Chase Briscoe championship run has stunned observers in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing, propelling him into the prestigious Championship 4 after an astonishing performance this NASCAR season. With three wins, 15 top-five finishes, and 19 top-10s, Briscoe leads the standings just ahead of the final showdown at Phoenix Raceway, offering JGR a chance to break a title drought that has lingered since 2019.
Unexpected Ascent Ignites JGR’s Hopes
Chase Briscoe, a native of Mitchell, Indiana, has quickly risen in the ranks of the NASCAR Cup Series. Throughout 35 races, his consistency and determination transformed him from a long shot into a leading contender. Joe Gibbs, the legendary NASCAR Hall of Fame owner, acknowledged that much of this success arises from the strong partnership between Briscoe and crew chief James Small, pointing towards an unexpected synergy that took many by surprise.
“Certainly you’re seeing somebody like Chase, who came up, sacrificed all that he sacrificed with his family and him, Marissa (Briscoe’s wife), everything that they’ve gone through to get to this level,”
said Joe Gibbs.
“It’s so exciting to see them have a year like they’ve had.”
— Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
“None of us expected it,” Gibbs continued.
“I don’t think anybody did. I didn’t hear anybody in the press say that was going to happen. I think it took us all by surprise.”
— Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
Joe Gibbs Racing last celebrated a championship with Kyle Busch in 2019, and since then, the organization has been striving to reclaim its position at the top. Now, with Team Penske—the reigning champions—eliminated, the stage is set for a heated rivalry between Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing as they head to the Cup Series finale.
Phoenix Raceway Prepares for Season-Defining Event
All attention is turning to Phoenix Raceway, where the 312-lap Championship 4 will decide this year’s series champion. Scheduled for Sunday and broadcast on Peacock at 3:30 pm ET with live updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the race gathers fans and teams for a climactic conclusion. The anticipation is fueled by Briscoe’s emergence and by the prospect of ending JGR’s six-year title drought—a narrative loaded with drama and significance for the franchise and its supporters.
Mechanical Challenges Cast Shadows in the Playoffs
During last week’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Chase Briscoe and fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin experienced mechanical troubles. Briscoe’s day was cut short at Lap 296, while Hamlin managed to reach Lap 334. Despite these setbacks, both drivers had already clinched their Championship 4 spots with wins earlier in the playoff’s Round of 8, meaning Martinsville’s results did not threaten their championship hopes.
The issue revolved around faulty valve springs, as detailed by Joe Gibbs following thorough examination. He offered assurance that the team had diagnosed the problem and crafted a strategy to avoid repeating the same setback at Phoenix.
“I think it always concerns you anytime you have a motor issue. We feel like, this morning, we went through everything that happened and got all the parts out and we have a plan and strategy where we end up in a good position and it doesn’t come back to us this next week in Phoenix.”
— Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
“We have those parts, and anytime you have valve spring issues, they come in batches and we think we have that covered,”
he added. — Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
Rivalries and Legacy Add Tension to Championship Showdown
While Chase Briscoe’s championship run defines a promising new chapter for Joe Gibbs Racing, veteran driver Denny Hamlin also commands a significant following. Hamlin, the longest-tenured competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series without a championship trophy, came closest to glory in 2010 when he finished behind Jimmie Johnson. With Hendrick Motorsports also in the hunt and stars such as Briscoe and Hamlin competing, this year’s finale at Phoenix Raceway promises intensity and unpredictability for fans of the sport.
As the field prepares for Phoenix, the mix of rising talent, storied legacies, and unresolved ambitions makes this NASCAR Cup Series finale one of the most highly anticipated in recent memory, with Chase Briscoe’s improbable journey serving as a rallying point for Joe Gibbs Racing and its supporters.
