Chase Briscoe’s strategic pit stop nearly secured him a victory in the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, but a tough late-race battle saw him finish fourth instead. The Chase Briscoe NASCAR Vegas finish kept tensions high as he fought for every position in an intense, incident-filled race, ultimately preserving his place near the top of the playoff standings.
Briscoe’s Strong Start and Race Strategy
From the green flag, Chase Briscoe showed strong pace by taking the lead off the outside pole on the first lap. This quick jump highlighted the formidable start by the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, though it continued Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s pattern where the leader of the first lap has yet to claim victory at the end of the race.
Throughout the opening two stages, Briscoe maintained a competitive edge, earning third and fifth-place finishes that resulted in 14 crucial stage points. These early gains proved significant for his playoff campaign.
Crucial Moments and the Two-Tire Gamble
As the race unfolded, Briscoe ran consistently near the front, yet an encounter with the outside wall during the final stage caused his No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE to slip from the top five. Despite this setback, the team seized a late opportunity with a crucial pit stop. Crew chief James Small opted for a two right-side Goodyear Racing tire change to maximize track position, a risky move that propelled Briscoe out of the pits in first place on lap 241.
Just moments later, a significant multi-car wreck on lap 245—the biggest in the track’s history—shook up the field. Briscoe benefitted from this chaos, holding off strong competitors like Joey Logano, the defending race winner and Cup Series champion, during a tense restart with 14 laps remaining.
“I don’t know if it gave us damage but the car definitely was never the same as what it was,”
Briscoe admitted.
“We were just kind of stuck right there around fifth all day long so honestly I wish we would have won right but for us to finish fourth that was probably a spot or two better than what we were going to finish. I guess it could have been a lot worse.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver
Late-Race Battle and Intense Emotions
Despite emerging with the lead, Briscoe faced immediate pressure from Denny Hamlin, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, as well as other drivers who had taken four fresh tires. Over the next 11 laps, Briscoe fiercely defended his position, using every advantage in the first two turns. However, his two-tire strategy left him vulnerable, especially through turns three and four where he steadily lost time.
With just four laps to go, Hamlin overtook him, claiming the lead and eventually the win. In the final moments, Briscoe’s grip on clean air faded, causing him to drop to fourth by the checkered flag.
“I just air blocked as much as I could,”
Briscoe explained.
“My car was good enough in (turns) one and two, I could hold my own, just in three and four I was bleeding like a half second every single lap and then it would just flip. I was just so vulnerable down the front straightaway so yeah definitely tough, but could have been a lot worse, leaving 15 (points) up today.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver
Implications for the Playoffs and What Comes Next
Briscoe’s calculated performance, despite a day full of challenges, paid off in the playoff picture. His collection of 14 stage points, plus one from the Xfinity Fastest Lap bonus, positioned him fourth on the playoff grid with a 15-point advantage heading into the next race.
Now, with the South Point 400 behind him, Briscoe prepares for the unpredictable YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Historically, Briscoe has performed well on drafting tracks such as Daytona International Speedway and Talladega, accumulating three top-five and five top-10 finishes between the two venues. The upcoming event represents a critical opportunity for Briscoe to secure his place in the postseason as he goes up against top names like Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron.
The NASCAR Cup Series action at Talladega is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, with coverage available on NBC, Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Fans will be closely watching to see if Chase Briscoe’s NASCAR Vegas finish momentum can carry him deeper into the playoffs amid mounting pressure and fierce competition.
