Briscoe Conquers Pocono and Secures a Playoff Spot with Joe Gibbs Racing
In an unexpected turn in his career, Chase Briscoe, a third-generation driver, found success at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), NASCAR’s most coveted team. The demand was clear: “If you don’t qualify for the playoffs, you won’t race in this car anymore,” according to Briscoe’s words. The move to JGR, known for its five Cup Series driver titles and its constant pursuit of victories, involved a significant adaptation. Briscoe’s crew chief, James Small, highlighted the difference in the level of demand: “Where he came from, there wasn’t much responsibility. Nobody demanded anything of him. That was probably a big wake-up call for him.”
Briscoe’s victory not only guaranteed him a place in the playoffs, but also marked the first win for the number 19 Toyota since 2023, when Martin Truex Jr. drove the car. Briscoe, who lost his seat at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) at the end of last season, was chosen to replace Truex, almost a year after his victory at Pocono. Hamlin, holder of the track record with seven victories, was close to catching Briscoe in the final laps, but failed to overtake the number 19 Toyota. Briscoe was impressed by the pressure: “It was very difficult to have a guy chasing you, especially the best of all time here.” The fuel strategy was crucial, with Briscoe making his final pit stop on lap 119 of 160, while Hamlin did so on lap 120. Despite estimates that Briscoe would run short on fuel, he secured the victory by 0.682 seconds. JGR owner Joe Gibbs expressed his nervousness during the race: “The most nervous I get is when two of our cars are at the front.” Gibbs now has Hamlin, Bell, and Briscoe in the playoffs. “It’s definitely more work, but that’s because they’re at such a high level,” Briscoe commented. “Even running with teammates who are winning has been a big adjustment for me.” Briscoe, who also won an Xfinity Series race at Pocono in 2020, achieved his third Cup victory and the first since Darlington in 2024. The driver has had an impressive streak, with his fourth top 10 in the last six races, including a seventh place in the recent race in Mexico City. With this victory, Briscoe became the eleventh driver to secure his place in the playoffs, with nine races remaining to define the field of 16 drivers. Team boss James Small, who stayed with the team through Truex’s winless season and Briscoe’s winless start, commented: “It’s been a couple of tough years. We never lost faith, none of us.” Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five. Briscoe, raised in dirt racing in Indiana, gave JGR its 18th Cup victory at Pocono. “Literally, I grew up playing my sprint racing video game in a Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot uniform,” Briscoe said. “Taking the Coach to victory lane after they gave me a chance is very rewarding. Literally, I took a big weight off my shoulders. I’ve been telling my wife for the last two weeks, I have to win. Finally coming here and doing it, it’s been a great day.” The race was delayed 2 hours and 10 minutes due to the rain and the conditions were sweltering when the green flag waved. Briscoe led 72 laps and won the second stage. Briscoe wrote before the race on social media: “Is anyone going from Pocono to Oklahoma City after Sunday’s race?” The Pacers fan, who bet on the team to win the NBA title, was unable to attend Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Without a doubt, they will settle for a trip to the winners’ zone.“I’ve only won three Cup races, right? But this is by far the least enjoyable simply because it’s now expected,” Briscoe stated. “You have to win. Where at SHR, you really felt like you surprised the world if you won.”
Chase Briscoe
