Chase Briscoe, the latest addition to Joe Gibbs Racing, has quickly become a formidable contender. Despite joining a team led by accomplished drivers Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, who have collectively amassed five victories this season, Briscoe stands confidently at P12 after 10 races. He’s impressively close to the leaders, trailing behind only William Byron by 154 points. Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs, now in his third season with Joe Gibbs Racing, faces his unique challenge as he seeks his first win while currently holding P22.
Briscoe has been adapting to life in the #19 Toyota after his previous experience with the #14 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing. Reflecting on the transition, Briscoe expressed his desire to emulate his teammates’ success, saying, “I want to win, especially when your teammates have been winning. It’s like, well, if they’re winning, we can win, too.” He is optimistic, noting that his car showed potential speed during a recent race at Bristol. Although there are challenges in adjusting setups in practice and races, Briscoe maintains that the team is close to finding the right balance for future victories.
Despite adjustments still underway, Briscoe remains upbeat, recognizing that frustration is part of the process when teammates are continually winning.
“It is still very, very new and there are a lot of things that are different that I’m trying to get acclimated to,”
he acknowledged. An earlier penalty incident that was overturned has helped stabilize his season, allowing him to focus on racing.
While Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell capture much of the spotlight, Briscoe has not become complacent. As the NASCAR Cup Series progresses past a quarter of the season, Briscoe has already garnered three top-five finishes and an additional top-10, demonstrating his competitive edge. His recent P4 finish at Bristol Motor Speedway equaled his season-best results from Homestead-Miami Speedway and Daytona, signifying a distinct improvement from last season’s four top-10s without any top-fives.
Briscoe remains candid about his ongoing journey with Joe Gibbs Racing, admitting, “I still feel like we’re not 100 percent… for me, I don’t feel like I’m firing on all cylinders yet. I still feel like I’m learning things about the car every week.” Nonetheless, he retains confidence that their advancements on the simulator will soon translate into heightened performance on the track.
As Joe Gibbs Racing continues to thrive with a strong lineup, including Chase Briscoe’s promising developments, the team anticipates more thrilling performances. Briscoe’s determination and persistence offer a glimpse into a bright future where he aims to contribute his share of victories to the team’s ongoing success.
