Chase Elliott showed strong competitiveness during the Dover race on Sunday, starting from pole position and remaining a contender throughout the event despite finishing sixth. His Dover race performance was marked by consistent speed and strategic challenges, highlighting both his ability and the impact of a critical decision made by crew chief Alan Gustafson.
Chase Elliott Demonstrates Consistent Strength at Dover
Chase Elliott, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, began the Dover race in prime position and stayed actively involved in the frontrunners during a contest disrupted by a rain break. Although Elliott ultimately settled for a top-10 finish, his pace and race presence stood out to observers. NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi reflected on the performance, emphasizing that Elliott’s efforts were some of the best seen this season.
On the Teardown podcast, Bianchi noted that Elliott’s team was exhibiting qualities they hadn’t consistently shown this year, such as leading laps and winning a stage. These achievements were significant milestones for the #9 team, underlining a breakthrough in form.
“I think this was a phenomenal race for Chase Elliott. The result is going to say sixth, but this was to me and I understand they won at Atlanta. This was a great performance and I think their best performance of the year. They were consistently fast throughout the entire race. They won a stage today, by the way, which is the first time they’ve done that all year.”
—Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
“They did the things today that we have talked about them not doing, leading a bunch of laps, winning a stage, putting themselves in position. This wasn’t a team that was just grinding out another top 10. This was a team that was in the mix and was a team to beat today,”
—Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
Adding further context, Bianchi pointed out that the #9 team is showing signs of steadily improving as the season progresses, with Elliott maintaining the best average finish compared to all other drivers so far. Except for his win at Atlanta, Elliott has remained inside the top five in six different races this season, never finishing worse than 20th.
Debate Over Strategic Tire Decision Underlines Dover Outcome
Despite the strong show of pace, Jordan Bianchi raised concerns about a strategic call made by Elliott’s crew chief Alan Gustafson during the Dover race. According to Bianchi, the tire strategy chosen was questionable given the conditions and overall tire wear during the event.
Bianchi described Gustafson as a frequent target of criticism among fans when strategy decisions do not lead to ideal results. He was skeptical of the decision to pit or change tires at a particular point, believing that the advantages of staying on the track with older tires outweighed the risks.
“I didn’t like the call. It didn’t seem like tire wear today was a huge factor. Yeah, the tires gave away after a certain time and you saw a little bit of corroding everywhere, but we saw drivers in older tires be able to do things and I didn’t like that call then. I like the idea of staying out being aggressive and holding your line,”
—Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider
Furthermore, Bianchi emphasized the value of maintaining clean air at Dover, a factor he sees as more critical here than on any other track in the NASCAR calendar. From his perspective, keeping Elliott aggressive and in clear air would have enhanced their chances to control the race pace and possibly improve their finishing position.
Chase Elliott’s Season Momentum and Future Prospects
Chase Elliott’s performance at Dover adds to a season characterized by steady and impressive results under pressure. With a track record that includes a win at Atlanta and multiple top-five finishes, Elliott and the Hendrick Motorsports team appear to be bringing their strongest form into the later stages of the season.
While the sixth-place finish at Dover might not fully reflect Elliott’s chance to win, the competitive pace and race leadership demonstrated hint at continued potential. Questions remain regarding strategic calls under varying conditions, but Elliott’s talent and the team‘s speed keep them positioned as contenders moving forward.
The lessons from Dover, especially around the discussed tire strategy, may influence future decision-making, as the team seeks to translate their strong race form into consistent victories.