Chase Briscoe has expressed significant difficulty coming to terms with the outcome of the recent Phoenix finale, where Kyle Larson was crowned the Kyle Larson Cup Series champion. The Hendrick driver clinched the championship while Briscoe, after a challenging day at the track, found himself left with regret and disappointment at his first championship-4 appearance.
Briscoe’s Hopes Dashed After Challenging Qualifying
The finale at Phoenix saw Chase Briscoe aiming for his first major title, but from the outset, unfavorable circumstances began to shape his fate. Briscoe’s potential was hampered by a disappointing qualifying session, which relegated him to start in the twelfth position. Despite strong performances earlier in the playoffs, this middling grid position made overtaking crucial and difficult during such a competitive title-deciding race.
Throughout the event, Briscoe struggled to gain consistent momentum against top contenders including Denny Hamlin and the eventual champion, Kyle Larson. Though he did manage to recover several positions during the race, he ultimately finished in eighteenth place. This poor result ended his pursuit of the championship, a hard blow for someone who had worked his way through the playoff battles with resilience.
Nevertheless, Briscoe cited some satisfaction in his ability to make comebacks on track positions. He managed to advance through the field on multiple occasions, underscoring his competitive edge even under pressure. Yet, the inability to secure the title in his inaugural season as a championship-4 participant has weighed heavily on him, delivering a sting that overshadows the achievements of his season.
“It’s hard to swallow in a sense, Like, as the days go on, it gets even tougher because it would be different if we ran 15th all day. But I feel like we were capable of winning and just didn’t get to show it with all the issues. We went from the back to the front like two or three different times.”
Chase Briscoe said, as reported by motorsport.com.
The intense frustration Briscoe feels has deepened with the passage of time, as he reflects on the race and how it might have played out differently. He maintains that he could have been a genuine contender for both the race victory and the championship if not for persistent issues with his car. Moving up from the back of the pack several times seemed to offer hope, but it wasn’t enough to secure the most critical result of his career against rivals like Hamlin and Larson.
Debate Over Tire Strategy Adds to Briscoe’s Regret
Strategic calls during the race added to Briscoe’s woes. A caution caused by William Byron’s late-race collision left many drivers and teams scrambling to adapt their plans in real time. In this moment, Briscoe and his crew chief James Small faced a pivotal decision while in the pits: whether to change two tires or four. The team ultimately opted for four qualifying scruff tires, a move that mirrored Denny Hamlin’s choice—one that may have ultimately cost both drivers a shot at the title.
Briscoe openly acknowledged his wish to have allowed his crew chief to follow his initial instincts, rather than influencing the decision during a moment of pressure. He expressed the lingering uncertainty of what might have been if they had committed to a different tire strategy, suggesting that the outcome of the championship could have been affected by this single call.
“I would personally rather be on offense, and I just wish that he would have obviously not let me talk him out of it, Who knows? You never know. It’s the question mark of what would have happened. So that’s the only thing that, I guess, is kind of burning me up is the tire issues we had and that I wish I would have let James trust his gut.”
Chase Briscoe noted.
For Briscoe, the tire decision represents a lingering “question mark” that continues to trouble him. The pressure and unpredictability of racing at Phoenix, especially when a title is on the line, forced quick judgment calls that left little room for second-guessing. Now, with the season over, those small moments and debates loom large in his mind, fueling his overall sense of regret.
The Emotional Fallout and Looking Toward the Future
With the 2025 NASCAR season now concluded, Briscoe is left to reflect on what was, by many accounts, an eventful and highly competitive finale. The Phoenix race distinguished itself as an entertaining clash, showcasing the championship-caliber skills of all four contending drivers—Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron. Each showed resilience, but Larson’s final performance with Hendrick Motorsport sealed his legacy as the Kyle Larson Cup Series champion.
The playoff format has drawn criticism from racing fans and insiders alike, especially in light of the high-stakes drama and strategic gambles at Phoenix. Yet, despite any controversy, it delivered edge-of-the-seat moments that kept the racing community riveted. The disappointment is profound for Briscoe, who now discusses the loss and his “title defeat” with an unmistakable weight. Fans and fellow competitors, including notable names such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., have weighed in on the dramatic end to the season, adding to the conversation around the value and unpredictability of the current championship format.
As Chase Briscoe processes his struggles from the season’s most consequential race, his focus will inevitably shift toward recovery and preparation for 2026. The lessons from qualifying, pit calls, and the anguish of near-miss championship battles will no doubt feed into his motivation. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson continues his celebration as the newly crowned Cup Series champion, capping off a memorable and emotionally intense close to the Phoenix finale.
