Chase Elliott has come to the firm defense of his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, as debates swirl regarding recent strategic decisions during the NASCAR playoffs. The ongoing Chase Elliott crew chief strategy controversy erupted after a challenging pair of weekends, pushing fan speculation to new heights with the No. 9 team’s position precariously close to the playoff cut line.
The heated conversation comes on the heels of a disappointing result at Watkins Glen, where Elliott finished 26th after beginning the race in 20th. His car struggled to find pace in critical segments, and pit decisions failed to elevate him in the running order. This setback drew pointed criticism toward Gustafson after Elliott left Darlington just nine points ahead of elimination. Yet Elliott, who has worked with Gustafson since entering the Cup Series as a rookie, made clear in recent appearances that his loyalty runs deep.
“He has always allowed me to be myself,”
— Chase Elliott, Driver
As the playoff pressure grows, a sense of urgency hangs over the Hendrick Motorsports camp. The conversation reached new intensity on NASCAR Live, where Elliott directly addressed the wave of criticism targeting his veteran crew chief, insisting that the situation is far less straightforward than it may seem to outsiders.
“Yeah, I mean, I would say it’s… I would say it’s unfair, right? Because, like anything, when you’re not in the battle every week and you’re not firsthand in the fight, you know, odds are it’s hard to grasp the entire picture of everything that’s going on, or, umm, to have that type of information that they have in front of them, you know, throughout a race.”
—Chase Elliott, Driver
Inside a Tense Playoff Run: Strategic Pitfalls and Pivotal Moments
During the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, fans saw Elliott employ the calculated aggression and adaptability that have become his trademarks. Early pit stops on lap 41 in tandem with Brad Keselowski showcased a willingness to shake up their strategy. A brush with Carson Hocevar around lap 125 threatened to disrupt his rhythm, but Elliott maintained his composure and focus. Throughout the race, however, the timing of caution periods repeatedly worked against the No. 9 team, ultimately intensifying scrutiny over race calls.
Reflecting on these tough breaks, Elliott accepted responsibility for both his and Gustafson’s decisions, emphasizing how razor-thin the margin is between strategic genius and misfortune.
“And, you know, I can think of a couple situations, like recently, where we’ve made some decisions and just either haven’t caught the caution or did catch the caution at the wrong time, and that can be the difference in you literally looking like a hero and, you know, looking like you just did the dumbest thing ever. And that’s of no one’s fault, but that’s just the way the race unfolded.”
—Chase Elliott, Driver
Midway through the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, Elliott showcased technical adaptability when, as lead cars headed for pit stops on lap 188, he surged to the front. Yet a subsequent call to bring him in on lap 195 cost valuable track position, a move some fans attributed directly to Alan Gustafson’s choices. Still, as the race wore on, Elliott’s tenacity was obvious: he took the free pass on lap 314 under caution, briefly putting a top-ten result back within reach before the final laps reshuffled the field.
Despite frustrations from fans about the tactics employed, Elliott continues to reiterate the need to consider every angle before judging decisions made in real time from the pit box. He made it clear his belief in accountability is shared—a commitment to improvement that starts with himself and extends to the whole crew.
“So, I just… I think you have to caution yourself with some of that, but, you know, without having the entire picture and totally being able to look at it from both sides of the coin, it’s really important to do that. And also, too, you know, I shoulder the load in trying to be better and knowing that I need to do a better job, and that’s not an excuse either. It’s a work in progress, and we’re doing it as a team, and we’ll keep our heads down and keep doing that.”
—Chase Elliott, Driver
With rumors swirling about potential internal shakeups, the spotlight remains fixed on Gustafson, although no crew chief swap is expected before the next race. Nonetheless, the team enters Gateway fighting adversity, with its driver refusing to waver in his faith or effort.
Elliott Faces New Spotter Change for Gateway Challenge
Furthering the complications for the Hendrick Motorsports driver, Elliott will make his run at World Wide Technology Raceway without his usual spotter. Heading into Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300, Trey Poole will be absent, stepping away for family reasons, and Tyler Deering—who has worked with Elliott on road courses—will take over the spotting duties. Balancing his responsibilities, Deering will also assist for Jordan Anderson’s No. 32 Xfinity Series campaign on Saturday, increasing the pressure on both driver and spotter to develop rapid synergy.
Gateway has historically not favored Elliott. Since the track’s addition to the Cup Series in 2022, his best finish remains 13th, and he was sidelined by a suspension in 2023. This daunting track record only raises the stakes for finding the right chemistry with a substitute spotter under playoff pressure.
“I don’t have a key to Gateway. I wish I did. Maybe I’ll find one when I get there this time. And so I think sometimes it gets lost just how many races and how long 10 weeks is, and how much can change through that period of time. For me personally, it’s what can I do this week to be better when we get to the racetrack on Saturday? And how can my Saturday help us on Sunday?”
—Chase Elliott, Driver
The next nine Cup Series races present a gauntlet of challenges, with every position and pit call under the microscope. As Elliott and his Hendrick Motorsports crew commit to improvement, fans will watch to see whether a recalibration in approach—and a bit of luck—can quiet the criticism and spark a late-season surge.
The Road Forward: Implications for Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott’s steadfast defense of Alan Gustafson deepens the story of loyalty and accountability during a turbulent playoff push, highlighting the complex interplay between driver, crew chief, and the rapidly reacting NASCAR fan base. The Chase Elliott crew chief strategy controversy doesn’t appear to be abating soon, but the team’s commitment to internal reflection and improvement could set both Elliott and Gustafson apart as the series progresses.
For Elliott, how he mitigates these challenges at Gateway and beyond may determine not only his playoff fate but also his ongoing legacy as a leader willing to shoulder responsibility. At Hendrick Motorsports, the coming weeks will test whether unity and calm under scrutiny can rebuild support and deliver the momentum needed to stave off elimination—and perhaps, silence the storm of controversy.
