NASCAR insiders sound off on controversial Chase Elliott, No. 9 team call at Dover

Published: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 4:59 pm

NASCAR's Chase Elliott Suffers Setback at Dover Due to Strategic Pit Call

Dover Motor Speedway witnessed a dramatic turn of events during Sunday's race, leaving Chase Elliott and his No. 9 team grappling with a costly strategic decision. Elliott, starting from the pole position, dominated the race, leading for a significant 238 laps. However, a pivotal pit call during a Stage 3 caution period ultimately derailed his chances of victory.

With rain prompting a caution on Lap 340, Elliott's team opted to pit for two tires. This decision, made by crew chief Alan Gustafson, proved to be a misstep. While Elliott was in the lead, Denny Hamlin and his No. 11 team chose to stay out on older tires, a strategy that ultimately secured Hamlin the win. Elliott, despite his strong performance, finished in a disappointing sixth place.

The decision to pit Elliott, particularly given the importance of clean air at Dover, has drawn criticism from NASCAR insiders. Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, speaking on The Teardown podcast, questioned the call, citing the minimal impact of tire wear during the race. Bianchi argued that the team essentially handed the race to their competitors by giving up their advantageous position. Jeff Gluck, also of The Athletic, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of clean air at Dover and the missed opportunity for Elliott.

Gustafson himself admitted to regretting the call after the race. Despite the setback, the weekend wasn't entirely negative for Elliott. He spent a considerable amount of time in the lead and surpassed teammate William Byron to take the points lead. However, the strategic blunder at Dover will undoubtedly be a point of reflection for the No. 9 team.

BNN's Perspective: While the strategic call was clearly a miscalculation, it's important to remember that racing is inherently unpredictable. The team's aggressive approach, while ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrates a commitment to winning. Elliott's strong performance throughout the race, and his rise to the points lead, indicate a promising season ahead.

Keywords: NASCAR, Chase Elliott, Dover, Denny Hamlin, Alan Gustafson, Strategy, Pit Stop, Race, Motorsport, The Athletic, Clean Air, Tire Wear, Pole Position, Stage 3, Caution

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