‘I know the effort that I've put in,’ Chase Elliott’s crew chief shuts down doubters with David Goggins mindset

Chase Elliott delivered a commanding performance to win the Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 3, marking his second victory of the young NASCAR Cup Series season.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver led a race-high 87 laps and held off Denny Hamlin by just 0.407 seconds in a tense late-race restart battle, proving once again why he’s a perennial contender when the No. 9 Chevrolet clicks.

This win wasn’t just about speed on the 1.5-mile Texas oval. It highlighted the resilience of Elliott’s long-standing partnership with crew chief Alan Gustafson, who made the gutsy call to stay out during the final caution while leaders pitted.

That strategy handed Elliott the track position and the checkered flag, turning potential criticism into celebration. In a season where new car dynamics and early pressure have tested teams, this victory feels like a statement.

1. Alan Gustafson Shuts Down Critics with David Goggins Inspiration

Elliott now sits strong in the standings with two wins through 11 races, a pace that outstrips his previous seasons. He’s led 196 laps already and collected consistent top-10 finishes. For a guy whose reputation as “the most popular driver” sometimes overshadows the raw results, this early success builds real momentum heading into the playoffs. Hendrick Motorsports has been navigating adjustments with the new Chevrolet package, while Toyotas like those from 23XI and Joe Gibbs Racing came out swinging. Jeff Gordon, HMS vice chairman, noted post-race that the competition brought heat from the offseason, but teams like Elliott’s are finding their groove. A win like this boosts confidence not just for Elliott but for the entire organization as they chase more checkered flags. Gustafson directly addressed the noise in the post-race press conference. The veteran crew chief, who’s been with Elliott since 2016, leaned into motivational speaker David Goggins’ tough-love philosophy.

2. The Elliott-Gustafson Partnership: Built to Last

Few driver-crew chief duos in modern NASCAR have the staying power of Elliott and Gustafson. Entering their 11th season together, they’ve racked up 23 wins, including the 2020 Cup Series championship. That’s the longest active pairing in the garage, outlasting most others by a wide margin. Their bond started when Elliott took over the No. 24 from Jeff Gordon in 2016, and they’ve weathered injuries, rule changes, and performance slumps side by side. Elliott spoke glowingly about the day and the team: “I’m proud of our team for that because anytime you can check off new boxes in this sport when you’ve been doing it for 10-plus years is cool. It’s hard to do. It’s hard to win.” He called it one of their strongest runs in a while, a sentiment that carries weight from a driver who knows what elite performance feels like. Gustafson echoed the appreciation: “I’m super fortunate to work for HMS, and I love Chase to death. We have a great relationship and a great team. And I just do the best I can, and the rest is gonna take care of itself.” That kind of mutual respect is rare and clearly pays off on days like Sunday. Texas Motor Speedway delivered the usual chaos mixed with strategy. Pole-sitter Carson Hocevar showed speed early, but wrecks and pit-road incidents took out contenders. Christopher Bell lost a potential win when clipped by a spinning Todd Gilliland while leading. Chase Briscoe and Joey Logano tangled on pit road. Ty Gibbs hit the wall after contact. Through it all, Elliott stayed clean. He methodically worked his way forward, leading 87 laps and positioning himself perfectly for the late restart. The final caution set up the pivotal choice: pit for fresh tires or stay out for track position. Gustafson’s decision kept Elliott up front, where he fended off Hamlin’s charge in the closing laps. Alex Bowman grabbed back-to-back thirds after missing early races with vertigo, showing his recovery. Kyle Busch and John Hunter Nemechek had a post-race tangle that NASCAR will review. But the spotlight stayed on the No. 9 team’s execution.

3. Broader Implications

Elliott’s win moves him up in the standings, currently third or fourth, depending on the exact point totals, trailing leaders like Tyler Reddick, who’s been dominant with multiple victories. But two early wins for Elliott signal he’s a legitimate title threat, especially as the schedule shifts to road courses and shorter tracks where his versatility shines. The new car and body rules have leveled some playing fields but rewarded teams that adapt quickly. Hendrick’s progress, combined with Elliott’s driving, positions them well. For fans, it’s exciting to see the “most popular driver” contending at the front rather than fighting mid-pack. The Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen International next for a rare spring road course event on Mother’s Day weekend. It’s a track where road course aces like Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch, and others will shine, with multiple series running. Elliott has a strong history on road courses, adding another layer of intrigue. Expect the No. 9 team to carry this Texas momentum forward. With playoffs approaching, every point and stage win matters. In the end, Sunday at Texas was more than a win. It was validation for a driver and crew chief who’ve bet on each other for over a decade.

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