If there’s one thing NASCAR fans do better than scream “Boogity, boogity, boogity” on race day, it’s stir up a juicy rumor. Remember the whispers about Dale Earnhardt nearly jumping to Yates Racing in the ’90s, or the legend that Jeff Gordon would’ve rocked Target red if he’d stayed with Bill Davis Racing? Even the saga of Alan Kulwicki’s sponsor drama still gets recounted, like racing folklore. The NASCAR community is like one massive scanner channel, always tuned to drama.
And now? They’ve latched onto a new hot take that’s got both paddock insiders and X pit crews raising eyebrows. It involves the most loyal fan base in the sport, two crew chiefs, and Rick Hendrick’s war room. On paper, it’s outrageous. In the heart of the fanbase, though, it’s practically destiny. Let’s just say—#NineNation has spoken, and they’re recruiting.
Chase Elliott’s time for change?
All this started after Rodney Childers, the 2014 Championship-winning crew chief, split from Spire Motorsports after just nine races in 2025. Working with Justin Haley’s #7 team, Childers had achieved some decent results and stood 23rd in the standings, but co-owner Jeff Dickerson felt something was missing. Childers agreed to this too, saying, “It just wasn’t working. I wasn’t really feeling it.” Now that Childers was on the market, Chase Elliott’s fan base was begging for Childers to take over from Alan Gustafson!
On the latest episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Freddie Kraft summed up the mood on social media. “Judging by my Twitter replies last night, the nine nation [Chase Elliott’s fans] will pay you [Rodney Childers] whatever you want to go over there and get kick Alan [Elliott’s crew chief] out.” The sentiment reflects the growing restlessness among Chase Elliott’s fans. They are frustrated by a 37-race winless streak and a lack of race-contending speed despite currently sitting fourth in points. Elliott has led just 45 laps this season and is yet to accrue a stage win. What is more disheartening is that all of Elliott’s teammates have been doing well.
Kyle Larson has two wins, William Byron won the Daytona 500, and Alex Bowman has led more laps and has a higher season finish of P2 at Homestead. Something is wrong at #9. Even at Texas last Sunday, Elliott qualified 29th while his teammates all were in the top-15! However, removing Alan Gustaffson as Elliott’s crew chief is far from a simple solution. Tommy Baldwin echoed the sentiment that change may be inevitable, but also defended Alan Gustafson’s credentials. “Alan is really, really good at what he does. But they’ve been together a long time, right?” Baldwin explained. Alan joined Hendrick Motorsports as a crew chief for Kyle Busch in 2005. Then, he was reassigned to Jeff Gordon’s team in 2011. In 2016, Gustafson began serving as Chase Elliott’s crew chief.
Throughout his career, Alan has guided Kyle, Gordon, and Elliott to multiple race wins at tracks like Phoenix, Pocono, and Atlanta. His contribution to Hendrick Motorsports can’t be overstated. With Chase Elliott alone, he’s tallied 18 wins and a Cup Series championship in 2020. But, in the ever-competitive world of NASCAR, even winning combinations can grow stale.
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 10: Chase Elliott 9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet and his crew chief Alan Gustafson confer with team owner Rick Hendrick before the 53rd Annual Quaker State 400 NASCAR, Motorsport, USA race on July 10, 2022 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUL 10 NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart Icon95322070912072
Childers came to Gustafson’s defense, noting the amount of pressure he has working for an organization that expects championships. Childers added, “I think Alan’s got the worst job, you know. The hardest job. I went through a few years with Kevin, there’s some people that are pretty hardcore. I had the county sheriff sitting in front of my house for like a week straight.”
Childers’ own experience underscores the intense pressure and sometimes unreasonable expectations placed on top NASCAR teams and their leaders. As rumors swirl and fans clamor for answers, Rick Hendrick’s reputation for decisive moves looms large. Whether he’ll make a bold change atop the No. 9 pit box remains to be seen. But the conversation reflects the high standards and relentless drive for success that define both Elliott’s fan base and Hendrick Motorsports.
Hendrick’s history of high-profile departures
Hendrick Motorsports has long been a powerhouse in NASCAR. But even the top teams face tough decisions about letting people go. One of the most famous examples is Kyle Busch, who was dropped at the end of the 2007 season to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Busch later reflected, “It could have been fixed. It wasn’t a relationship to terminate, but it ended up happening.”
Busch’s departure wasn’t the only major shakeup. Crew chiefs like Lance McGrew and Kenny Francis, both of whom worked with top-tier drivers, eventually found themselves replaced as Hendrick sought fresh chemistry and results. Even championship-winning crew chief Darian Grubb was let go after guiding Tony Stewart (with Stewart-Haas, but previously at Hendrick) to a title, highlighting the cutthroat nature of the business.
Drivers, too, have felt the sting. Casey Mears in 2008 and Kasey Kahne in 2017 were both released after stints that didn’t meet the organization’s lofty standards. In each case, Hendrick’s decision was rooted in performance, chemistry, or the need to make room for rising stars. These moves, while sometimes controversial, have helped keep Hendrick at the top of the sport.
Rick Hendrick’s reputation for putting people in the right places is well-earned. He’s not afraid to make tough calls, whether it’s bringing in a new driver or shaking up the crew chief lineup. As the current rumor mill swirls around the No. 9 team, history shows that no one’s seat is ever truly safe at Hendrick Motorsports. Do you think Chase Elliott’s team will see changes before the playoffs begin? Let us know in the comments!
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