“God is within you, you will not fail,” was the adapted psalm (from Psalm 46:5) adorning the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Chase Elliott drove to victory lane at Atlanta, fitting words for a long-awaited triumph. The Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) ace won in front of his home crowd after three agonizing years and made Rhealynn Mills’ day in the process.
Showcasing a design created by 11-year-old pediatric cancer patient Mills, Elliott headed out to the 1.54-mile speedway and came home with flying colors for his young admirer. After his emphatic win and the celebration that followed, Elliott spoke at length about seeing his fan celebrate with her family in victory lane. The moment meant everything to both the driver and the designer.
Victory Etched in Heart and History: Elliott Cherishes Atlanta’s Sweet Homecoming
NASCAR’s Most Popular driver was on cloud nine at EchoPark Speedway, and Mills was over the moon. Even sweeter was the victory celebration, as the 11-year-old and the whole Mills clan joined Elliott and the HMS crew in victory lane. For a driver who had struggled at his home track in recent years, this win felt different.
Following the victory, the 2020 Cup Series champion detailed the heartwarming scene on NASCAR’s official radio channel, Sirius XM NASCAR. He detailed, “She (Rhealynn Mills) was awesome. And really, the whole Mills family in general. They were just really good, genuine, down-to-earth folks. And, you know, enjoyed hanging out with them throughout the day.”
Mills, initially shy, came alive as the day unfolded. “It was fun to kind of watch Rhealynn open up, because she was pretty shy some Saturday morning, but by Saturday night, she was definitely a part of the team. That’s what it’s all about, you know, is hopefully giving her an experience that she’ll remember for the rest of her life. Because she definitely gave us one,” Elliott continued.
Moving pictures tell the story best, but you just might tear up. Let’s keep fighting for Rhealynn and keep the wins coming! #Desi9nToDrive
9 days left to join the fight – show your support at: https://t.co/6bxZOQRaix pic.twitter.com/l9NQwt9c0M
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) July 1, 2025
Since the first season of “DESI9N TO DRIVE” in 2017, the No. 9 driver has been part of the program, taking in special liveries from fans and embracing them like the champion he is. This time, he welcomed Mills’ idea with open arms, an artistic collaboration between Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, NAPA, and HMS. The program has raised significant funds for pediatric cancer research over the years.
Sporting the HMS Chevy, a firesuit, and his helmet, all designed by the 11-year-old, at Atlanta, Elliott made it big, cracking his first win of the 2025 season. He added, “It was an amazing way to celebrate the ninth year of ‘Desi9n to Drive.’ There’s still a handful of days left to get in on some of the items that we’re going to be getting rid of with my suit and all that stuff she designed, desi9ntodrive.org.”
Read More: Chase Elliott Drops Powerful Tribute with 11-Year-Old Cancer Patient’s Custom Atlanta Paint Scheme
The timing couldn’t have been better for Elliott, who had been searching for his first victory of the season. Breaking through at his home track with Mills’ design made the moment even more special.
Racing for a Cause
The Dawsonville native also confirmed that every penny earned from the auction is going into deserving hands at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “Obviously, everything’s going to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. And, you know, all the great work that they did,” Elliott said. “They’re an impressive group of hospitals, and Mills is a testament to that.”
The auction includes race-worn items from Elliott’s victory, giving fans a chance to own a piece of history while supporting a great cause. With only days left in the auction, interest remains high among collectors and NASCAR fans alike.