Chase Elliott Interview After Winning at Martinsville | VICTORY LAP
About this episode
Chase Elliott breaks down his Martinsville win, crediting a team effort and a bold alternate pit strategy from crew chief Alan Gustafson. Elliott explains how he didn’t realize they were two-stopping until later, then saw the plan could pay off when a caution fell at the right time. He also talks about the value of trust built over 11 years, the significance of finally winning early in the season, and what to expect at Bristol—another short track with a learning curve tied to Chevrolet’s new body change. He plans a low-key off week at home.
two-stopping
"At the time, when we first pitted, I didn't know we were two-stopping and I didn't know that everyone else wasn't."
A “two-stopping” strategy means the team plans to pit twice during the race. That affects tires, fuel, and when you’re on track versus in the pits.
In NASCAR, a “two-stopping” strategy means the car makes two pit stops during the race. Teams plan tire/fuel timing around track conditions and cautions to maximize speed and track position.
total team effort
"Definitely a total team effort. Welcome into the Victory Lap."
“Total team effort” means the win isn’t just the driver’s doing. The pit crew, engineers, and strategists all have to perform well too.
“Total team effort” highlights that NASCAR success depends on more than the driver. Pit crew execution, car setup, and strategy all have to work together to achieve track position and speed.
Martinsville
"So happy to have our Martinsville winner, Chase Elliott, joining the show."
Martinsville is a NASCAR track where the racing is very close and the turns are tight. Because of that, pit stops and tire management matter a lot.
Martinsville Speedway is a short track in NASCAR known for tight turns and heavy braking zones. Those characteristics make tire management and pit timing especially important.
last run
"...but, you know, Denny kept us honest that last run and, you know, always fun to race him there."
“Last run” means the final stretch of the race. That’s when tires and fuel really matter, and drivers try to make their best moves.
“Last run” refers to the final stint of the race, when tire condition and fuel remaining determine how hard drivers can push. Teams often plan around the last run because it’s where position battles and strategy gambles pay off—or hurt you.
something left in the tank
"So it was just trying to have something left in the tank there."
“Something left in the tank” means the car still has more speed available. The driver is trying not to use up everything too early.
“Something left in the tank” means the driver still has performance in reserve—enough tire grip and engine power to push when it matters. It’s a common racing way to describe saving resources for the end of the race or for a key battle.
pit strategy
"And yeah, obviously great strategy called by Alan to kind of jump start our day."
Pit strategy is the plan for when the team stops in the pits. The timing can help you stay fast longer and avoid losing positions.
Pit strategy is how the team decides when to pit, how many stops to make, and what to do during each stop. It’s tightly connected to cautions, tire wear, and how the race unfolds.
strategy called by Alan
"And yeah, obviously great strategy called by Alan to kind of jump start our day."
“Strategy called by Alan” means the team leader made the race plan and decisions. Those calls can include when to pit and how to position the car for the best chance to win.
When the speaker says “strategy called by Alan,” they’re referring to the crew chief/strategy team making real-time decisions. In NASCAR, strategy calls can include pit timing, tire choices, and how to respond to cautions and track position.
jump start our day
"And yeah, obviously great strategy called by Alan to kind of jump start our day."
“Jump start our day” is a strategy phrase meaning the team made an early move that put them into contention sooner than expected. In NASCAR terms, it often points to pit timing that gains track position or sets up a better tire window.
in the mix
"...but, you know, that got us up in the mix and gave us a head-to-head shot."
Being “in the mix” means running among the front group and having a realistic chance to contend for position. In NASCAR, that’s often the result of strategy, pit timing, and managing tire wear so you can make moves late.
Alan Gustafson
"Um, you referenced that alternate pit strategy that your crew chief Alan Gustafson employed. Um, you and him have been together 11 years."
Alan Gustafson is the crew chief—basically the person in charge of the race plan for the car. He helps decide things like when to pit, which can be the difference between winning and losing.
Alan Gustafson is a NASCAR crew chief known for making race-calling decisions like pit strategy and adjustments during key moments. In NASCAR, the crew chief’s calls heavily influence how the car performs relative to the competition.
pitted
"So, uh, at the time, you know, when we first pitted, I, I didn't know we were two stopping and I didn't know that everyone else wasn't."
“Pitted” means the race car went into the pit lane to get serviced. Usually that’s for things like tires, and it’s a big part of race strategy.
“Pitted” means the car enters the pit lane for service during the race—typically tire changes, fuel, and adjustments. In NASCAR strategy, when you pit (and how long you stay) can strongly affect track position and race outcome.
restart
"Like, even if it went green and I was kind of hoping it was going to go green. Um, you know, at that point in time, but yeah, caught a caution at the right time and, and ended up playing into our favor that way too."
A “restart” is when the race starts running fast again after a caution. It’s a key moment because positions can change quickly right away.
A “restart” is the moment racing resumes after a caution, with cars accelerating back to racing speed in a controlled order. Restarts are high-leverage moments in NASCAR because they can shuffle positions quickly and reward teams with the right tires and timing.
caution
"Um, you know, at that point in time, but yeah, caught a caution at the right time and, and ended up playing into our favor that way too."
