Chase Briscoe is entering the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with strong momentum, solid results, and a competitive car ready to win, though he remains somewhat under the radar. Driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, Briscoe has quietly crafted one of his best seasons, demonstrating his growing potential as a serious playoff contender.
The critical moment at Pocono that shifted Briscoe’s season
After four years at Stewart-Haas Racing, Briscoe took over the prestigious No. 19 ride from Martin Truex Jr., bringing heightened expectations. Though his teammates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell have drawn most of the spotlight with multiple wins, Briscoe’s defining achievement came in July at Pocono Raceway. Starting on pole, his fourth of the year, he led a race-high 72 of 160 laps in the Great American Getaway 400.
The victory was not straightforward, as Briscoe managed fuel meticulously in the final 34 laps and fended off tough challenges from Hamlin—Pocono’s all-time wins leader—and Ryan Blaney, a two-time winner at the venue. Ultimately, Briscoe crossed the finish line 0.682 seconds ahead of Hamlin, securing his first win for Joe Gibbs Racing and sealing his spot in the 2025 playoffs. This win marked the third of his Cup Series career and validated the confidence he expressed earlier in the year after a close second-place finish at Sonoma.
“I feel like I get overlooked a lot of the time, but I hopefully will be able to kind of earn the respect of a lot of guys… This No. 19 car finally lets me show what I feel like I’m capable of. I honestly think there’s only been two tracks all year long where we couldn’t have won from a speed standpoint.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR driver
Briscoe has also praised the leadership within Joe Gibbs Racing, highlighting the role of team owner Joe Gibbs in fostering accountability and success.
“Just having the boss around. Like Coach (Joe Gibbs) is in every meeting. He’s at the race track every single weekend… Where(as) with Coach, that is his full-time job. He’s just trying to make Joe Gibbs Racing as successful as it can be. So even just having the boss there and having somebody that’s going to hold you accountable on Monday if you run bad.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR driver
Building on success with strong performances in the season’s latter races
Following the breakthrough at Pocono, Briscoe’s form remained steady, showcasing his growing maturity as a competitor. After two disappointing outings at the Chicago Street course and Atlanta Speedway, he rebounded with his best-ever road course finish—second place at Sonoma—chasing down Shane van Gisbergen in a hard-fought battle. Next, at Dover, he enjoyed one of his most complete races, starting and finishing second on a track where he previously struggled.
At the Brickyard 400, Briscoe’s home race, he earned the pole position for the event, secured victory in Stage 1, but ultimately finished in 18th place. He followed that up with another pole at Iowa—the sixth of the season and his second consecutive—before finishing as the runner-up. Thanks to his consistent performances, Briscoe is currently eighth in the NASCAR standings, accumulating 640 points heading into the next race.
His upcoming challenge is the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International in New York, a 90-lap race covering 220.5 miles. Although road courses have not historically been Briscoe’s strongest suit, with just two top-10 finishes in four starts at Watkins Glen, improvements in his road racing skills suggest he could deliver a strong performance.
Prospects for multiple wins and shedding the dark horse reputation
Briscoe’s predecessor at Joe Gibbs Racing, Martin Truex Jr., excelled at Watkins Glen and the succeeding races in Richmond and Daytona. Given the speed that Briscoe has demonstrated recently, securing multiple victories before the regular season ends is within reach. His momentum positions him to break away from the “dark horse” label that has followed him and emerge as a prominent contender as the playoffs approach.