On Thursday, Larry McReynolds and Danielle Trotta had a theme on their SiriusXM NASCAR Radio show titled, “Confident, Confused and Concerned.” Fans called in and messaged via X about a specific NASCAR Cup Series driver they wanted to discuss and assigned one of the three labels. Several fans called in and expressed concern about Hendrick Motorsports driver and 2020 champion Chase Elliott.
“When you’re talking Chase Elliott – crew chief, crew chief, crew chief, crew chief,” Trotta said one fan commented on X.
“Think they’re barking up the wrong tree,” Larry McReynolds responded. “I just think you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“No matter how many times Chase Elliott preaches to Elliott Nation, don’t put this on my guy. This is not Alan Gustafson’s fault,” Trotta said. “I do wonder if ever Hendrick Motorsports is gonna look at this. Chase Elliott is now in the midst of his 10th season with Alan Gustafson. Every single year he’s been in Cup, Alan has been at the helm. That is the longest running active driver-crew chief pairing in Cup. And it’s bearing less and less fruit.
“You and I have always stood in the line and I continue to stand in the line that it’s not an Alan thing. Chase has said, this is a me thing. I have to figure out the feel of this race car. But if Chase Elliott fans, diehard fans, need someone to blame, they’re not gonna blame Chase, they’re gonna blame Alan. That’s the easiest place to shoulder their frustrations.”
Some @chaseelliott fans are not happy with crew chief Alan Gustafson. On Thursday, @LarryMac28 defended him from criticism. pic.twitter.com/7jsmF9x1XY
— Kyle Dalton (@kdsportswriter) March 28, 2025
“It’s the easiest position to change,” America’s Crew Chief offered. “It’s the easiest spot to change.
“You probably lived that with Dale Senior,” Trotta suggested.
“Exactly,” Larry Mac answered. “And, yeah, it’s just the way things are structured. You know, there may come a time when Rick says, ‘You know what? Let’s just try something different.’ But I just believe with all my heart — and I consider Alan a friend. Is he a really close friend? No. But I just don’t see it with Alan Gustafson. I just don’t.”
Elliott and Gustafson return to action on Sunday at Martinsville. Race coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.
Related: Larry McReynolds Identifies Problem for Ty Gibbs to Start 2025 Season
Related: NASCAR Addresses Chase Elliott Penalty and Why It Denied Driver’s Argument
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