Chase Briscoe Phoenix practice presented significant challenges for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver on Friday at Phoenix Raceway, but Briscoe remained optimistic despite setbacks ahead of Sunday’s championship race. Briscoe, who competes for Joe Gibbs Racing, experienced mechanical issues but maintained hope that his team can respond before the title is decided.
The practice session was unexpectedly difficult for Briscoe, as a flat tire forced him to cut his track time short, resulting in the fewest completed laps among participants. Additionally, he reported a troubling vibration near the end of the session. Interestingly, he was not the only driver facing tire issues; Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, AJ Allmendinger, Daniel Suarez, and Riley Herbst all encountered flats that disrupted their runs.
While Joe Gibbs Racing was concerned by these ongoing mechanical troubles, Briscoe found reassurance in the fact that other teams were similarly affected. Reflecting on his experience, Briscoe said:
“Yeah, I guess it’s a good thing that it’s not just us, right? It’s unfortunate it’s happening, but at least we’re not on an island by ourselves. Yeah, so I’m sure that James (Small, crew chief) and everybody on our Bass Pro Shops Tracker Toyota will figure out what we can do to help manage that on Sunday. Definitely alarming. This wasn’t a great practice for us just because we didn’t really get to run a lot because of the issues. We’ll get to work on it and see what we can do.”
— Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Among the championship contenders, Denny Hamlin outpaced his rivals by finishing fifth overall in practice with a speed of 131.262 mph, showing solid preparedness for the race. William Byron followed with a lap at 131.099 mph, while his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson managed a time of 130.961 mph. Ty Gibbs, piloting for Toyota, posted the session’s fastest lap, signifying strong form within the Toyota camp despite the day’s disruptions.
Briscoe on the Tight Competition Among Title Contenders
Chase Briscoe recently assessed the competitive landscape among this season’s championship contenders, acknowledging that each qualified team is closely matched in terms of performance. Briscoe pointed out that subtle factors will make the decisive difference once the green flag drops.
In a conversation with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Briscoe explained his outlook:
“On the racetrack, its gonna be hard for us to pass each other just because we probably really will be really, really close in speed but it’s all gonna be won or lost on pit road or on a restart or whatever. So, it’s just the little variables”
— Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Looking back to the spring race at Phoenix, Briscoe did not have a memorable showing. He was involved in a multi-car accident that left him with a 35th-place finish, while Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson secured podium positions. Briscoe also struggled in qualifying, starting from 30th position. His record at similar tracks, such as New Hampshire Motor Speedway, saw him end up in tenth after starting further back — a result that echoes the challenges he has faced at Phoenix.
Nonetheless, momentum has shifted for Briscoe and the No. 19 team as the season has progressed. Two of Briscoe’s three victories this season have come during the playoffs, demonstrating resilience and improvement when it has mattered most. If the team can maintain this upward trajectory, Briscoe could remain in contention for a thrilling finish in the championship battle.
The competitive environment at Phoenix Raceway, highlighted by the close margins among drivers, ensures the outcome of the title will hinge on diligent teamwork, pit lane execution, and timing—underscoring just how crucial every small detail will be in the biggest race of the year.
