Tommy Baldwin, Freddie Kraft baffled by fans calling for Alan Gustafson to be replaced as Chase Elliott crew chief

Chase Elliott is NASCAR‘s most popular driver, and with that means he has a loud and passionate fanbase. And when things have gone wrong this season — as they did Sunday at Watkins Glen International — fans have rushed to place the blame on crew chief Alan Gustafson.

Gustafson’s strategy calls haven’t always worked out. When that’s been the case, the Elliott fanbase has been loud on social media, calling for Hendrick Motorsports to make a change.

Tommy Baldwin thinks highly of Gustafson as a crew chief, he said on Monday’s “Door Bumper Clear” podcast. Baldwin isn’t sure why many Elliott’s fanbase want him out.

“It’s very easy for people to sit back and say that and not understand how good Alan really is,” Baldwin said. “At the end of the day, there might end up being a change and I guarantee the change won’t be firing or getting rid of Alan. They might end swapping crew chiefs, doing some things and seeing some new energy come in, but I don’t really think that’s the problem. They’re in the playoffs again — I don’t know, let’s see at the end of the year what goes on. Alan’s good, I wouldn’t [move on from him].”

No driver is more consistent than Chase Elliott

Elliott and Gustafson have been together since 2016. Gustafson became Elliott’s crew chief following Jeff Gordon‘s retirement in 2015. The Elliott-Gustafson partnership has been a successful one, as Elliott won a Cup Series championship in 2020.

While Elliott has remained consistent in the Next Gen era, the wins have been harder to come by. Elliott has seven wins in the Next Gen car, though just two since the start of the 2023 season. Elliott, however, has mastered the ability to finish inside the top 20 on a regular basis. In fact, his 26th-place finish at Watkins Glen was his first finish outside the top 20 this season.

His remarkable consistency has his competing for a regular season championship. He is currently second in the points standings, 42 points below teammate William Byron with two races remaining. Given his success, Kraft finds the idea of firing Gustafson “moronic.”

“Am I crazy? Is the guy not racing for the regular season championship? … I think Chase has been pretty open about this car doesn’t really fit his driving style a lot, but it just boggles my mind these people. … This question I think is just so moronic,” Kraft said. “That particular fanbase — I don’t know what more you want.

“I get the guy has only won one race this year, but it’s just — the problem with me is you replace Alan with who? Like, you gonna take Chad [Knaus] out of the front office and put him on the box? I don’t agree with it, but I’m sure it’s never gonna change.”