Chase Elliott’s NASCAR Cup Series performance has come under close scrutiny as he finds himself just behind Joe Gibbs Racing’s new addition, Chase Briscoe, in a crucial points race nearing the end of the regular season. Briscoe outpaces Elliott by four points in the last ten races, underscoring growing competition among the sport’s top drivers as the playoffs approach.
Briscoe Takes the Lead with Steady Momentum
So far in 2025, Chase Briscoe has established himself as a formidable force in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. With 24 starts under his belt by mid-August, Briscoe currently sits eighth in the championship standings, accumulating 674 points. His season includes a race victory, seven playoff points, six pole positions, ten top-five finishes, and twelve top-ten results.
Briscoe’s success this season has been highlighted by exceptional speed, particularly in qualifying sessions. His ability to race at the front across various tracks speaks to his consistency and strong adaptability. As a result, Briscoe stands out as a legitimate contender for the playoffs, combining resilience with impressive on-track pace throughout the year.
Chase Elliott Maintains High Ranking Despite Competition
Chase Elliott, representing Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 9 Chevrolet, remains a prominent figure in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series standings. As of mid-August, Elliott has collected 770 points and is positioned second overall, trailing only William Byron. This year, Elliott has notched one win, seven top-five results, and twelve top-ten finishes, proving himself a steady force within the highly competitive Cup Series field.
With Alan Gustafson leading his crew, Elliott’s consistent performances have kept him near the front, solidifying his place ahead of experienced drivers such as Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell. Despite being edged out by Briscoe in recent points accumulation, Elliott remains a significant threat whenever he hits the track, regardless of the circuit.
Breaking a Long Winless Streak at Atlanta
On June 29, 2025, Elliott ended a prolonged 44-race drought with a thrilling victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway—his home venue in Georgia. This win marked his 20th career Cup Series triumph and came in dramatic fashion following a tense and chaotic contest, complete with repeated lead changes and accidents among top contenders.
The significance of winning at his hometown track was not lost on Elliott, who expressed gratitude for the local support and described the dramatic final moments of the race:
“Yeah, it was wild. You know, got just a couple really good situations off of four and had a really big shove there and into one. I think I got two for one there with a couple to go that got me by, I forget who, and then the 45 and that got me to third. And I’m not exactly sure what happened, but somehow or another, Alex got to third or got me to second, I’m sorry… And I couldn’t really tell how that happened. And when I saw him in my mirror, I thought, well, you know, that’s better than somebody else.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
The Atlanta race itself featured a sizeable crash early in Stage 2, which removed multiple favorites from contention, including Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron. Elliott’s victory was ultimately achieved with critical assistance from teammate Alex Bowman, whose push on the last lap enabled Elliott to surge past Brad Keselowski for the win.
Implications for the Cup Series Playoff Race
The latest points shift reflects the fierce level of competition as the regular season draws to a close. With Briscoe’s recent surge, all eyes are on which contenders will maintain their momentum into the playoffs. Elliott’s standing, both in the overall championship and in recent race statistics, keeps him among the favorites, while Briscoe’s determination signals new challenges for established leaders like William Byron and Christopher Bell.
Fans and teams alike now await the final races, where every point will further define the field for the playoffs and determine who can capture NASCAR‘s ultimate prize in the coming months.
