Chase Elliott really showed them all with his big win in Texas. It wasn’t just a victory lap for him and his cheering fans, but also a sweet moment of redemption for his crew chief, who took a lot of flak last year for supposedly not living up to the standards. With Elliott’s car #9 zooming past that checkered flag, you could really feel the tide turn.

Recently, team Hendrick posted a video where Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson‘s crew chiefs, Alan Gustafson and Cliff Daniels, were seen out with their crews during a pit stop. And that impressed a lot of NASCAR fans. Looks like that win flipped the script, turning all that harsh criticism into praise, with plenty of folks now tipping their hats to Gustafson, calling him a ‘leader.’

Hendrick Motorsports is much more than just elite drivers

Elliott, behind the wheel of the #9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, had a huge reason to grin at Texas Motor Speedway. He finally made his way back to victory lane after a long dry spell—42 races without a win, since his last triumph at Talladega Superspeedway on October 2, 2022.

Lately, Elliott and his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, have been on the same wavelength, and their teamwork has been shining, especially on pit road. They nailed a record-breaking four-tire pit stop in Texas, clocking in at a blistering 8.49 seconds—the quickest in NASCAR’s 76-year history. Gustafson wasn’t just overseeing things; he was right there in the thick of it, helping the crew swap tires and top of the fuel.

Over at HMS, another crew chief, Cliff Daniels, was also pitching in just like Alan Gustafson, getting his hands dirty changing tires for his driver, Kyle Larson. But for Gustafson, it was a different vibe altogether, especially with Chase Elliott’s recent rough patch without wins. 

Their new way of connecting, that tight-knit bond between driver and crew chief, seems to be doing wonders on the track, flipping fans’ opinions about them for the better.

Gustafson isn’t new to this game; he’s been around the block at Hendrick Motorsports, working with big names like Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, and Mark Martin, to name a few. Since he started as a crew chief in 2005 with Kyle Busch, he’s racked up 39 Cup Series wins. There’s a saying that wins lead to more wins and if that’s true, Elliott’s looking good for more victories in 2024. And the commitment these HMS crew chiefs are showing? It’s off the charts, really catching the fans’ eyes.

It’s a big deal especially because last year, Chase Elliott’s crew chief got slammed by fans for dropping the ball at Watkins Glen International. About five laps into the final stage, Elliott’s team told him he had two more laps before needing to refuel. But it seems they miscalculated! The #9 car ran out of gas and stalled right at the bus stop. With so much on the line, it was a blunder crew chief Alan Gustafson and his team won’t forget. That slip-up not only caused a caution but also dashed any hopes Elliott had of clinching a third win at The Glen. But now, it looks like they’ve really turned things around—for the better.

NASCAR fans are tipping their hats to the HMS crew chiefs 

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Evidently, the video left fans totally awestruck. One fan even called Gustafson and Daniels “leaders“, saying, “They’re more than just crew chiefs. They’re leaders“, while another chimed in with, “That’s the difference between a boss and a leader. Shows you how great of a leader they are. they’re the 2 fastest pit crews in NASCAR.”

Hendrick Motorsports certainly has a knack for acquiring the best in the sport. Gustafson’s shenanigans aside, even Daniels has been a force to reckon with. The 35-year-old, with only six years of experience as a crew chief (started with Jimmie Johnson’s in 2019), has 50 Top-5 finishes, 74 Top-10s, seven pole positions and 4,332 laps led and 16 wins to his name already.

However, where would the duo even today if not for their team? Noting that, one fan credited HMS’ current Vice President of Competition, Chad Knaus for the good work: “Chad thought them well 🙌.“ And perhaps, being a former crew chief himself, Knaus does have a hand behind scouting the two team members. Recently, the official even gave some insight into what makes Cliff Daniels such a formidable force.

“He strives tirelessly to find performance. And that comes in many, many different packages. He does that through simulation, he does it through data, he does it through the human performance element. He’s a very, very good communicator. He’s not afraid to talk and approach and find resolve in a situation. And he’s tireless, like he works all the time. He’s very, very dedicated to his craft,” Knaus said, as per The Athletic. 

Nonetheless, the fan praise didn’t end there, as one noted, “They are straight bada**es.” One suggested this teamwork might be why their pit stops have gotten quicker, adding, “That’s what separates them from the rest they’re 2 of the best on the pit box now.” And even Chase Elliott revealed how Gustafson pushes him the right way! 

“He is just head down and focused on doing his job and making sure that he’s elevating the entire team to be better, making sure the right people are in place, making sure I’m doing my part, pushing me to be better..I’ve always tried to let him do his job, and let him hold himself accountable first, and he has always allowed me to be me and do the same and just let me do my part and push each other when we need to,” the #9 driver said while talking about teamwork.

What’s clear is that while racers might be the one turning heads on the track, it wouldn’t have been possible without that solid support! Wouldn’t you agree?