Last year, Chase Briscoe secured a playoff spot with a win at Darlington, the final race of the regular season. The victory was deeply meaningful as he celebrated alongside his three-year-old son, Brooks, and his wife Marissa, who was expecting twins at the time.
That moment was especially touching as Briscoe knelt beside another High Point-sponsored Stewart-Haas Racing car, overcome with emotion and tears in his eyes. It was a rare occasion where his racing success was intertwined with heartfelt family joy. However, this past weekend at Pocono conveyed a different feeling.
Longing for Family’s Presence in Victory Lane at Pocono
During the Pocono race, Briscoe’s wife Marissa and their three children stayed home, and he expressed a strong desire for them to share in his victory celebration. He hoped for a moment similar to the one Dale Earnhardt Jr. enjoyed just a day earlier, when Earnhardt Jr. celebrated a milestone as a first-time crew chief for JR Motorsports after leading Connor Zilisch to his first Xfinity Series win.
Briscoe explained,
“I wish they were here. Normally I’m always super emotional, and I cry in Victory Lane and stuff. And I will say I was really good this time, except for when Brooks was on the phone with me. My oldest son — he was like, ‘Daddy, you won. You did the big burnout.’”
He acknowledged the bittersweet feeling in not having his family there.
And that sucks, right? When they’re not here to celebrate that with you, but yeah, it’s going to be fun to, you know, go home, bring the big trophy.
—Chase Briscoe
Brooks’ Excitement and Meaning Behind the Pocono Trophy
Briscoe shared that Brooks, who enjoys outdoor activities, would be fascinated by the eagle figurine atop the Pocono trophy. He humorously predicted his son might mistake it for a toy.
I’m sure he’ll break it thinking it’s a toy, but yeah, it’s going to be fun to go home. He’s at the age now where he’s almost four, so he kind of is understanding what’s going on, and yeah, I’m excited to get home to them,
he said.
Earnhardt Jr.’s Milestone Victory and Family Presence on Pit Road
Dale Earnhardt Jr. experienced a special moment of his own during the same weekend. In his debut as a crew chief, Earnhardt Jr. walked beside his daughters on pit road, smiling widely as Connor Zilisch earned his first career oval victory in the Xfinity Series. This milestone was particularly significant for Earnhardt Jr., who had previously swept Pocono in 2014 with Steve Letarte as crew chief.
Looking Ahead to Future Celebrations
Chase Briscoe’s win at Pocono, despite missing his family’s physical presence, reinforced the importance of his loved ones in his racing career. His hope to share future moments with them in Victory Lane remains strong, inspired in part by the heartfelt celebration witnessed from Earnhardt Jr. and Zilisch. These emotional victories emphasize the blend of personal and professional fulfillment that defines Briscoe’s journey in NASCAR.