Chase Briscoe qualifying success has taken center stage this season, as the Mitchell, Indiana native has become one of the most prolific pole earners in NASCAR Cup Series, prompting comparisons to fellow Indiana driver and former Cup competitor, Ryan Newman. Briscoe’s rapid ascent with Joe Gibbs Racing, following his move from Stewart-Haas Racing, has turned heads, especially since he now leads all Cup drivers in poles this year.
Transformation After Team Switch Brings Career-Best Performance
Before joining Joe Gibbs Racing to fill the seat vacated by the retiring Martin Truex Jr., Briscoe managed just two poles over his tenure with Stewart-Haas Racing from 2021 to 2024. This year, after switching teams, his fortunes changed dramatically. Briscoe has secured seven pole positions in just 32 of the season’s 36 races, a feat unmatched by any other driver in the 2024 season so far.
Legendary Comparisons Among Indiana’s Racing Elite
The state of Indiana has produced multiple NASCAR stars, and Briscoe’s surge has naturally drawn comparisons to some of the best in qualifying history. Ryan Newman, who grew up in South Bend, Indiana, earned the nickname “Rocket Man” for claiming 51 Cup Series poles from 2000 through 2023. Jeff Gordon, hailing from Pittsboro, Indiana, accumulated 81 Cup poles in his career, while Tony Stewart of Columbus, Indiana notched 15 poles before retiring. Atop the record books remains Richard Petty, a true legend, with an untouchable 126 pole positions amassed between 1958 and 1992.
Briscoe Embraces the Recognition and Mentions Newman
Briscoe has acknowledged the pride he feels in being linked to such celebrated names, especially Newman. His memories of watching Newman dominate qualifying as a young fan further fuel this sense of achievement.
“Yeah, it’s been cool, I remember as a kid, obviously watching Newman qualify up front all the time, and a fellow Hooser, too, which is neat.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver
He also relishes the fun fans are having with the comparisons:
“After we’ve qualified on the pole, I see a lot of fans like posting ‘Rocket Man’ (online) or they’re posted the picture of Newman doing the pole award and they’re like PhotoShop-ing my face on it, which is pretty funny…It’s great to be compared to (Newman) in qualifying, for sure.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver
A Promising Future for Briscoe and Indiana’s NASCAR Connection
Although Briscoe still has significant ground to cover before matching the pole totals of Newman, Gordon, or Petty, his surge in speed and confidence speaks to his transformation and growing reputation among drivers. His emergence not only highlights his personal accomplishments, but also Indiana’s deep legacy in motorsports. The combination of heritage and present success creates a narrative that continues to enrich the sport.
Briscoe summed up the feeling:
“Anytime you’re getting talked about, especially for doing something or winning something, it’s neat.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver
With only a few races left in the season, the focus remains on how far Briscoe can extend his current streak, and whether the “Rocket Man” comparisons can push him closer to the records of NASCAR’s qualifying greats.
