to the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as he looks to claim his second title in the last three years.

The win was the 18th of his career and his second at Talladega.

"These things are so, so hard to win. You got to enjoy 'em," said the 2020 series champion. "Just appreciate everybody's effort today. NAPA, Chevrolet, all that make this happen. Everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, the engine shop. The boss is here, so excited to celebrate with him; get ready to go to the ROVAL and try to grab another one."

Two Chevrolet drivers finished in the top-five at Talladega, with Ross Chastain coming home fourth. Jones finished sixth and Daniel Suarez took the checkered flag in the eighth spot to give the Bowtie four drivers in the top-10.

Elliott's win was the 18th in 31 races for Chevrolet in the Cup Series this season, and the brand's 43rd victory at Talladega – the most of any manufacturer. In addition, Elliott's Talladega triumph was the 832nd for Chevrolet in NASCAR's premier series.

Team Chevy also swept the weekend at the famed track, with Matt DiBenedetto driving his Chevy Silverado RST to victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, while AJ Allmendinger won the NASCAR Xfinity Series event in a Camaro SS. It was the third time this season that Chevrolet has won three races in a single weekend.

Across the board, Team Chevy remains the brand to beat as the championship picture comes into focus.

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