Chase Briscoe has defied expectations in his first Joe Gibbs Racing breakout season, capturing multiple Cup Series wins and securing a spot in the Championship 4 for the first time in his career. Briscoe’s remarkable performance comes after his transition from Stewart-Haas Racing, following the organization’s shutdown at the conclusion of the previous NASCAR season.
Briscoe made a strong impression early in 2025 by clinching his first victory of the season at Pocono in June, which guaranteed his entry into the playoffs. He continued his hot streak with a win at Darlington and added a dramatic triumph at the YellaWood 500 at Talladega, officially earning Joe Gibbs Racing its second berth in the Championship 4. These achievements have not only established Briscoe as a formidable competitor, but also highlighted his ability to perform under pressure.
Briscoe’s Arrival at Joe Gibbs Racing and Overcoming Doubt
Joe Gibbs Racing welcomed Briscoe with a multiyear contract announced in June 2024, signaling a new chapter for both the driver and the team. Despite his description as a promising talent, Briscoe encountered skepticism from fans and industry insiders after the news of his signing. On the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, Briscoe openly addressed perceptions from the NASCAR community, stating:
“I definitely think that whenever it got announced, there’s a lot of people scratching their head and, whether it was fans or even, probably industry people too, right? And for Coach [JGR team owner, Joe Gibbs] now to have it all kind of come to fruition, I don’t know if he thought it was going to go as good as it’s gone this year and with a championship four birth, but certainly I would think he has to feel good about it, right? It was a huge risk,” Chase Briscoe said.
The intense spotlight and expectations have not fazed Briscoe, who recognized the increased standards following his early success, sharing:
“Having this great first season and certainly the bar is going to be really high for the remaining tenure of however long I’m here. But, yeah, I would think the coach has to feel good about it,” he added.
The risk Joe Gibbs took has translated into substantial rewards, transforming Briscoe from a questioned prospect into a central figure in the team’s championship pursuit.
Playoff Milestones and Emergence with the JGR Team
Prior to joining Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe made it into the playoffs twice, in both 2022 and 2024, but he never advanced beyond the Round of 8 while with Stewart-Haas Racing. His current run with JGR marks a turning point in his Cup Series journey. Briscoe now joins his distinguished teammate, Denny Hamlin, as the second driver for the team to clinch a coveted spot in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway next month.
Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Toyota, has demonstrated consistency and skill at Phoenix. He earned his inaugural Cup Series win at the track—famous for its 1-mile oval layout—in 2022, and has secured three additional top-10 finishes there in his last six attempts. This record adds to the confidence that Joe Gibbs Racing and their fans have in his capabilities entering the final championship round of the season.
Teamwork and a Dramatics Superspeedway Victory
Briscoe’s determination was on display during last Sunday’s overtime finish at Talladega, where he made a bold last-lap move to outpace Bubba Wallace in a tight pack, ultimately winning the YellaWood 500. Notably, Ty Gibbs, one of Briscoe’s teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing, played a strategic role by providing critical drafting assistance in the closing moments while Briscoe lined up behind the leaders. Briscoe spoke about the moment and the importance of teamwork, expressing gratitude and a sense of duty to return the favor:
“It’s definitely going to come back full circle. … At some point in our careers together, there’s going to be some time where the roles are reversed, right? … And hopefully I can be there behind him [Gibbs].. and pay back what he was able to do for me this past Sunday,” Chase Briscoe said (01:03:11).
This win marked Briscoe’s first career victory at a superspeedway in the Cup Series, reinforcing his adaptability and growth as a driver under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner. The moment also stood as a testament to the significance of collaboration within the team, especially in high-stakes situations as they pursue championship glory.
The Road Ahead: Championship Aspirations and Briscoe’s Evolution
As the Joe Gibbs Racing breakout season continues, Briscoe and his teammates set their sights on Phoenix Raceway, the site of the season’s climactic Championship 4 event. Briscoe’s rise reflects strategic risk-taking by Joe Gibbs and the resilience of an athlete determined to leave critics behind. The broader impact on the organization centers not just on immediate results, but on creating a foundation for future Cup Series success, particularly with proven racecraft and a reinforced belief in calculated risks.
NASCAR fans, as well as prominent figures like Joe Gibbs, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin, will be watching closely to see if Briscoe can translate regular season breakthroughs into championship hardware, capping what has become one of the year’s most compelling stories in motorsports.
Chase Briscoe is making the most of his first year at Joe Gibbs racing.
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— Rubbin is Racing (@rubbinisracing) October 24, 2025
