Chase Briscoe, known for his promising NASCAR Cup performances, has his sights set on elevating his road course results in 2025, following noticeable improvement since joining Joe Gibbs Racing. As Briscoe continues to fine-tune his approach, his determination to master road circuits stands out as he aims to turn consistency into breakthrough finishes next season.
Briscoe’s Evolving Road Course Journey
Chase Briscoe achieved a career milestone last year by breaking into the top four in the NASCAR Cup standings, fueled by his move to Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite these advances, his overall road course statistics reveal the challenge ahead—across 30 starts on such tracks, he has secured only two top-five finishes and nine within the top ten, holding an average finish of 18.4. In contrast, his results on oval tracks continue to outshine his road course efforts.
Yet, Briscoe’s passion for challenging, technical tracks is evident. During a visit to Austin to promote the First Responders Appreciation Weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Briscoe reflected on his longstanding enthusiasm for road courses.
“I surprisingly love road courses. It’s something that even at the beginning of my career, I loved going to them. I was just four or five seconds off the pace, and I had no clue where to get faster. And then I went and did a lot of road course racing and just kind of started to understand what I needed to be doing different. And I love road course racing now. It’s one of my favorite things to do,”
Briscoe stated.
Challenges and Highlights at COTA
The Indiana driver has formed a connection with the Austin circuit, which also hosts America’s Formula 1 event, even as his record there remains modest. His average finish at COTA sits at 15.6 over five starts, with a single top-ten showing. Briscoe appreciates the racetrack’s layout and competitive atmosphere, but notes the challenge posed by the all-star road course competition, now featuring Shane van Gisbergen, which adds to the complexity of claiming victories.
Briscoe is upfront about the unique challenges at COTA, especially regarding race officiating and track boundaries. He points to the notorious S-curves after the first hairpin, highlighting issues with corner-cutting and the significant gray area for drivers. These factors contribute to the frustration but do not diminish his enthusiasm for road course racing.
Impact of Team Change and Recent Progress
Briscoe’s transition from Stewart-Haas Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing provided a much-needed upgrade in equipment and support. The move revitalized his road course ambitions, allowing his skillset to shine on circuits that had previously yielded inconsistent results. Stewart-Haas Racing’s decline in performance hindered Briscoe’s ability to excel, but with JGR’s backing, he now enjoys increased competitiveness on all track types.
His 2024 season reflected this uptick, as Briscoe managed three top-ten finishes in six road course events. His standout run came at Sonoma Raceway, where starting from second, he maintained his position through the checkered flag. At the Mexico City road race, Briscoe made a marked climb from 19th on the grid to finish seventh, displaying resilience and adaptability. Briscoe has described his previous road course efforts as “hit-or-miss,” where success hinged on perfect execution or fell just out of reach, a trend he is determined to leave behind as he looks to the 2026 season.
The Road Ahead for Briscoe
Chase Briscoe’s commitment to improving his road course performance signals a pivotal shift for both driver and team as they prepare for 2025. With deeper experience and better resources at his disposal, Briscoe stands poised to turn his appreciation for technical circuits into tangible success. His progress will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike, as he strives to translate his growing confidence and skills into much-needed podium finishes at NASCAR’s most demanding tracks.
