Chase Briscoe NASCAR 2026 championship hopes gained focus after a challenging and emotional performance during the Phoenix Cup Series finale, where Briscoe endured multiple tire mishaps but still managed to secure his career-best finish in the final standings. Competing against top drivers on Sunday, Briscoe battled through repeated setbacks and showcased his determination to close out the 2025 season with Joe Gibbs Racing and set his sights on a pivotal 2026 campaign.
Early Troubles Set the Tone for Briscoe’s Weekend
During practice on Friday in Phoenix, Chase Briscoe encountered immediate difficulties when a flat tire within the first fifteen minutes hinted at the rocky journey ahead. Despite this early setback, Briscoe continued to press on as the Cup Series finale unfolded. By Lap 104, while running in fifth place, another flat tire struck just as Shane van Gisbergen spun off Turn 4, prompting a caution. Briscoe managed to maintain his position on the lead lap, refusing to let repeated adversity end his day prematurely.
Tire Woes Continue Despite Strong Recovery Efforts
Not willing to back down, Briscoe charged through the field, climbing back into the top ten by Lap 160. His persistence paid off when he returned to the top five, only for misfortune to hit again. Just two laps after Kyle Larson suffered a tire failure, Briscoe’s own right-side tire gave out on Lap 215. Both he and Larson fell one lap behind, but Briscoe caught a break when Carson Hocevar’s collision with the wall brought out another caution, granting him a free pass back to the lead lap.
Briscoe’s resilience remained on display as he pushed back into the top ten by Lap 257. A later incident involving JJ Yeley resulted in a caution with 34 laps to go. At this point, Denny Hamlin—Briscoe’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, who had led most of the race—swept to the inside at the restart, while Briscoe’s momentum started to fade.
Final Moments and Strategy Shift Undercut Title Bid
With only three laps left in regulation, William Byron triggered a final caution after a tire failure. Briscoe’s team, having only scuffed qualifying tires available for the overtime restart, made a strategic choice to change all four, mirroring Hamlin’s approach. Unfortunately, this decision did not yield the desired outcome, and Briscoe slipped back on the final dash, ending up 18th in the race but securing third overall in the championship—finishing ahead of William Byron.
Reflecting on the day, Briscoe shared his thoughts, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of racing and his commitment to perseverance.
“We never gave up. That’s been the story of my whole career: never giving up. You never know what can change at any point. Felt like we were good enough. We came from the front to the back two or three different times. Had a really good Toyota. Wish we could have been on an even playing field at some point. Was about to pass William, blew another tire. Just part of it. Obviously thankful for the opportunity… This wasn’t our day.”
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
Looking Ahead: Briscoe Sets Ambitious Goals for 2026
Despite the emotional end to his season, Briscoe’s skills shined under pressure, and he is already focused on the future with hopes pinned on the 2026 season. He credits this year as a turning point, proving his ability to compete among NASCAR’s elite drivers, including rivals like William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin. Briscoe’s progress with Joe Gibbs Racing and the Toyota team has been significant, as he acknowledged the sense of validation that 2025 offered.
He elaborated on his growth during the campaign and the outlook with his crew chief James.
“Really, this year I felt like we gave the field half a season head start because we were learning so much throughout the process. We’ll start on an even playing field next year, see if we can be better. Certainly, we think we can get back here. James and I were talking; we weren’t even at our full potential yet. I definitely feel confident we can get back.”
— Chase Briscoe, Driver
Briscoe Achieves Career-Best NASCAR Cup Finish
Completing this season third in the final NASCAR Cup Series standings marks Briscoe’s highest finish in his five-year Cup career, surpassing his previous best of ninth while with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2022. This achievement stands as a testament to his perseverance throughout a campaign riddled with setbacks. Briscoe will also carry forward lessons learned alongside teammates such as Denny Hamlin and in competition against drivers like Kyle Larson and William Byron, all under the high-pressure environment of Joe Gibbs Racing and NASCAR’s marquee events at venues like Phoenix.
As Briscoe resets for next season, his determined outlook and resolve signal that the 2026 season could see him emerge as a top contender for the Chase Briscoe NASCAR 2026 championship, positioning him as a key driver to watch as he seeks to turn near-misses into long-awaited Cup Series glory.
What Drivers Said at Phoenix after NASCAR Cup title for Kyle Larson, win for Ryan Blaney https://t.co/FMTBfMKcRZ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 3, 2025
