Chase Briscoe delivered his finest NASCAR Cup Series performance yet at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, securing a career-best result at a track that has long challenged him. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, a team renowned for its dominance at Kansas with Toyota, Briscoe surged to a fourth-place finish in the AdventHealth 400, stunning fans and analysts alike by overcoming early setbacks and showcasing a dramatic turnaround at one of racing’s trickiest venues.
Since his move to the Cup Series, Briscoe had struggled at Kansas, never finishing inside the top ten in his first eight attempts while racing with Stewart-Haas. Joe Gibbs Racing, however, has consistently found success at the 1.5-mile circuit, highlighted by a strong history with the No. 19 team—the car Briscoe piloted—achieving ten top-ten results in a dozen recent races. Facing a formidable legacy, Briscoe approached the weekend with a sense of urgency, ready to prove himself in elite company.
Preparations did not proceed smoothly. Saturday’s practice saw Briscoe languishing at 31st in single-lap speed and 32nd over ten laps, further hampered by a left-rear tire going flat and sharply curtailing the No. 19 Toyota’s session. In response, crew chief James Small made crucial overnight changes, fully aware these adjustments required Briscoe to start from the rear of the field when racing began on Sunday.
Despite a challenging grid position and a problematic pit stop during the first stage’s green-flag pit cycle, Briscoe showed early resilience, climbing to 17th by the end of the stage. He ranked fourth among the seven drivers who started at the back, with Zane Smith making a similarly impressive charge into the top ten.
While Stage 2 saw Briscoe holding steady in 17th, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final portion of the race.
Briscoe explained.
The chaotic final stage, marred by a sequence of three successive multi-car wrecks and frequent caution periods, saw Briscoe manage the turmoil with poise. As rivals faltered, Briscoe steadily advanced, expertly navigating restarts and avoiding incidents, eventually driving the Joe Gibbs Racing entry into the race’s top tier.
Briscoe’s push during the closing laps was relentless. He surged from outside the top fifteen, climbing to fourth as the checkered flag fell. The finish equaled his best result of the season, matching efforts at the Daytona 500, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway.
Briscoe said.
In his eight previous Kansas starts, Briscoe’s best result was only 13th, with his average finish languishing outside the top twenty. As the second-highest Toyota finisher, trailing only his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell, Briscoe’s bold drive highlighted not only a personal triumph but also the powerful synergy forming between him and the Joe Gibbs Racing organization.
This breakthrough signals a new chapter for Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing. Coming at a pivotal moment in the season, his Kansas performance could redefine expectations and lay the foundation for more top-tier finishes. With momentum now on his side, both Briscoe and his team will look to build on this achievement, aiming for even greater success in the races ahead.
