Chase Briscoe offered revealing Chase Briscoe NASCAR insights into Toyota‘s playoff struggles at Kansas Speedway, sharing perspectives on the intense competition before the Cup Series Round of 8 launches in Las Vegas. As tensions mount among top teams and manufacturers, Briscoe stressed the difficult choices drivers face between individual ambitions and supporting their teammates and brands.
Late-Race Drama and Team Dynamics at Kansas
The closing laps of Kansas Speedway’s crucial playoff event saw surprise developments, with Chase Elliott seizing victory in a heated overtime finish. Throughout the final stage, Toyota secured five spots in the top ten, yet none of its drivers claimed the win. The chaotic two-lap sprint at the end provided a window for Elliott’s last-moment pass, leaving Toyota and its drivers frustrated.
During a media session in Las Vegas just ahead of the next race, Briscoe explained that Toyota’s situation could have affected any manufacturer, highlighting the often-uncontrollable factors during late-race restarts. He underscored the reality that all teams, including Chevy and Ford, operate similarly when so much is on the line.
“If it was rolled reverse, I don’t think Chevy or Ford would have done anything different, either. It’s just nature of the beast of how these restarts go and the circumstances, and just everything lined up kind of perfectly for the 9 [Elliott] there to kind of steal one from all of us. …. We didn’t really talk about it, truthfully. It was a bummer, for sure, but I don’t really know what else we could have done different,”
Chase Briscoe said (2:59 onwards) – Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Technical Issues Compound Toyota’s Playoff Woes
In addition to intense on-track competition, technical setbacks hurt Toyota’s hopes. Denny Hamlin lost power steering in the closing laps, while a sluggish pit stop further compromised his position. As Hamlin engaged Bubba Wallace in tight racing during the final moments, Chase Elliott capitalized, slipping past to secure the win. Such chain reactions underline how quickly fortunes can change in the playoff pressure cooker.
“At the end of the day, you’re always looking out for yourself, right? But you try to do things to help your teammates and, help your manufacturer. It’s just hard. If it’s a green white checkered, like, there’s nothing you can really do,”
he added – Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Anticipation Builds for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas
Looking ahead, the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 12. Briscoe will be starting on the front row in second position, right beside Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, reflecting continued strength for Toyota and Ford as the championship battle intensifies. This key lineup puts Briscoe in a favorable spot to influence the race early and react to the unpredictable nature of playoff races.
Briscoe Aims for Championship Milestone
Briscoe enters the Round of 8 holding onto the second-last spot, having edged ahead of Joey Logano to secure his advance. Despite only one top-ten result in nine previous Las Vegas starts, Briscoe has produced steady performances at Talladega and Martinsville, two other pivotal tracks for this segment of playoffs. His focus remains on consistency and capitalizing on every opportunity.
“I feel confident that we can make the Championship. It’s definitely an elite company,”
Chase Briscoe said, via Toby Christie’s official website – Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Turning to the broader competition, Briscoe is notably the sole playoff contender yet to reach the Championship 4. Overcoming this challenge will require outperforming seasoned rivals like Joey Logano, who boasts two recent wins at Las Vegas and an unmatched record at Talladega and Martinsville in recent years. With three Talladega wins and top-tens at Martinsville over five years, Logano represents the benchmark for the level Briscoe must reach to secure a title shot.
A Pivotal Moment in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Chase
The current phase of the NASCAR Cup Series is marked by heightened emotions, unpredictable restarts, and manufacturer battles, as Chase Briscoe’s NASCAR insights highlight the thin margins and high stakes that separate glory from disappointment. With teams like Toyota recovering from setbacks and drivers like Briscoe pushing for their breakthrough, the Las Vegas showdown promises compelling storylines and dramatic shifts with each lap. As the field heads into the South Point 400, all eyes are on Briscoe and his quest to join an elite circle of title contenders at season’s end.
Can @chasebriscoe make the final 4?
From Vegas, @NRee4215 catches up with Chase! pic.twitter.com/MWGXdaCtRv
— The Kenny Wallace Show (@KWallaceShow) October 12, 2025
