Chase Briscoe approaches the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington with higher ambitions than ever, intent on delivering standout results as Chase Briscoe Darlington playoff expectations reach new heights. This shift comes as Briscoe starts the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing and aiming for championship contention in South Carolina.
Briscoe’s Rising Confidence Ahead of Darlington
Briscoe’s track record at the “Lady in Black” has generated buzz, but he says the main difference this year is a newfound belief in his team’s ability to win it all. Previously, Darlington marked only the end of the regular season for Briscoe. Last year, he needed a victory just to make the playoff cut, and after a strong performance, he managed to secure a postseason spot with a win.
Then driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, Briscoe described a sense of limited expectations, noting that hopes of winning each weekend were modest, given the team’s competitive position. The circumstances shifted dramatically after Briscoe joined the powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing stable in the formidable No. 19 Toyota, an organization known for its pursuit of championships and heightened performance standards.
Reflecting on Last Season’s Turning Point
Briscoe contrasted the mindset of last season with the present, particularly how the team’s ambitions have grown.
“Last year, nobody expected us (to win), and truthfully, as a race team, we weren’t coming into Darlington and being like ‘This is our weekend,’”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Describing the previous team’s stance, Briscoe shared that consistent championship-level confidence was absent at Stewart-Haas Racing. There was a realistic acknowledgment among the group that most weekends were uphill battles, and triumphs were improbable.
“We knew that we would be good, because we had been solid at Darlington, but I don’t think we thought we would have race-winning speed, I would say. So, this (the playoff race) feels more pressure-packed than a win-or-go-home situation, because we all kind of made up our minds that we were probably going home anyways, and it just so happened that we won that race, and we were in.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
What a Playoff Push Means in 2024
The stakes for Briscoe could not be higher as he enters the Darlington race at the helm of a Joe Gibbs Racing entry. Unlike last year, when making it to the playoffs felt almost out of reach, Briscoe’s inclusion is now seen as the baseline, with fans and his own organization expecting deep postseason runs. The partnership with established organizations such as NBC Sports, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the strong reputation of Joe Gibbs Racing elevates expectations further for Briscoe this playoff season.
With new backing and increased confidence, Briscoe faces pressure, but also an opportunity to seize his biggest moment yet in the NASCAR Cup Series. The Darlington race promises to showcase how far both Briscoe and his new team have come—and could mark the beginnings of a remarkable playoff journey.