A “caution” is when NASCAR slows the field due to an on-track incident, usually controlled by a yellow flag. Cautions can drastically reshape strategy because teams may pit under caution and because the field bunches up, changing relative track position.
capitalize
"And you capitalize with that chance getting a win early in the season too."
To “capitalize” means to take advantage of a good opportunity. In racing, that often means turning the right timing into a strong finish or even a win.
To “capitalize” on a chance means to convert favorable circumstances—like strategy timing, cautions, or track position—into a tangible result such as a win. In NASCAR, early-season wins can also build momentum and confidence for the team.
early in the season
"And you capitalize with that chance getting a win early in the season too. I know you mentioned that after the race, why is that so big for, for you and the organization..."
“Early in the season” matters because NASCAR points and momentum are built over the full year, and early wins can set a team’s tone. A strong start can also influence confidence in car setup and strategy decisions as the season progresses.
off season type off weekend break
"...especially going into a break at a little off season type off weekend break?"
An “off weekend” is a time when there isn’t a race. Teams use it to look back at what happened and get ready for the next race.
An “off weekend” is a scheduled break where there’s no race, giving teams time to regroup, review data, and prepare for the next event. In NASCAR, these breaks can be especially useful after a big result because teams can refine setups and strategy based on what worked.
rhythm
"“...try and get some more throughout the year and fall into a good rhythm.”"
“Rhythm” is about getting into a groove where the car feels right and the team can repeat what’s working. Instead of struggling, they can stay consistent from lap to lap.
In NASCAR, “rhythm” refers to the team and driver finding a consistent performance pattern across practice, qualifying, and race stints. It often means repeating the right setup balance and tire management so the car feels predictable lap after lap.
off weeks
"“Um, so at least we get a few more days to enjoy it selfishly and you know, kind of going into an off weeks, kind of, kind of fun and cool and different.”"
An “off week” in NASCAR is a break between races where teams use the downtime for car evaluation, testing, and preparation for the next event. It’s also a chance to regroup on strategy and make adjustments based on recent performance.
short track
"“Just on your past experiences and yet another short track.” “Yeah, you know, I look forward to going.”"
A “short track” is a smaller NASCAR oval. Because the turns come up quickly and the racing is tighter, the cars have to be set up to grip well and stay stable while drivers run close together.
In NASCAR, a “short track” is typically a smaller oval (often around 0.5 miles to 1 mile) where cars run tighter racing lines and braking/turn-in happens more frequently. Setup and driving style often emphasize traction, stability, and managing tire wear in close quarters.
new body change
"[381.2s] you know, learning process with our new body change on the Chevy camp. [384.5s] And we just got to keep working through that and keep our, you know, [387.7s] keep putting our heads together on how we continue to make that better,"
“New body change” refers to NASCAR’s ongoing car body/packaging updates that affect aerodynamics, cooling, and overall handling characteristics. When the body changes, teams must rework setups and driving inputs because the car can behave differently at speed and in traffic.
Bristol
"[391.7s] So Bristol be another, another good test. [394.2s] And, and also, you know, while it is an off week away from the racetrack, [397.4s] it is an extra week for us to, to put our heads together and figure out"
Bristol refers to Bristol Motor Speedway, a NASCAR track known for its short length and high tire/handling demands. Because it’s so demanding, teams often use Bristol as a “test” to see whether their latest setup and aerodynamic learnings are working.
inside the company walls
"[401.5s] how we can be better when we, when we show up to the track again. [404.2s] So I think it's important for us to take advantage of that as well, you know, [407.5s] inside the company walls and, um, I think we'll, we'll do that."
“Inside the company walls” suggests the team will focus on internal development work—engineering meetings, data analysis, and planning—rather than track time. In NASCAR, that often means translating race data into setup changes for the next race.
detail oriented
"Yeah, there's, it's just a lot of little details. And I think what we do nowadays is just extremely detail oriented."
“Detail oriented” highlights how NASCAR teams rely on fine-grained engineering and process control. Small changes in setup, measurement, and execution can compound over a season, especially when rules or bodywork change.
notebook from 2022 all the way through 2025
"And, um, you know, we've obviously had a pretty significant notebook from 2022 all the way through 2025 of one thing."
A “notebook” here implies a structured development log—tracking test results, race data, and lessons learned across multiple seasons. That kind of continuous documentation is how teams turn incremental changes into a competitive package for a new car generation.
fine tuning and tweaking
"...it just takes some time to kind of reassess some of those notes and what's real and what needs, [512.1s] you know, a little bit of fine tuning and tweaking. [518.2s] It's not like it's totally out to lunch..."
That phrase means making small adjustments after testing and feedback. The goal is to get the car to feel right and perform consistently, not just “try something new.”
“Fine tuning and tweaking” refers to small, iterative adjustments to a car setup based on what the team learned from prior runs. In racing, even minor changes can affect tire wear, balance, and how the car responds in different parts of the track.
diagnose
"...it might not be exactly the same. [518.2s] And sometimes that takes a trip or two to attract to diagnose. [521.6s] You mentioned getting to enjoy this win..."
To diagnose means to figure out why something isn’t working the way you want. In racing, you usually check clues from the car and the driver, and you may need a couple tries to be sure.
“Diagnose” in a racing context means identifying the root cause of performance issues using data, driver feedback, and track observations. Teams often need more than one outing to confirm whether a change fixed the problem.
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