Chase Briscoe, the defending winner at Darlington Raceway, has made a remarkable return to the NASCAR Cup Playoffs and is positioned to pursue his championship hopes with the respected Joe Gibbs Racing team. With the first Playoff race now hosted at Darlington, Briscoe enters the postseason more confident than ever, fueled by his new role as driver of the No. 19 Toyota and aiming to capitalize on a season filled with opportunity.
Briscoe’s Journey From ‘Cinderella’ Story to Prime Contender
Last year, Briscoe captured national attention when he clinched a dramatic win in the Southern 500, the final race of the regular season, securing his spot in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Playoffs under the shadow of a closing Stewart-Haas Racing team. This season, Darlington Raceway’s shift to the Playoff opener offers Briscoe a symbolic second chance, now as Darlington’s reigning champion and with one of NASCAR’s top organizations in his corner.
Joe Gibbs Racing has maintained a reputation for excellence since earning its first Cup Series championship in 2000 with Bobby Labonte. For most seasons under NASCAR’s Playoff format, at least one JGR driver has reached the Championship 4, underscoring the team‘s competitive pedigree. Briscoe’s alignment with such a powerhouse marks a dramatic transformation from his previous underdog status.
Shifting Gears: From Stewart-Haas Racing to New Ambitions at JGR
Briscoe’s previous chapter at Stewart-Haas Racing was defined by both adversity and accomplishment. A longtime Tony Stewart fan from Mitchell, Indiana, Briscoe saw his childhood dream realized when SHR selected him to drive for the team in 2021. That dream, however, was upended when SHR announced its closure in May of the previous season, pushing Briscoe and his teammates into a challenging transition.
As Race 26 at Darlington approached, Briscoe and his No. 14 team found themselves in a do-or-die situation. Sitting 18th in the standings, a win was their only path into the Playoffs. The emotional state at the SHR shop reflected this uncertainty, with morale reaching a low point in the days leading up to the race as employees faced an uncertain future.
Definitely feels different than the prior Playoff runs, because of the situation, right?
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Briscoe’s dramatic victory at Darlington not only invigorated the team but briefly restored its sense of purpose. The effect on the organization’s 320 employees was profound, as they united around the No. 14 car for one final championship push before closure became a reality.
When we returned on Monday after winning, the place was like it was during the heyday,
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Despite his best efforts throughout the Playoff rounds, Briscoe’s campaign ended in the Round of 12. However, the promise of joining Joe Gibbs Racing provided fresh incentive, keeping his motivation high through the closing races with SHR.
Key Relationships: Christopher Bell’s Role in Briscoe’s Career
A defining dynamic in Briscoe’s career has been his relationship with fellow driver Christopher Bell, who has repeatedly supported Briscoe’s advancement in the sport. In 2016, Bell encouraged Briscoe to pursue new opportunities, helping him secure a ride in Ford’s driver development program and eventually a full-time Truck Series seat with Brad Keselowski Racing. This set the stage for Briscoe’s Xfinity and, subsequently, Cup Series breakthroughs.
After SHR’s closure, Bell was once again instrumental, advocating for Briscoe to join Joe Gibbs Racing. Their partnership, rooted in friendship and years of shared competition, has now brought them together as both teammates and genuine Playoff contenders.
I guess he’s my agent and needs a commission or something,
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Yeah, in Xfinity I showed promise. but no one outside of that knew what I had at the Cup level. He’s the one that told me to call JGR in the first place, and I’m glad he did.
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
The Cultural Shift With Joe Gibbs Racing
Now part of a championship-proven organization, Briscoe senses a significant change in both resources and expectations. The difference in atmosphere, support, and the opportunity for success is tangible compared to the uphill battles of his prior Playoff attempts.
Where now, I feel like if we can just execute, we have a really good chance to potentially win the championship. So, yeah, it definitely feels different this time around and, yeah, hopefully we can put it all together.
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Briscoe acknowledges that competition within Joe Gibbs Racing is fierce, with teammates routinely challenging each other for wins. The experience of battling with fellow JGR drivers like Christopher Bell, including the possibility of meeting in the Championship 4, sharpens the team’s resolve without diminishing its sense of camaraderie.
Honestly, just the culture at JGR, you’re kind of racing your teammates to win every single week,
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
I don’t think it really changes anything.
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Reflections on the Road and What Lies Ahead
Chase Briscoe’s journey exemplifies persistence and the unpredictability of motorsports careers. From aspiring racer in Indiana to Playoff outsider and now to a top contender at one of NASCAR’s most respected teams, his story intersects with teammates, mentors, and a range of emotional highs and lows. The partnership with Christopher Bell, supported by Joe Gibbs Racing’s infrastructure, provides Briscoe with an unprecedented opportunity this Playoff season.
As the opening Playoff races unfold, Briscoe’s championship hopes garner attention from fans and competitors alike. The influence of high-profile figures such as Joe Gibbs, the legacy of Tony Stewart, and the collective history of organizations like Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford, and Brad Keselowski Racing remain integral parts of his narrative.
Briscoe’s performances at tracks like Darlington, combined with the support of his team and the momentum of previous Playoff experiences, set the stage for a compelling campaign. Whether this journey ends with a Cup championship or serves as the foundation for future successes, Briscoe’s story underscores the resilience and excitement that define the NASCAR Cup Playoffs.
