Chase Briscoe, aiming for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship, saw his title hopes take a hit during the recent Cup Series playoff round at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Despite his determination, a late lead change allowed Denny Hamlin, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, to secure the win, leaving Briscoe just outside the Championship 4 for now—a pivotal moment in the Chase Briscoe NASCAR Cup Series story.
Setbacks During the Las Vegas Speedway Playoff Race
Early in the race, Chase Briscoe lost his leading position following a pit stop issue involving his left-rear tire. As the laps wound down, Hamlin took advantage of having four new tires, positioning himself to outpace contenders Kyle Larson and Briscoe. Briscoe, originally from Mitchell, Indiana, fought to regain ground, as he had to rely on a late-race two-tire gamble to compete for the win.
Now 15 points ahead of the playoff cutoff line, Briscoe reflected on the high-stakes moment during a post-race interview. He shared his thoughts about the late-race tire strategy and its outcome, saying,
“At the end, I was just hanging on. As I ran, I kept getting free. James (Small, crew chief) made the right call there. I just hate that it didn’t work out.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
In the final results, Briscoe finished fourth—his 15th top-five placement this season—placing him just behind Christopher Bell, another Joe Gibbs Racing teammate. The top five also included Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick, demonstrating the strength within the field at Las Vegas.
Looking Ahead to Talladega After Las Vegas Disappointment
Though Briscoe missed clinching a place in the final four at Las Vegas, another chance awaits at the upcoming YellaWood 500. This event will be held at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, October 19, featuring 188 laps and live coverage on Peacock and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. For Briscoe, this next race offers a critical opportunity to continue his pursuit of a Championship 4 berth.
Team Triumph: Denny Hamlin’s Win Softens Briscoe’s Loss
While Chase Briscoe would have preferred to secure his own ticket to the Championship 4, he found consolation in seeing his teammate cross the finish line first. Denny Hamlin’s victory was not just crucial for the team—it was the 60th NASCAR Cup Series win of his career, moving him into a tie with Kevin Harvick for 10th place on the all-time Cup Series win list. Reports state Hamlin is now the 11th driver in Cup Series history to reach the 60-win milestone.
“Glad at least a JGR car won,”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
As the season reaches its 33rd race, Briscoe’s stats reveal his notable progress and determination—seven poles, two wins, 15 top-fives, and 18 top-10 finishes. He’s led a total of 865 laps this season, with impressive average start and finish positions. His landmark first Cup Series victory came in 2022 when he raced for Stewart-Haas Racing, making him only the 200th driver ever to win at this level.
Pushing Forward in the Chase Briscoe NASCAR Cup Series Journey
With the Las Vegas heartbreak fresh, Chase Briscoe is set to focus on Talladega as he keeps his championship aspirations alive. The support from his Joe Gibbs Racing team and his own resilient performances position him as a strong challenger in the NASCAR Cup Series chase, while competitors like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Tyler Reddick remain formidable rivals. With high stakes and only a few races left, Briscoe’s season will hinge on his ability to convert lessons from Las Vegas into a decisive result at Talladega and beyond.
"At the end, I was just hanging on. As I ran, I kept getting free. James made the right call there. I just hate that it didn't work out," says Chase Briscoe to @HeatherDeBeaux
— PRN (@PRNlive) October 13, 2025
