Chase Elliott wins 2014 Nationwide Series championship

Chase Elliott didn’t win Saturday evening’s race in Phoenix, but he did win the 2014 Nationwide Series championship.

Elliott finished fifth, but was able to clinch the title based on points.

“I don’t even know what to think, I’m in disbelief!” the 18-year-old said after exiting his car on pit road.

Elliott is the first rookie to win a national series championship, and the youngest driver to do so.

Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick was in attendance at Elliott’s pit box and remained adamant that Elliott would drive another year in the Nationwide Series.

“I think we’ve got another (year) here,” Hendrick said. “But we’ll see.”

Here's the UNOFFICIAL finishing order for Saturday's race:

# = rookie, (i) = not eligible for points