Chase Briscoe’s 2025 season with Joe Gibbs Racing was marked by notable achievements and bold performances, quickly establishing him as a major force in the NASCAR Cup Series. Taking over the No. 19 Toyota following Martin Truex Jr.’s retirement, Briscoe elevated expectations in his first year with the team by securing three victories, finishing third in the final standings, and making a deep playoff run—all key points in any Chase Briscoe 2025 season review.
Briscoe’s Transition and Achievements with Joe Gibbs Racing
Briscoe’s move to Joe Gibbs Racing was prompted by the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing, and he filled the seat left by long-time contender Martin Truex Jr. Under the guidance of crew chief James Small, Briscoe’s fifth full-time Cup campaign became his breakout performance. He swiftly made an impact by winning three races and earning a total of 15 top-five finishes and 19 top tens, while leading 884 laps throughout the year.
The highlight of his season came in the playoffs, where Briscoe clinched his first appearance in the Championship 4 after winning at Talladega during the Round of 8. Despite entering the Phoenix finale as a strong title hopeful, a pair of flat tires thwarted his championship bid, relegating him to an 18th-place finish for the race and third place overall in the standings.
Memorable Victories and Race Performances
One of Briscoe’s most memorable moments of 2025 was his repeat victory at the prestigious Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend. After starting on the front row, he delivered an outstanding drive by leading 309 laps and sweeping all stages, firmly establishing himself as a championship favorite for the season.
Aside from his Southern 500 triumph, Briscoe’s ability to secure pole position was also a signature feature of his year, capturing a series-high seven poles, including consecutive starts at the Coca-Cola 600, Nashville, and Michigan. His first win of 2025 was a strategic triumph at Pocono Raceway, where fuel management played a decisive role. Briscoe’s revised statistics—three wins, 884 laps led, and a 12.7 average finish—far surpassed his previous career benchmarks.
Contextual Highlights and Season Ironies
Despite his season-best seven pole positions, Briscoe was unable to convert any of those starts into a victory or even lead the most laps from pole position, with his peak being 81 laps out front at Iowa Speedway. Nonetheless, his consistency and speed throughout the year positioned him among the elite drivers in the Cup Series. Among all drivers, his performance set new standards for Briscoe and provided a foundation for even greater aspirations in the years ahead.
Briscoe Reflects on Season’s Pressure Performances
Chase Briscoe spoke candidly about his approach to pressure situations, explaining how high-stakes moments have continually shaped his career.
“I’ve always just loved high-pressure situations. I feel like I just perform better for whatever reason. I feel like my whole career has always been a high-pressure situation, right? Like, there was no backup plan. You might only get one race you had to go perform and show your worth. I’ve always felt like I mean every week, I feel like I’m still auditioning to prove that I belong here. Certainly, the higher the pressure, the better I feel like I do.”
— Briscoe on competing in the brightest lights after his August Southern 500 win.
Outlook for the No. 19 Team in 2026
Following his breakthrough and a run to the Championship 4, expectations are high for Chase Briscoe and the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team going forward. With a strong finish to 2025 and momentum on his side, Briscoe is positioned as a leading candidate for the Bill France Cup next season. The consistency and pace displayed in the latter half of his campaign set the stage for Briscoe to take the final step toward becoming a first-time Cup Series champion.
