Denny Hamlin Praises Gustafson's Martinsville Call, But Remains Cautious

Hamlin acknowledges the risk and reward of Elliott crew chief's bold strategy that led to victory.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:18pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the final laps of the Martinsville Speedway race, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the intense competition and decisive moments that led to Chase Elliott's victory.Gustafson's daring strategy call proved pivotal in Elliott's late-race surge to victory at Martinsville.Martinsville Today

Denny Hamlin offered a measured response when asked whether Chase Elliott's crew chief, Alan Gustafson, deserved praise for the bold strategy call that ultimately led to Elliott's win at Martinsville Speedway. Hamlin recognized that the call was risky but acknowledged that it paid off, allowing Elliott to get around Hamlin late and secure the victory.

Why it matters

Gustafson's call to pit Elliott early and commit to a two-stop strategy was a high-risk, high-reward move that flipped the narrative around Hendrick Motorsports, which had yet to win a race in the 2026 season. The outcome of the call has sparked a conversation around the balance between conventional and aggressive strategies in NASCAR.

The details

With Elliott running in ninth deep into Stage 3, Gustafson made the decision to bring him to pit road on Lap 261, well before the leaders. This temporarily handed Elliott the lead, but also left him vulnerable once the field cycled through. Hamlin, who had controlled the race, reclaimed the top spot on fresher tires. However, a timely caution for debris erased the gap and reset the field, allowing Elliott to restart near the front and ultimately get around Hamlin in the closing laps to secure the win.

  • On Lap 261, Gustafson brought Elliott to pit road, committing to a two-stop strategy.
  • A caution for debris came out, erasing Hamlin's lead and resetting the field.

The players

Denny Hamlin

A NASCAR driver who was leading the race at Martinsville Speedway before Elliott's late-race pass.

Alan Gustafson

Chase Elliott's crew chief, who made the bold call to pit Elliott early and commit to a two-stop strategy.

Chase Elliott

The driver of the No. 9 car, who ultimately won the race at Martinsville Speedway after Gustafson's strategy call.

Rick Hendrick

The owner of Hendrick Motorsports, who called Gustafson before the race, adding a sense of urgency to the team's performance.

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What they’re saying

“Sure. It worked out. It likely was going to equal a worse finish, I believe, had it all shake once it all shook out in the wash, because he was going to have to pit an extra time, more than everyone else. If y'all don't know, you go laps down. So, it worked out. Third and 15 is right. Running go routes, and they caught it.”

— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver

“Super happy that it paid off. We were just kind of trapped in like 10th spot. … It's really hard to pass, and we just needed to do something different.”

— Alan Gustafson, Chase Elliott's Crew Chief

“When the boss calls you, it gets your attention.”

— Alan Gustafson, Chase Elliott's Crew Chief

What’s next

The outcome of the race and Gustafson's strategy call will likely be a topic of discussion in the NASCAR community, as teams and drivers evaluate the balance between conventional and aggressive strategies.

The takeaway

Gustafson's bold call to pit Elliott early and commit to a two-stop strategy at Martinsville Speedway paid off, allowing Elliott to get around Hamlin late and secure the victory. While Hamlin acknowledged the risk of the call, he also recognized that it ultimately worked out, highlighting the delicate balance between conventional and aggressive strategies in NASCAR.