Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 pit crew, led by crew chief Alan Gustafson, claimed the 2025 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew (MVPC) award after a standout season of speed and precision in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team’s skill and consistent strategy execution earned them the Hendrick Motorsports pit crew award, cementing their role as key contributors to the organization in the season that concluded at Phoenix Raceway.
Dominant Performance Throughout the NASCAR Cup Series Season
The annual Mechanix Wear MVPC is given to the top-performing pit crew during the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, recognizing crews that exhibit exceptional speed, accuracy, and tactical execution. From the close of the regular season through the Championship Race, Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 crew maintained their leading position, proving their reliability and delivering efficiently under pressure for driver Chase Elliott.
Mechanix Wear’s tracking covered every playoff round, and the No. 9 team displayed consistency by holding the top spot from start to finish. Their ability to execute rapid, controlled stops proved invaluable, reducing time lost on pit road and offering more chances to gain track position for the No. 9 car in crucial race moments.
It’s nice to be recognized for something that we work very hard at every single week and in the offseason. I think from day one of being together, we knew that we would gel well together. Behind the scenes, we’ve learned how we can encourage each other the right way through teamwork and communication. It’s nice to know everyone has each other’s back, and after enough time together it feels like pitting with brothers.
—Gianninoto, No. 9 Pit Crew Member
This reflection illustrates how effective teamwork and routine preparation drove their impeccable performance throughout the year.
Coaching Leadership and Team Adaptability
Jacob Claborn, Hendrick Motorsports’ head pit coach, pointed to the group’s unity and resilience in facing challenges during the intense NASCAR calendar. Team members experienced several changes throughout the season, yet consistently demonstrated weekly improvement and the ability to adapt in high-pressure situations.
This crew has been through a lot this year, including a change on the team,
—Jacob Claborn, Head Pit Coach
It has been great to work with the guys and watch them rise to the occasion every time an opportunity presents itself on Sundays. The No. 9 pit crew brings experience to everything they do. The moment is never too big for them, and they have experienced both the highs of success and the lows of setbacks. Through these moments, they have been able to build their speed over time.
—Jacob Claborn, Head Pit Coach
Claborn’s feedback highlights the pit crew’s durability and steady nerve, which allowed them to stay focused even when confronted with personnel shifts or setbacks on pit road.
Praise and Recognition from Chase Elliott
Driver Chase Elliott offered high praise for the No. 9 pit crew, underlining their dedication and drive even as the team missed out on playoff contention in the season’s closing stages. Elliott credited the crew with providing unwavering support and maintaining exceptional standards to the very end of the campaign.
I’m extremely proud of our whole group,
—Chase Elliott, Driver
They did an exceptional job all year, and I’ve touched on how impressed I was at Phoenix and the drive to want to continue to work hard and lay it all out there, even though we weren’t in the playoffs. They just had an incredible performance on pit road and an amazing way to cap off the season. I’m extremely grateful for their attitudes, their approach, how they pick me up when I’m down or whatever it takes, they’re willing to rise to the occasion.
—Chase Elliott, Driver
Elliott also noted the challenges presented by less favorable pit stalls yet emphasized how the recognition their pit crew received shows the group’s excellence in overcoming logistical disadvantages.
To have won that award with some of the pit stalls they had this year probably won’t get talked about, but it should because they were put in some horrendous positions throughout the season and throughout the playoffs. All those things continue to exemplify how much of a top-tier group they are, and I’m proud to have them. I’m looking forward to going back to battle with them again next year.
—Chase Elliott, Driver
Significance of the Award and Looking Ahead
Winning the 2025 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award places the Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 team in the NASCAR spotlight, confirming their role among the sport’s elite. Their achievement reflects endurance, trust, and the power of experienced teamwork, led by figures like Alan Gustafson and inspired by leadership from Gianninoto and Jacob Claborn. Looking to next season, the No. 9 pit crew’s unity and proven ability to adapt set high expectations for continued success for Hendrick Motorsports, as they aim for more top-tier results on pit road and beyond.
