Driver Champion: Chase Elliott
Team: #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet
– Chase Elliott won his first NASCAR Nationwide Series championship; becoming the youngest champion in NASCAR national series history at the age of 18 years, 11 months, 18 days – previous record holder was Brian Vickers at 20 years, 0 months, 2 days.
– Elliott is the 25th different driver to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship. Elliott finished the season 42 points ahead of second-place Regan Smith.
– Elliott is the first driver to win a series title in his Sunoco Rookie of the Year campaign. He also is the first rookie to post three or more wins (Darlington, Texas-1, and Chicago) since Carl Edwards in 2005.
– The Elliott’s (Bill and Chase) have become the fifth father/son combo to win NASCAR-sanctioned championships; joining the Jarretts (Ned and Dale), the Pettys (Lee and Richard), the Pearsons (David and Larry) and the Earnhardts (Dale and Dale Jr.) as the only NASCAR father/son champions in all of national series competition.
– Chase Elliott has become the third champion from the state of Georgia, joining NASCAR Hall of Famers Bill Elliott (father) and Tim Flock. Bill Elliott (NHOF inductee – Class of 2015); Tim Flock (NHOF inductee- Class of 2014)
– Elliott’s 2014 Season-To-Date Loop Data: Driver Rating (108.6) and Average Running Position (7.022).
Owner: Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports
– This is JR Motorsports’ first NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship. The organization’s previous best series championship finish was third (twice: Regan Smith, 2013 and Brad Keselowski, 2008).
– Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., a two-time (1998, ’99) NASCAR Nationwide Series driver champion, fielded his first car as an owner in the series with driver Mark McFarland at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2005.
– JR Motorsports has posted 21 victories in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (2005 – 2014).
Crew Chief Champion: Greg Ives
– This is Greg Ives first career NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.
– Ives’ previous series best points finish was in 2013, when he finished third with Regan Smith.
– Ives is scheduled to move up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season to work with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet team, replacing Steve Letarte.
Owner Champion: Roger Penske, #22 Team Penske Ford
– This is Team Penske’s second consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series owners’ championship. Roger Penske won last season’s NNS owner title with drivers (starts): Brad Keselowski (15 races), Joey Logano (14), AJ Allmendinger (two) and Ryan Blaney (two).
– This season the #22 captured the title with drivers: Brad Keselowski (10 races), Joey Logano (10), Ryan Blaney (10), Michael McDowell (one) and Alex Tagliani (two).
– The #22 Team Penske Ford Mustang team had five wins, 23 top fives and 29 top 10s in 2014 (NASCAR)(11-15-2014)