Chase Briscoe’s playoff hopes are alive and surging as the NASCAR Cup Series shifts to Las Vegas for the Round of 8. On Sunday at the South Point 400, Briscoe, the only Joe Gibbs Racing driver without a prior Championship 4 appearance, takes his shot at a pivotal win while veteran competitors push for their own titles.
Briscoe, who has collected two wins in his debut season with Joe Gibbs Racing, remains the outlier among playoff drivers, as the other seven have all reached the elite final round numerous times before. Despite this, Briscoe has maintained strong, steady results as the 2023 season winds down, making him a serious factor among championship contenders.
Briscoe’s Consistency Shines Amid Playoff Pressure
Throughout the year, Briscoe has focused on consistency and resilience, allowing him to make the deep playoff run with notable poise. Turning 30 this season, he now faces the strongest competition yet, but says that racing for Joe Gibbs Racing has created a unique chance to excel at this stage. While fans may remember his 2022 Round of 8 run with Stewart-Haas Racing that fell short of the final four, Briscoe regards this season as his best opportunity yet to contend in NASCAR’s finale at Phoenix Raceway, one of his personal best tracks.
Briscoe is clear-eyed about the challenge, recognizing that the level of competition is at its peak.
“I feel like it’s probably the strongest Round of 8 we’ve ever had. When you look at the teams and drivers, it’s not going to be easy,”
Chase Briscoe, Driver
He further explained how the playoff pressure doesn’t ease with each round and pointed out the challenges of the Round of 8.
“This time of the year, you have to go and perform. I don’t think anything really changes from the rest of the playoffs, but you can’t really afford mistakes now like you could in the first round(s). It’ll be a stiff competition that’s for sure.”
Chase Briscoe, Driver
Elite Teams Dominate, No Clear Favorites Emerge
As the field narrows, three powerhouse organizations—Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, and Hendrick Motorsports—are the only teams left, each with a proven championship track record. These companies have combined to capture nine of the last ten NASCAR Cup Series championships, highlighting the high caliber of all remaining competitors.
Despite such strong lineups, Briscoe notes that no single playoff driver appears to have an obvious edge, saying the contest is shaping up to be exceptionally close.
“This is the first year I’ve ever been in one of those cars. I feel confident that we can make the Championship 4,”
Chase Briscoe, Driver
The significance of racing as part of such a celebrated field is not lost on him, as he added:
“It’s definitely different now to be considered one of them, and hopefully we can prove that we belong there too.”
Chase Briscoe, Driver
Maintaining Focus Amid Playoff Chaos
Joe Gibbs Racing has remained a focal point within the paddock, as Briscoe’s teammates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell chase their own playoff fortunes. Hamlin, fresh from an emotional Round of 12, and Bell, driven by last year’s setbacks, exemplify the mounting stakes as the championship nears. Briscoe, however, has distanced himself from off-track drama, instead reinforcing belief in his crew and in their ability to compete against NASCAR’s best, including his own teammates.
The unpredictable nature of the Round of 8 brings additional uncertainty, with tracks such as Las Vegas, Talladega Superspeedway, and Martinsville Speedway poised to create surprises. Each presents unique challenges that could alter the path to Phoenix Raceway.
“The 19 team has been in a good spot. Truthfully, whether it’s morale or confidence-wise, we’ve been out (of the controversies). I feel really good where we’re at as a team,”
Chase Briscoe, Driver
Briscoe stressed the need for every detail to align, knowing the next few weeks hold significant unknowns.
“I don’t know, I feel like we’re as good as anybody in the sport right now from a speed standpoint. Even we’ve been doing a decent job at executing, so we got to put it together for four more weeks.”
Chase Briscoe, Driver
Strong Start in Las Vegas Raises Expectations
Optimism fills Briscoe’s camp as he starts the South Point 400 from the second position, lining up beside teammate Denny Hamlin. The event, spanning 267 laps at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, promises intense competition as playoff drivers battle for scarce spots in the Championship 4.
Fans can tune in to USA for television coverage at 5:30 p.m. ET, while Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will broadcast the race live.
With Chase Briscoe’s playoff hopes riding high, his performance in Las Vegas may be the turning point in his quest to join NASCAR’s elite at Phoenix Raceway in the coming weeks.
