Chase Briscoe championship pursuit is intensifying as he and crew chief James Small prepare for a decisive campaign in 2026, following a season of significant growth at Joe Gibbs Racing. The team’s progress in 2025 laid a strong foundation, positioning Briscoe among the top competitors and setting the stage for a serious shot at a Cup championship next season.
Leadership Changes and Early Adjustments Shape the Team’s Direction
In 2024, Briscoe joined Joe Gibbs Racing under the guidance of crew chief James Small, previously partnered with veteran Martin Truex Jr., whose five-win 2023 season fell short of ultimate expectations. With Truex Jr. stepping away from full-time driving, focus turned to Briscoe, Small, and the challenge of harnessing team potential to mount a championship bid.
Small approached the role as an opportunity to prove himself, and Briscoe soon delivered a breakout year—leading the field in pole positions, finishing second in top-10s, tying for the most top-five results, and matching the best average starting position. Notably, Briscoe finished on the lead lap as often as anyone, underscoring the pair’s consistency and resilience throughout the 2025 campaign.
That steady performance propelled Briscoe to third place in the points standings, marking his best season and signaling a new era for the No. 19 operation. Although Small was part of Cup Series title-winning teams, this period represents his first push toward the championship as a head crew chief. Joe Gibbs Racing, too, celebrated its first top-five points finish since 2021—a clear sign of renewed competitiveness.
Lessons Learned Fuel Higher Expectations
Small and the team reflect on the near miss with a sense of determination. He views the setback as a temporary obstacle, maintaining optimism for future campaigns and acknowledging the growth in his approach and decision-making processes.
“It (being wise) comes with time and experience, and every rep helps. It’s [about] trying to remain calmer throughout the races, make better decisions, and have trust in what you’re doing. I think there have been times you make decisions and beat yourself up afterward. You learn from that as well.”
— James Small, Crew Chief
With confidence in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing entry’s building blocks, Small expects to bypass the early season growing pains of the last campaign. In 2025, initial momentum was inconsistent despite a strong Daytona 500 qualifying performance; this coming year, the expectation is to deliver from the opening rounds.
The previous season demanded that Briscoe adapt to a new vehicle while the team recalibrated around him, requiring flexibility and quick learning from both driver and crew. Race execution often proved elusive amid the transition and addition of fresh personnel. Now, with that adaptation behind them, Small believes performance standards will rise immediately—without leniency for the adjustment curve.
The crew chief acknowledges the heightened scrutiny: he will be tasked to transform the group’s evident potential into championship success.
Team Morale and Cohesion Drive Confidence
Small senses a unique chemistry within the current lineup, which he believes will be a catalyst for future achievement.
“We have a really, really great team. Everybody’s willing to do whatever it takes. It’s a different atmosphere. The morale is naturally a lot higher right now. We can build toward the coming years. So, there’s not really any question of what’s going to happen. It’s how successful can we be?”
— James Small, Crew Chief
Briscoe shares in that confidence, crediting the groundwork laid in 2025 for enabling immediate competitiveness in 2026. Last year, the squad spent valuable time adjusting while rivals gained an early edge. Now, with lessons learned and a proven pace, Briscoe anticipates beginning on equal footing and aggressively pursuing the championship rather than playing catch-up. With the team’s high baseline performance established, he believes reaching the Championship 4 again is a realistic target.
Both Briscoe and Small agree: their combined potential as driver and leader has not yet reached its peak.
A New Chapter Begins for Briscoe’s Championship Quest
The partnership between Chase Briscoe and James Small has ushered in significant improvement for Joe Gibbs Racing, reigniting hopes of Cup Series glory. With higher morale, stability among crew and personnel, and the advantage of a season spent learning together, Briscoe’s championship pursuit will enter 2026 with strong momentum. If early results match internal expectations, the team may soon be rewarded with the Cup trophy that has so far eluded their grasp.
