Chase Briscoe’s recent NASCAR Richmond performance with Joe Gibbs Racing has marked a turning point in his Cup Series career, but Richmond Raceway stands as the next obstacle in his path. After dominating recent months with the #19 Camry, Briscoe is looking to capture his first top-10 finish at one of his most challenging venues on Sunday.
Briscoe’s Success at Joe Gibbs Racing Energizes the Season
Since joining Joe Gibbs Racing and stepping into Martin Truex Jr.’s former #19 car, Briscoe has flourished. The switch provided him with advanced equipment, deeper data, and sharper team management. Briscoe’s victory at Pocono Raceway and a solid eighth place in the playoff standings have erased doubts—his own included—about his ability to perform at the sport’s highest level. The partnership has allowed Briscoe to maximize his strengths and push beyond prior limitations seen during his time at Stewart-Haas Racing.
Dominance Evident with Top Qualifying and Race Results
Briscoe’s performance surge began in May at Kansas Speedway, and he currently boasts the best average Driver Rating (98.1) among full-time drivers. Over the past three months, no competitor has outperformed Briscoe in the Cup Series. He has grabbed a series-leading five pole positions, including three consecutive at Charlotte, Nashville, and Michigan, then followed up with first-place qualifying runs at Indianapolis and Iowa. Briscoe’s average starting spot of 10.0 puts him ahead of every other racer this season, a feat reminiscent of Jeff Gordon’s 2006 campaign, though Gordon was the last fastest qualifier to average double digits at the start grid.
Richmond Raceway: Briscoe’s Lingering Challenge
Despite all momentum, Richmond Raceway presents a familiar hurdle for Briscoe. The #19 car’s previous driver, Martin Truex Jr., collected three wins in 37 starts at the track and set an average finish of 15.6 last year. Briscoe’s record at Richmond lags behind with an average finish of 16.8 over eight attempts, no top-10 finishes, and a best placing of 11th in 2023 after starting 20th. The statistics highlight the gap he hopes to close this weekend.
A Shift in Outlook and Preparation for Richmond
Briscoe recognizes the difficulties Richmond presents but remains positive about his fresh start with Joe Gibbs Racing. He addressed his past struggles and future outlook candidly in the lead-up to Sunday’s race, stating,
“I’ve never ran in the top 10 here. It’s been one of my worst tracks. But so is Sonoma, and that was one of the 19’s best tracks, too. So, I don’t know. I feel like it’s been hard for me to even really read into statistics of the past for me, just because it’s so different now, just the potential and the capability of the car.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
He further explained his growth in tackling difficult tracks, noting,
“This place is definitely been a struggle for me. It’s just been a place I’ve always kind of felt like a fish out of water to a certain extent, but over the course of the last two years, especially, I feel like I made big gains.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
This week, Briscoe dedicated extra time to preparation, logging 400 simulator laps on Wednesday. He concentrated on fine-tuning his driving style and studying the fastest racing lines in order to improve his performance at Richmond. For the upcoming race, Briscoe’s target is simply to execute well and capitalize on his progress.
What This Weekend Means for Briscoe’s Season
A breakthrough at Richmond would not only mark a personal milestone for Chase Briscoe but could cement his reputation as NASCAR’s hottest current driver. With the support of Joe Gibbs Racing and the lessons drawn from competitors like Martin Truex Jr. and Jeff Gordon, Briscoe has redefined his racing limits this season. Should he finally conquer Richmond, it would validate his turnaround and send a strong message ahead of the playoff push.
