Dale Earnhardt Jr. has highlighted Chase Briscoe, teammate to Denny Hamlin at Joe Gibbs Racing, as a rising threat in the NASCAR playoffs due to his improving form and late-season surges. With Denny Hamlin demonstrating playoff performance mastery this season, Briscoe’s recent momentum signals he could challenge his rivals when it matters most.
Chase Briscoe’s recent results show a clear upward trajectory. After a slow start to this NASCAR season, the 30-year-old driver has posted two consecutive front-row starts each followed by runner-up finishes, marking a significant improvement in consistency and speed. Earnhardt Jr. believes Briscoe’s ability to peak during the critical playoff stages can disrupt other contenders.
Reflecting on Briscoe’s progress, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on the Dale Jr. Download podcast,
“Since I guess you know, sometime around the 600, he’s been qualifying really good, and he seems to have figured out how to take advantage of the tools that this 19 car has.”
He continued, emphasizing Briscoe’s playoff potential:
“And the other thing that I like about Briscoe is he always seems to come on late and especially in the playoffs, he overachieves. And so I’m not sure that anyone else is really ready to make this claim, but I’m feeling like Briscoe to me might be pretty dangerous.”
Denny Hamlin currently leads the playoff standings with four victories, reinforcing his reputation for clutch performances, while Briscoe holds the eighth position, buoyed by his first career win at Pocono Raceway.
Briscoe Recognizes Hamlin’s Experience in High-Stakes Racing
At the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 held on July 20, Chase Elliott displayed strong pace, but the real contest for victory was between Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe. Over two overtime restarts at Dover Motor Speedway, Hamlin narrowly fended off Briscoe in a finish marked by intense competition and door-to-door racing during the final lap. Despite Briscoe benefiting from fresher tires, Hamlin’s experience was decisive.
In a post-race interview, Briscoe acknowledged the challenge of racing Hamlin up close.
“I thought I was going to win the race, truthfully…..Would’ve obviously loved to beat Denny, but there’s a reason that guy’s won 60-something races. He’s just so good. He knows where to put his car in those situations, so learned a lot,”
Briscoe said during a Sirius XM NASCAR Radio segment.
Denny Hamlin also commented on their intense final lap clash, noting how close they came to a wreck and reminding his opponents to race carefully.
Upcoming Challenges at Indianapolis and the In-Season Challenge Clash
Both Hamlin and Briscoe will next compete at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This track remains a difficult venue for Hamlin, who did not finish the race last season and has yet to secure a win at this prestigious event, holding an average finish position of 32. The race will take place on Sunday, July 27, with coverage available live on TNT Sports at 2 p.m. ET and radio updates via SiriusXM.
Additionally, the Brickyard 400 weekend will feature the Champions Round of the In-Season Challenge, where Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs will face Ty Dillon in a high-stakes showdown for a $1 million prize. This convergence of major events adds further excitement and opportunity for drivers to make their mark as the playoffs continue to unfold.
With Hamlin showcasing playoff performance mastery and Briscoe steadily rising, this season’s final stretches could witness surprising outcomes. Briscoe’s growing confidence and past tendency to excel in postseason pressures position him as a wild card, potentially impacting how rivals approach the upcoming races and playoffs.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Since starting his full-time career in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has achieved great success. He has won 51 Cup Series races and the Daytona 500 three times (2016, 2019, and 2020), while also earning significant prize money.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has built a net worth of about $65 million through his successful racing career, endorsement deals, team ownership, and real estate investments. Whether driving or managing a team, Hamlin consistently makes smart choices both on and off the racetrack.