Chase Briscoe aims Brickyard 400 victory this weekend as he competes at his home track, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, hoping to achieve a win that would place him among Indiana’s motorsport legends. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver secured the pole for Sunday’s race, raising both his own and local fans’ expectations for a memorable performance on July 27.
Briscoe’s Dream and Indiana Roots Fuel His Ambition
Last week, as Briscoe drove home from a simulator session, he found himself considering a victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a thought he rarely entertains. The race, the famed Brickyard 400, holds special meaning for the Mitchell, Indiana native who grew up watching Tony Stewart, his idol and a fellow Hoosier, capture wins at this same event in 2005 and 2007.
Reflecting on his practice and preparation for the race, Briscoe described an uncharacteristic surge of excitement and visualized himself taking the checkered flag, imagining the surge of emotion that would follow.
“I’ve never really thought about winning a race before,”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver. He allowed his mind to wander further, picturing his passionate celebration over the radio and how special that moment would feel.
Chasing the Legacy Set by Indiana Racing Icons
Briscoe’s pride in his roots is unmistakable, particularly since he hails from Mitchell, an Indiana town known for its close-knit community. Inspired by legendary Hoosiers like Tony Stewart, Briscoe has spent time revisiting past Brickyard victories, immersing himself in the thrill of Stewart’s 2005 win via YouTube replays.
“You’re just watching his celebration and everything,”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
“I just kind of put myself in that moment. As an Indiana guy it’s just different, like I don’t know how to explain it.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
The personal significance deepened as Saturday’s qualifying session saw Briscoe claim the pole position over competitor Bubba Wallace, increasing the possibility that his vision could soon become reality.
Historic Achievements Marked by Pole Success at Indianapolis
Capping a season of strong qualifying runs, Briscoe’s pole victory at Indianapolis is his fifth of the year. This accomplishment makes him the first NASCAR driver to claim the poles for the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Brickyard 400 in a single season—a historic marker in his career.
“The Daytona 500 one was cool, going three in a row was cool, but being able to set on the pole here is just so special,”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
“I got out of the car, and hearing the crowd screaming – I don’t have that happen anywhere else.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
Despite the spotlight and its associated responsibilities, Briscoe maintains that he does not feel additional pressure competing on home ground. Instead, he views racing at Indianapolis as a chance to honor his roots and embrace the unique support of the Indiana crowd.
“I think a lot of it is because of the Hoosier fan base gets behind you unlike anywhere else. There is no other race track that we go to, when I hear a driver from that state does the crowd go nuts. It is different in the state of Indiana, and for me to be that guy for the fans here, it is just really, really cool.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
Personal Motivations and Emotional Connections Highlight Race Week
The chance to join fellow Indiana natives and racing icons as a Brickyard 400 champion adds to the emotional stakes for Briscoe. Returning to Mitchell and attending his sister’s wedding provided moments of reflection and inspiration. A visit to the updated IMS Museum brought him face-to-face with the car from Stewart’s 2005 triumph, prompting Briscoe to photograph it and send it to Stewart with a message, expressing hope that another Hoosier might win two decades later.
“I took a picture of it, and I sent it to him and said ‘hopefully another Hoosier can win 20 years later,’”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
A Celebration Plan Rooted in Family and Tradition
If Briscoe manages to seize victory, he already knows exactly how he’ll mark the occasion.
“You would see all the stuff, all the stops,”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
“I’d be climbing the fence and stopping where my family was sitting (in turn 1) and doing all the things.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver.
This sense of connection—both to family and to his community—underscores why a win at the Brickyard, on home soil, carries such weight for Briscoe. Were he to succeed, Indiana-born and raised drivers would account for nine of the event’s 29 victories, cementing another piece of local legend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Path Forward for Briscoe and Indiana Motorsports
Chase Briscoe’s pursuit of a Brickyard 400 victory is fueled by a blend of personal dreams, local support, and a respect for the tradition of Indiana motorsport heroes like Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman. As the crowd in Speedway, Indiana, prepares to cheer, Briscoe stands ready to chase history, representing Joe Gibbs Racing and the hopes of his home state on NASCAR’s iconic stage.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why was Chase Briscoe suspended?
A. Chase Briscoe faced a penalty due to changes made to his car’s spoiler base that were against the rules. NASCAR took away 100 regular points and 10 playoff points from Briscoe. The organization also fined Joe Gibbs Racing $100,000. James Small, Briscoe’s crew chief, received a four-race suspension. Joe Gibbs Racing is planning to challenge the penalty decision.
