Chase Elliott Defends 'Respectable' Crew Chief Fans Once Questioned

Chase Elliott won his 22nd career race at Martinsville on Sunday. In a race that was dominated by Denny Hamlin, something special was needed to change things in Hendrick Motorsports’ favor. That was exactly what crew chief Alan Gustafson delivered to help the team lodge their first Cup Series win of the year.

Looking at the conditions, Gustafson decided that it would be best for Elliott to go for a two-pit strategy. The pit-stop in Lap 261 helped Elliott gain track position on fresher tires. This was a gamble that proved to be a masterstroke as HMS secured its first win of the year by narrowly beating Hamlin.

“Goes to show he’s pretty good at what he does,” said Elliott after the race. “Which I tell you all the time, but he does a pretty good job, and I’m happy to work with him.”

This was a massive win and came amid calls to replace Gustafson from his role. However, Elliott and Gustafson have a great bond, as reiterated by the veteran on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast.

Elliott-Gustafson share a special bond

Elliott and Gustafson have been a formidable duo in NASCAR for almost a decade.

Coming through the ranks, Elliott was certainly talented, but he needed guidance to race at the top level, and that is exactly what he got from the 50-year-old.

“You know, I wish I could tell you what the special formula was for that. I don’t think there’s really any one thing,” said Elliot. “When you come into this sport and you’re a young guy and you know nothing and you don’t deserve respect, but somebody that has been there for a long time and in different cases would very easily look down on someone who doesn’t have any experience or have any answers or doesn’t have any idea what they are getting themselves into right.”

Together, they have managed to win a Cup Series championship in 2020 and 22 Cup Series races. All the success has come through collaboration, a point which Elliott highlighted on the podcast.

While the NASCAR series heads into a break, Elliott will be elated to have secured the win in Martinsville. Gustafson and team will now be looking at strategies to help Elliott excel in the next stage of the season, which is going to be crucial for the former champion.