Chase Briscoe finds himself at a pivotal juncture in his NASCAR career this weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. As a driver for Stewart-Haas Racing, he’s 32 points behind the playoff cut line, meaning a victory this weekend is critical for his advancement. Briscoe is treating this race as a definitive “must win.”
Despite the steep points deficit, Briscoe views his circumstances as liberating for his race strategy.
“I actually think being 32 points out is better than being 15 to 20 points behind,” he said in an interview with Speedway Media. “With our current status, we’re just aiming to snag that win, rather than hoping to point our way in, which would require everything falling into place perfectly.”
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Briscoe believes that this high-stakes situation opens up strategic possibilities. “It allows us to rethink our approach and focus on gaining track position,” he noted.
He is optimistic about his chances at the road course, viewing it as the ideal spot for executing a successful race plan. “This is the track where I feel the most confident in chasing a victory,” he affirmed.
A native of Mitchell, Indiana, Briscoe carries on the racing legacy established by his grandfather and father. He kicked off his racing journey in quarter midgets and quickly progressed through various formats, including sprint cars. By 13, he was not only driving 410 sprint cars but also broke Jeff Gordon’s record as the youngest winner in that category’s history.
Briscoe gained prominence in the 2016 ARCA Racing Series, clinching the championship with ease. His success earned him a spot in the Ford Performance NASCAR Driver Development Program. A highlight in his early career was winning at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the 2017 Camping World Truck Series, where he was voted Most Popular Driver and Rookie of the Year.
In the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series, he shined with nine victories, the most in the series that year.
In 2021, he joined Stewart-Haas Racing, taking the wheel of the No. 14 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series. He won the Rookie of the Year title, but the 2024 season has been tough. However, after a recent win at the Southern 500, he broke a 73-race winless streak and secured a playoff spot, reaffirming his capability to perform under pressure.
As Stewart-Haas Racing wraps up its operations in 2024, Briscoe is set to transition to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, where he will drive the No. 19 Toyota, succeeding Martin Truex Jr. The upcoming races are critical for his future in the sport.