DOVER, Del. — Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s 2020 Cup Series champion, expressed mixed feelings about a pivotal pit strategy decision made by his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, during Sunday’s race at Dover Motor Speedway. In an interview with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Elliott discussed the choice to take two tires instead of four or staying out, a call that ultimately cost him a shot at victory despite a dominant performance.
Elliott led 238 laps, his most at a non-Martinsville race, showcasing the speed of his No. 9 Chevrolet. However, with six cars on the lead lap and a caution for rain, Gustafson opted for a two-tire stop, hoping to balance track position and tire freshness. The decision backfired as Denny Hamlin, who stayed out, held the lead to win, while Elliott finished sixth after a red flag halted the race with 14 laps remaining.
In the conversation captured by Gluck, Gustafson weighed the options on team radio: “Seven on the lead lap, seven on our tires. … The question is do we want tires or do we want the front row or the lead?” Elliott responded, “Ehhhh…I don’t…” before the call was made. Reflecting post-race, Elliott told Gluck, “Been really proud of the effort all day. Couple little hiccups here and there, but had a nice recovery to get back to the lead and didn’t want to see that caution.” His measured response highlighted his trust in Gustafson despite the outcome.
The sixth-place finish still propelled Elliott to the top of the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season points standings, leading teammate William Byron by 16 points with five races remaining. The result underscored the No. 9 team’s consistency, with Elliott maintaining a streak of 20 consecutive top-20 finishes in 2025. However, fans and analysts questioned Gustafson’s call, with some arguing it squandered a potential win given Elliott’s commanding performance.
Elliott remained diplomatic, focusing on the team’s resilience. “Alan did a great job today,” he told TNT Sports during a weather delay. “We’re a solid group, and we’ll keep pushing.” As the playoffs loom, Elliott’s Dover performance signals his championship potential, even if strategic gambles don’t always pay off.
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