Gordon's crew chief disheartened by NASCAR suspensions
AVONDALE, Ariz. — First, Alan Gustafson lost a chance to win last Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway when Brad Keselowski hit Jeff Gordon's car. Next, he lost three crew members, suspended by NASCAR for their role in the postrace brawl. Then, NASCAR fined him $50,000, citing a rule that a crew chief assumes responsibility for his team members' actions.
Still, Gustafson has helped Gordon to his best season since 2007, pursuing an elusive fifth championship. The No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet has consistently been fast. They've won four races and will battle for one of four spots in the Chase for the Cup finale in today's Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Gustafson, 39, became Gordon's crew chief in 2011 after winning stints with Mark Martin and Kyle Busch. He's won at PIR with all three drivers.
He spoke with azcentral sports Friday. His comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Question: Where were you when the fight began?
Answer: I was walking back to the garage. I heard the crowd gasp, it was pretty loud, and I knew something was happening and there was a good chance we were involved.
Q: What's your reaction to NASCAR's penalties?
A: It's frustrating. I feel like team members are second-class citizens and they take the brunt of it. That's pretty apparent by the fines and suspensions. It's not unusual but when it's blatantly in your face like that, it's disheartening. Some of those guys are going to lose the opportunity to compete for a championship.
Q: Were those suspended crew who service the car during pit stops?
A: No. But they are guys who sacrifice to have success: Mechanics, engine tuners and truck drivers that contribute significantly to the team.
PHOTOS: Brawl breaks out at Texas Motor Speedway
Q: How did you get everyone refocused for PIR?
A: We've got together quite a few times. There's definitely mixed emotions. It's not an easy thing to deal with. The best thing we can do is perform at a high level and win.
Q: Have you noticed anything different in Jeff this season?
A: Not really. He's always very focused. I think success gives you confidence to where you're much more assertive. Our whole team's that way and I see that in him. We have struggled with that in the past, at times. When you lose that decisiveness you miss out on some opportunities. That's significant. But he has that same work ethic in good times and bad.
Q: Why have you been so successful at PIR?
A: It's always been a special place for me. I liked the old track (before 2011 reconfiguration) a little better. It reminded me of the short tracks where I grew up and what you had to have with the car. It's coming back to the Phoenix of old. You have to have a car that turns well and drives off the corner.
Q: How crazy do you think this race might be with eight drivers/teams going for a championship?
A: It's getting crazier by the day. I don't expect that to taper off. I expect it to be chaotic. The restarts breed that. That's where it's going to happen because once it gets strung out, if you have a good enough car, you can drive away. Those restarts, guys know that's their only opportunity to get to you.
Knight also writes for The Arizona Republic, a Gannett property