Chase Briscoe entered his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing with high hopes of making it to the NASCAR Cup Series Final Four, but left Phoenix Raceway on Sunday feeling far more disappointed than expected. Despite having a strong rookie year, Briscoe acknowledged the challenges, telling his team that they had plenty to be proud of given their half-season head start.
Briscoe had spent four seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing before switching to Joe Gibbs Racing, stepping into the No. 19 car following Martin Truex Jr.’s departure, alongside crew chief James Small. Though there was an adjustment period, Briscoe ultimately secured three wins, earned the most poles, and accumulated the highest playoff points out of any driver.
At the start of the season, Briscoe and Small set ambitious goals like 15 top-fives and leading 800 laps, which they nearly achieved. They also aimed for four wins but narrowly missed that mark. So, why the letdown? Briscoe exhibited speed comparable to his strong teammate, Denny Hamlin, but a series of flat tires early in practice and during the race, combined with a less-than-stellar qualifying, severely hampered his chances.
Despite the setbacks, Briscoe fought hard throughout the race with solid support from his pit crew, moving up through the field multiple times. Reflecting on the race, Briscoe found it tough to accept the missed opportunity, especially since he believed they had the potential to win if not for the tire troubles and other issues.
One key regret Briscoe expressed was not advising Small to switch to two scuff tires like Kyle Larson’s winning crew chief did, instead trusting instincts that didn’t pan out. This decision cost them in qualifying and left Briscoe frustrated by missed chances that might have turned the race around. Still, Briscoe felt the overall season surpassed expectations, recalling how Joe Gibbs contacted him even before Truex’s retirement to show interest in signing him to the team.
Briscoe’s goal remains to build on this strong foundation and aim higher in the coming seasons, using the lessons learned to improve. Reflecting humorously on pressure from Coach Gibbs, he joked about wishing he hadn’t made any mistakes, but remains optimistic about the future.
Fan Take: This story is vital for NASCAR enthusiasts because it highlights the intense pressure and split-second decisions that define a driver’s success in the sport. Chase Briscoe’s journey underscores the importance of resilience and strategy, signaling exciting potential for fresh talent to shake up the racing world next season.
