Despite being seen as one of the front-runners in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, Chase Briscoe acknowledges the risk of missing the next playoff round as he heads to the Charlotte Roval this weekend. The Chase Briscoe NASCAR playoffs journey will come down to how he stacks up against fellow drivers Joey Logano and Ross Chastain, both of whom are directly beneath him in the current standings and determined to advance.
Briscoe Eyes Key Rivals with Playoff Hopes on the Line
Chase Briscoe, piloting the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, currently sits seventh among playoff contenders and holds a 21-point advantage over the elimination line. Joey Logano is narrowly ahead in the standings with a 13-point margin above the cut, while Ross Chastain faces a steeper climb as he is 13 points behind. Chastain, however, may benefit from his teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who has a strong record in non-oval events this year with four victories out of five, suggesting strength on the Charlotte road course.
Briscoe, his team, and analysts agree that their main objective is to stay ahead of Logano and Chastain throughout every stage of the race. This strategy relies heavily on efficient pit stop choices and in-race decision-making. Briscoe attributes much of his current points cushion to being the only playoff competitor who has finished inside the top 10 in every postseason race thus far, giving him a slight sense of reassurance.
In a recent interview reported by Jayski’s, the Indiana driver emphasized:
“I think this weekend, we’re obviously really just racing the 22 (Logano) and the 1 (Chastain) […] If we can just go and outrun them in both stages and the race, then we’ll move on no matter what.”
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
“But it’s obviously not that easy either. It’s tough knowing that we’ve been as good as we have, and there’s the potential to be knocked out,” he added.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
This season marks Briscoe’s debut campaign with Joe Gibbs Racing. Even so, he has proved his competitiveness quickly, already overtaking teammate Ty Gibbs in points with two race wins and consistently finishing alongside established veterans like Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell. With 13 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes, his performance has fueled hopes among fans and analysts that he could contend for the title. However, the impending Charlotte Roval will be decisive in determining if Briscoe, who previously raced for Stewart-Haas Racing before its closure in 2024, advances further. The Bank of America Roval 400 begins this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Stepping Up Under Pressure in a New Team Environment
Joining Joe Gibbs Racing has presented Chase Briscoe with high expectations, as he fills the seat vacated by 2017 champion Martin Truex Jr. The partnership with crew chief James Small has been under scrutiny, making their on-track success especially meaningful for both.
Briscoe spoke candidly about the early skepticism directed at him and Small, saying via ESPN:
“We both had, I felt like, a lot of people doubting us… ‘Why are they in that role?’ James got a lot of flak for how he and [Truex] would go back and forth [on the radio], and now, knowing James, I’ve never met someone more competitive and more determined to win and willing to do what it takes to win.”
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
“It’s been good because we both kind of have that chip on our shoulder; we want to prove we belong.”
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
Taking over for Martin Truex Jr. brought an added sense of pressure for both Briscoe and Small to keep the #19 Toyota performing. Briscoe’s steady performance, after four years at Stewart-Haas Racing, has forced many early critics to reconsider their reservations, especially now that he delivers consistent results in a field packed with talent and competition.
What’s at Stake at the Charlotte Roval
The playoff race at the Charlotte Roval typifies the intense, unpredictable nature of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason. The course often pushes drivers and crews to their strategic limits and leaves little room for mistakes. For Briscoe, the pressure is doubly intense: not only must he outperform Logano and Chastain, but he must also adapt to a high-stakes atmosphere where a single misstep could end his championship bid.
This year’s Bank of America Roval 400 carries extra importance for Joe Gibbs Racing. With Stewart-Haas Racing’s recent exit from NASCAR, Briscoe stands out as one of the rising talents ready to carry the torch for a new generation of competitors. His journey underscores a broader transition for the sport, where driver moves, team strategy, and playoff advancement intermingle to reshape NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
Chase Briscoe’s performance on Sunday will not only decide his continuation in the Chase Briscoe NASCAR playoffs but also demonstrate whether he and his team can meet the lofty expectations set for favorites in a hard-fought championship season. As the green flag approaches, all eyes remain fixed on Briscoe, Logano, and Chastain—and on the strategic moves that will shape the playoff picture moving forward.
