“He Does Not Care if He’s Gonna Hurt Your Feelings”—HMS Star’s Blunt Admission About His Crew Chief After Losing Former Crew Chief That Shaped the Team

In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, where split-second decisions and flawless teamwork can make or break a race, the relationship between a driver and their crew chief is crucial. The crew chief is the strategist, the voice in the driver’s ear, and the person responsible for making critical adjustments to the car during pit stops.

When a successful crew chief departs from a team, it can leave a significant void to fill. Such is the case with Hendrick Motorsports losing Greg Ives, who had been the crew chief of Alex Bowman‘s #48 team.

Alex Bowman talks about struggling to adjust to the new crew chief

Joining Dale Earnhardt Jr on the sets of The Dale Jr. Download, Bowman discussed the transition from working with Greg Ives to his new crew chief, Blake Harris. Bowman expressed his appreciation for Ives’s role in his career and the success they achieved together at HMS.

He admitted, “Yeah, so that’s been super cool for me, like obviously, loved working with Greg; was a huge part of my career from the time when I filled in for you, all the way through seven cup wins and we had a lot of fun together.”

Moreover, Alex Bowman also the unique qualities that make Harris an invaluable addition to the team. Bowman’s comments shed light on the kind of no-nonsense approach that Harris brings to the table. “Blake is super intense, like all in, 100% at every moment. And he does not care if he’s gonna hurt your feelings when he says something. He doesn’t care if he’s being mean.

“Like if it needs to be said, it’s getting said.

“If I do something wrong, I’m an idiot, and why am I doing that, and stop doing that.“

While some drivers may be uncomfortable with such directness, Bowman recognizes the value in having someone who pushes him beyond his comfort zone. He acknowledged this, saying, “I needed somebody to push me and obviously 5 years ago I would have been so uncomfortable in that situation and like not wanted that. But now, I think, I want that. I need somebody that pushes me and I’m a bit uncomfortable with it sometimes but it makes me a better race car driver so I think it’s been a really good relationship.” 

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A look inside Blake Harris’s approach as a crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports

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Harris’s track record and experience in the sport make him well-suited for his new role as the crew chief for the #48 team. Hailing from Maypearl, Texas, Harris started his racing career at a young age, honing his skills in dirt go-karts and later moving on to stock cars. His journey eventually led him to NASCAR, where he gained experience with various teams, including Evernham Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, Furniture Row Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing.

Harris’s arrival at Hendrick Motorsports has already shown promising results. In the first race of the 2023 season at Daytona International Speedway, Bowman took the pole, demonstrating the speed and competitiveness of the #48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro. With Harris’s expertise and Bowman’s exceptional driving skills, the team is expected to have more success throughout the season.

As the NASCAR Cup Series progresses, there will be several eyes on the #48 team and Blake Harris. His blunt and unapologetic approach may ruffle a few feathers, but if it leads to improved performance and more victories for Alex Bowman, then it’s an important factor for success.

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