Chase Briscoe, buoyed by pivotal family support, secured a memorable overtime win at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2025, locking his place in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4. As he sets his sights on the Phoenix Raceway finale, Briscoe emphasizes how his family’s backing and encouragement shape both his preparation and mindset as a contender for the sport’s top honor.
Briscoe’s Triumph at Talladega Sets the Stage
In a dramatic race that saw tension build until the final lap, Briscoe performed a stunning last-second pass on Bubba Wallace, clinching his first-ever superspeedway victory at Talladega. This achievement not only established Briscoe as a rising force in NASCAR but also underscored his ability to remain composed and execute under extreme pressure. The win catapulted him into the Championship 4, offering him an opportunity to chase his dream title at Phoenix Raceway, a feat that energizes both his supporters and the broader sports fan community.
While fans celebrate the racing heroics witnessed at events such as The Great American Getaway 400 and Talladega, Briscoe himself credits a vital force working quietly off the track—his family. Balancing the rigors of professional motorsport with family obligations challenges many drivers, and Briscoe’s journey shines a light on how important personal connections are when the stakes are highest.
Navigating Championship Pressure: The Role of Family
In recent conversations, including an appearance on the Happy Hour podcast hosted by Kevin Harvick, Briscoe revealed candid insights into how he manages the mounting pressure of championship races. When asked if the intensity of title contention ever forced him to abandon his tried-and-true race approaches, Briscoe responded,
Not really… even in Xfinity, you know, it was 2020, so it was COVID year, so it was different… people weren’t even really allowed in the garages still.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Reflecting on 2020, Briscoe recalled achieving four victories and a fourth-place finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, all during a season constrained by pandemic restrictions and limited team presence. As he shared with Harvick,
I didn’t have a lot of people there, even when I raced for that,
— Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Now, as he advances to the Cup Series showdown, Briscoe finds himself not only representing his team but also fulfilling family responsibilities. Traveling with his wife Marissa and their three young children—Brooks, Cooper, and Collins—presents its own unique set of challenges. Speaking about the upcoming Phoenix weekend, Briscoe admitted,
I gotta leave Wednesday versus leaving on a Friday or Saturday and… just even the flight going out there with three little ones is gonna be stressful in itself.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Family Dynamics: Racing Alongside Milestones
Since marrying Marissa in November 2019, Briscoe’s family life has grown in parallel with his racing achievements. Their son Brooks was born in 2021, and twins Cooper and Collins joined the family in October 2024. The recent additions, combined with Marissa’s health recovery journey, have deepened Briscoe’s appreciation for moments spent with loved ones—especially amid the stress and travel that define championship pursuits in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Grateful for the chaos and celebration accompanying such high-stakes events, Briscoe remarked,
It’ll be different, you know, truthfully, I’m glad that it’s gonna be chaos, you know, and have all those people there… that means you’re at an incredible opportunity… So I’m thankful for that.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Briscoe openly credits family and friends for energizing him, especially when major events like the Cup Series championship draw everyone together. Navigating both the expectations of his fans and the realities of fatherhood, the driver finds purpose and calm in the encouragement they provide.
Summing up his outlook on the big moments ahead, Briscoe shared,
I think I would rather have it that way.
— Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Teamwork at Joe Gibbs Racing: A New Chapter
The move to Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) following Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure in 2024 presented Briscoe with a critical opportunity: to display his skills at one of NASCAR’s most prestigious teams. The transition also allowed crew chief James Small, a seasoned strategist and engineer, to form a new alliance with Briscoe.
James Small found fresh satisfaction in helping Briscoe achieve milestones that eluded him previously, notably reaching victory lane at a superspeedway. His pride was clear as he described the momentous achievement:
To do it in the Round of 8, check our ticket to Phoenix, is just amazing. We’ve had fast cars in the past, but usually luck has evaded us. Today everything kind of came together. Kind of stepped on our pee-pees there at the end of stage one. Bounced back and won that stage, and just amazing,
— James Small, Crew Chief.
Small’s prior years working with Martin Truex Jr.—a champion in his own right—provided perspective on the unique partnership he now shares with Briscoe. Comparing his current and previous drivers, Small commented,
They couldn’t be more different if they tried. Just very, very different people. Very different demeanors.
— James Small, Crew Chief.
He observed that while both drivers enjoy fishing and hunting, their approaches to racing and life are fundamentally distinct. Briscoe’s pathway to the top involved overcoming setbacks, such as being left without a ride after Stewart-Haas shut down, only to seize the chance when Martin Truex Jr. retired, creating an opening at JGR.
Preparation for Phoenix and the Weight of Expectation
With his place in the Championship 4 secured, Briscoe has a week’s reprieve to prepare for the final at Phoenix Raceway. This additional preparation time comes after a challenging visit to Phoenix earlier in the season and could prove vital as he seeks to maximize performance in pursuit of the NASCAR Cup Series title.
The intensity of the current moment is not lost on him, nor on his crew chief or the team. Briscoe’s gratitude for his family and the network around him is balanced by a commitment to repay that support with his best effort on the track. The collective energy from everyone rooting for him—friends, his growing family, and his dedicated crew—fuels his determination to succeed in the sport’s biggest event.
Significance and Outlook for Briscoe’s Championship Bid
Entering the Phoenix showdown, Briscoe stands as both a symbol of resilience and the embodiment of what strong support structures can achieve. His family’s involvement isn’t just in the grandstand but deeply woven through the stressful and joyful moments that define a championship chase. The blend of support from loved ones, trust from his Joe Gibbs Racing team, and lessons from past hurdles position Briscoe as a compelling story in modern NASCAR.
Whatever the outcome at Phoenix Raceway, Briscoe’s integration of family life and professional ambition offers inspiration to fellow competitors and fans alike, demonstrating the importance of having a steady foundation when striving for greatness on one of sport’s grandest stages. As he prepares for the finale, the impact of Chase Briscoe’s family support—along with the expertise of teammates like James Small—will remain a defining narrative in his ongoing quest for racing glory.
