Chase Briscoe delivered his best-ever road course performance as he took second place at Sonoma Raceway in Sunday’s toyota/”>Toyota/Save Mart 350, coming closest to challenging Shane van Gisbergen’s commanding lead. The result further cements Briscoe’s growth as he contends for top spots in the Cup Series, marking another highlight in his season as a Chase Briscoe Sonoma road course runner-up.
Van Gisbergen Sets the Pace at Sonoma
Shane van Gisbergen set an unmatchable rhythm throughout the Toyota/Save Mart 350, leading 97 of the 110 laps on Sonoma Raceway’s winding track. He only surrendered the lead briefly due to pit stops at the end of Stages 1 and 2, as well as on Lap 84, yet still managed to rack up 19 stage points. The dominance was so profound that even strategic maneuvers by others—including front runners like Chase Elliott and Michael McDowell—could not close the gap.
Briscoe’s Consistent Push Against a Road Course Master
Briscoe put forward relentless effort during late-race restarts, hoping to overtake van Gisbergen. Despite his best attempts, he ultimately finished second for his top Cup Series road course result yet. In his words:
“I never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s probably what it was like,”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Briscoe continued to praise van Gisbergen, highlighting just how challenging it was to keep pace with such a formidable competitor through the twists and turns of Sonoma.
Strategic Moves and Team Collaboration
Throughout the event, Briscoe maintained a strong presence near the front of the field. The No. 19 car, a proven performer at Sonoma with Martin Truex Jr., started near the front and, under the guidance of James Small, shifted strategy by finishing seventh in Stage 1 and sixth in Stage 2. Briscoe acknowledged that the team shared their playbook with him, especially regarding techniques where Truex typically excelled, enabling Briscoe to extract more from the 1.99-mile course.
As late race cautions shook up pit strategies, Small’s decision to keep Briscoe on track while other contenders pitted kept him in direct contention with van Gisbergen. The approach paid off as Briscoe and van Gisbergen outpaced rivals like Chase Elliott and Michael McDowell, who gambled by coming in for fresh tires.
“I thought there was one restart I was maybe going to get clear of him, but truthfully even if I cleared him, he was probably going to pass me back by the end of the lap. We were a second-place car all day and ended up second with it.”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
A Personal Best and Ongoing Growth for Briscoe
Reflecting on the day, Briscoe described his experience during the race:
“I honestly don’t know what more I need,”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
He elaborated on the challenge Shane van Gisbergen posed, saying even when he closed the gap, van Gisbergen would simply pull away. Despite some frustration, Briscoe expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, noting that Sonoma has historically been his toughest venue, yet he performed above expectations. This runner-up result marks his seventh top-five finish in the first 20 races of the season, already surpassing his prior single-season best.
Building Momentum with Team and Sponsors
Now firmly a weekly contender, Briscoe credited the team’s improvement and unity for the surge. He recognized contributions from partners and supporters, stating:
“Just so honored and thankful that I get to drive this 19 car with Bass Pro Shops on the hood,”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
“I cannot thank Johnny Morris, J.P. Morris, the entire Toyota family, Bass Pro Shops family, and obviously Joe Gibbs Racing for giving me this opportunity because I am certainly having the time of my life right now. It’s fun running week in and week out in the Cup Series and feeling like you have a shot to go win.”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Next Challenge: Looking Ahead to Dover
After his best-ever finish on a road course, Chase Briscoe looks forward to building on this momentum when the Cup Series moves on to Dover Motor Speedway. Briscoe has previously finished as high as 13th at Dover, and with newfound consistency and confidence, both he and the No. 19 team aim higher. The continued progression signals that Briscoe, alongside key figures like James Small and the support of Joe Gibbs Racing, may soon achieve a breakthrough win, further establishing himself among NASCAR’s top competitors.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe be in 2025?
A. In 2025, Chase Briscoe will become part of Joe Gibbs Racing, a team known for winning championships. He will drive the No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE, replacing Martin Truex Jr., who is retiring.
