Chase Elliott’s crew chief goes on an angry on team radio after Ross Chastain’s “stupidity” at COTA

2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott’s crew chief was furious after Ross Chastain wrecked his driver.

Chase Elliott’s crew chief goes on an angry on team radio after Ross Chastain’s “stupidity” at COTA

Chase Eliott and Ross Chastain (Via IMAGO)

Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott is one of the most accomplished Road Course racers in the NASCAR Cup Series. So, coming into the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA, he was expected to be one of the drivers to challenge for win. But his day ended in a P4 finish, as getting caught in multiple incidents throughout the race ruined his progress.

Chase Elliott’s poor luck started on lap one of the races as he was spun from behind going into turn-1 by Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain. This left the No:9 team crew chief Alan Gustafson furious and the veteran went on a radio rant on the team radio. He called out the No:1 Chevy drivers “stupid” move and urged Elliott to send him to the wall.

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You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just stupidity but you know, we’re gonna have to pay that shit back, because I’m over people like that constantly doing dumb shit. When we get a chance to send him, we’re sending that 1 car.

Alan Gustafson said on team radio.

Chase Elliott responded to the comments from his crew chief, asserting that he is ready to do what is needed. But he did have one condition, he wanted to make sure it wasn’t his mistake that caused the situation.

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No, that’s totally fine. I’ll do what I need to do. But I just need to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong before I do it.

Chase Elliott said.

Chase Elliott labels the COTA race day as crazy

The Hedrick Motorsports driver shared his feelings about how the whole race played out after the event. He pointed out that it was a crazy day for him as he got run over on lap one and suffered significant damages that killed his momentum. He also highlighted how his crew chief Alan Gustafson did a great job at fixing his car.

Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott (Via Imago)

It was just a crazy day, really. I got run over, I felt like, there in the first corner. I’m curious to see it. I still haven’t seen it to know whether or not I did something wrong. I’m happy to own it, if I did. I just felt like it was the first corner of the first lap, and it’s just a bummer to get behind and then we had damage. Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) and the guys did a great job fixing it and getting it that close.

Chase Elliott said.

The comment from Elliott shows if not for the wreck earlier in the race, he might have had a chance at racing for the win at the end against Christopher Bell. It would be interesting to see how the No:9 team will bounce back in the coming races.