Chase Elliott’s aspirations for the regular-season championship suffered a serious setback at Watkins Glen on August 10, 2025, where a disappointing 26th-place finish left fans and analysts questioning the decisions made by crew chief Alan Gustafson. Once a favorite for the title and trailing teammate William Byron by only 18 points before the race, Elliott now finds himself 42 points behind with just two races remaining before the playoffs, causing mounting frustration over his championship struggles.

Watkins Glen Performance Raises Alarms on Strategy and Setup

Entering Watkins Glen as a two-time winner on the road course and showing solid pace throughout the season, Elliott was expected to leverage this track to narrow the gap in the points standings. Instead, his race was marred by a lack of speed and ineffective pit strategy that left him starting deep in the field in 20th place and never gaining meaningful ground. The inability to secure better track position was particularly damaging given the importance of road course points heading into the final stages of the regular season.

The man in charge of those decisions, Alan Gustafson, is a seasoned veteran who has been Elliott’s crew chief since 2016 and led him to the 2020 Cup Series title along with 18 career wins. Despite his proven record and respect in the NASCAR community, Gustafson’s pit calls and car setup for this race sparked intense criticism from fans who had grown restless with recent results. Instead of a strategic masterclass, the race unfolded as a disappointment that exposed cracks in the driver-crew chief partnership at a pivotal moment.

Fan Backlash Intensifies Over Pit Box Decisions

Following the race, social media erupted with negative reactions aimed squarely at Gustafson’s pit calls and overall race strategy. Many argued the No. 9 car’s poor setup doomed Elliott before the race even began, intensifying the belief that both preparation and in-race adjustments were mishandled. One commentator bluntly stated, “Bad car, bad strategy!!” capturing the sentiment that the outcome was sealed early due to fundamental flaws.

This disappointment was compounded by calls for organizational accountability within Hendrick Motorsports, as observations mounted that the Elliott-Gustafson duo might have reached a plateau. The frustration spilled over into harsh social media commentary, including this pointed remark:

Alan Gustafson has got to go bro how much more can he get away with before Rick and Jeff wake the f–k up.

—Anonymous Fan, Twitter

Here, Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, key figures in Hendrick Motorsports leadership, were urged to reconsider the current structure and possibly initiate a shake-up in the crew chief role to revitalize Elliott’s championship prospects. This blunt assessment reflected a growing impatience among the fanbase, fed by a string of underwhelming performances in recent races.

Criticism Pours onto Driver and Crew Chief Amid Fan Frustration

Fans did not limit their anger to Gustafson’s pit strategy but also directed sharp words toward Elliott’s performance and driving style. Critics described Elliott’s approach as lacking the aggression necessary to overcome adversities during tight road course challenges. One Twitter user vented,

That’s what happens when you suck, the calls suck, the car stinks, and have zero level of aggression.

—Anonymous User, Twitter

This harsh assessment blamed both the driver’s measured style and the pit box’s cautious decisions for the poor finish. Another frustrated fan amplified the sentiment by labeling the duo as

“Worst CC in the Cup garage paired with a driver who drives like a p—- and you get the NAPA 9!!!”

This jab toward Elliott’s sponsor and car number epitomized a vocal segment of the fandom that equates passivity with defeat, calling for bolder, more aggressive tactics during critical moments.

Mounting Doubts Over the Elliott-Gustafson Partnership

The fallout at Watkins Glen has sparked broader debate about whether Hendrick Motorsports should reconsider the long-standing collaboration between Elliott and Gustafson. Despite past successes, the recent run of disappointing results, culminating in the Glen debacle, has led some to believe that change may be necessary to restore championship viability.

One user expressed a more measured but sobering perspective:

After that embarrassing performance I’ll assume the regular season championship is probably out of reach.

—Anonymous Fan, Twitter

While less emotionally charged than other reactions, this comment underscores the stark realization that Elliott’s bid for the regular-season title may have effectively ended with this race. It also highlights the precarious position the team now faces as they prepare for the final two events before the playoffs commence.

The Road Ahead for Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports

The mounting frustration within Elliott’s fanbase due to his championship struggles and the handling of pit strategy illustrates the high stakes involved in the closing stages of the NASCAR regular season. At just two races away from the playoffs, the pressure on both Elliott and Gustafson has never been greater to deliver performances that can reestablish confidence and momentum.

With the points deficit widening and questions swirling about whether the current crew chief–driver combination can deliver another championship, the team must critically assess its approach moving forward. Whether this means strategic adjustments, personnel changes, or a renewed emphasis on more aggressive race tactics remains to be seen.

For now, the episode at Watkins Glen serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly fortunes can shift in NASCAR, leaving championship hopes dangling and a passionate fanbase eager for answers. As Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports head into the concluding races of the regular season, all eyes will be on them to see if they can turn this tide and salvage a title run before the playoffs begin.