Chase Elliott Fans Furious After Jeff Gluck Defends Alan Gustafson’s Strategy
NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck, host of The Teardown podcast and writer for The Athletic, found himself in the crossfire of intense backlash from Chase Elliott fans after defending Elliott’s crew chief, Alan Gustafson, following the Richmond race. The fallout revealed just how passionate and protective Elliott’s fanbase is, sparking heated reactions that quickly spread across social media.
Defending Alan Gustafson
During his podcast, Gluck explained the level of anger he faced from Elliott’s supporters after he defended Gustafson’s strategic call during the race. Gluck had mentioned that Gustafson “made the right call” by having Elliott save a set of tires in Stage 1, which led to the #9 car having fresh rubber for Stage 2. However, the strategy went awry when Elliott was caught up in a wreck, leaving the driver unable to finish the race.
“This week, because I defended Alan Gustafson, the Chase Elliott fans started yelling at me for everything bad that happens to Chase Elliott,” Gluck said. “Every single thing that they think Alan Gustafson did in the race, Elliott fans were tweeting at me like I was Alan Gustafson. They wanted my scalp. These people are very, very angry because I defended Alan Gustafson.”
The incident exposed just how fiercely Elliott’s supporters defend him, even when the criticism is directed at a strategy that may have seemed sound on paper. The level of frustration was palpable, as fans held Gustafson responsible for the wreck, despite external circumstances, such as the crash involving Kyle Busch, which contributed to Elliott’s DNF.
Elliott’s Strategy and the Impact of the Wreck
Gluck went on to explain that Elliott’s strategy of saving a set of tires was actually a sound one, as it was designed to give the driver fresh tires when the track would become more challenging. Unfortunately, Elliott’s race was cut short when he was involved in a wreck that was triggered by Kyle Busch. According to Gluck, the collision was partly a result of Busch not seeing Elliott as they both tried to navigate the wreck.
Despite the strategy being one that many would have agreed with, Elliott’s fans were furious with the result. The wreck that ended his race left them blaming Gustafson for what they saw as a strategic error, even though the situation was far more complex.
“Because Kyle Busch randomly wrecked Chase Elliott after he made it through the wreck, that was Alan Gustafson’s fault for getting the strategy, what I thought was correct,” Gluck said. “This is intense.”
The level of outrage among Elliott’s supporters was so fierce that it led to a significant number of tweets directed at Gluck, with fans targeting him as though he were directly responsible for the crew chief’s decision-making. The entire exchange highlighted the immense passion and loyalty that Elliott’s fans have for him, and the personal nature of their defense.
Chase Elliott’s First DNF of the Season
For Elliott, the Richmond race was particularly frustrating, as it marked his first DNF (Did Not Finish) of the 2023 season. Up until that point, Elliott had been consistent in his performances, with his 20th-place finish being his lowest result of the season. However, his early exit from Richmond marked a low point in an otherwise promising year.
Elliott, the NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver for the last seven seasons, had been a contender for the Cup Series regular season title. He had even secured a win at the second Atlanta race earlier in the year, giving him a solid chance at winning the championship. However, the wreck at Richmond dashed those hopes, allowing William Byron to clinch the regular-season title instead.
After the race, Elliott spoke about the wreck, admitting he wasn’t entirely sure what happened. In an interview with NBC Sports’ Nate Ryan, he shared his confusion about the incident:
“I have no idea what happened,” Elliott said. “Obviously, I saw them crashing, and we were all just stacking up trying to get stopped, and then after the wreck was over, I thought we were done wrecking. I was just trying to squeak by, and I guess Kyle (Busch) just didn’t know I was to his left, and we were, so I hate that.”
The Larger Debate: Strategy vs. Fans’ Loyalty
The debate sparked by Gluck’s comments is one that highlights a recurring theme in NASCAR — the tension between strategic decisions made by crew chiefs and the passionate loyalty of fans. While Gustafson’s strategy may have seemed like a smart move in terms of tire management, Elliott’s unexpected exit from the race left many fans angry and searching for someone to blame.
The incident with Elliott’s team calls into question the delicate balance NASCAR must maintain in trying to please both die-hard fans and the strategic minds behind the teams. While some fans will always stand by their drivers and crew chiefs no matter the outcome, others may feel more willing to criticize decisions when things don’t go according to plan.
With the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs just around the corner, it will be interesting to see how the fallout from the Richmond race affects Elliott’s performance going forward. Fans will undoubtedly continue to support him, but whether their fiery defense of their favorite driver will lead to more intense scrutiny of his team’s decisions remains to be seen.
Conclusion
Chase Elliott’s DNF at Richmond was a rare and frustrating result for one of NASCAR’s most beloved drivers. But the reaction from his fans — and the backlash directed at Jeff Gluck for defending Alan Gustafson — reveals the deeply personal connection fans have with their drivers and the lengths they’ll go to protect them. As NASCAR heads into the playoffs, the intensity of this debate is likely to continue, with fans on both sides of the issue passionately defending their views. The future of Elliott’s season may depend as much on the team’s strategy as it does on how the fans react to these moments of tension.
