Briscoe Reflects on Championship Race Frustration Amidst Stellar Joe Gibbs Racing Debut

Chase Briscoe acknowledged on Tuesday that he is "still kicking himself" over a critical tire decision during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, a moment that overshadowed an otherwise remarkably successful debut season with Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite reaching the Championship Four in his first year with the storied organization, Briscoe expressed a profound sense of disappointment, a sentiment that has lingered as the reality of the lost opportunity sets in.

"I mean, it was definitely a good first year, right?" Briscoe remarked during a pre-Awards Show media session. "I texted our group chat and told them, ‘we have a lot to be proud of,’ because we gave the whole field a half season head start." This candid assessment highlights the extraordinary pace of Briscoe’s integration into Joe Gibbs Racing. After four seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing, Briscoe transitioned to the No. 19 car, replacing veteran Martin Truex Jr., and partnered with crew chief James Small. The initial period involved an expected acclimation process, but Briscoe quickly demonstrated his capability, securing three victories, leading the series in poles, and accumulating more playoff points than any other competitor.

The ambitious goals set by Briscoe and Small at the beginning of the season were largely met, underscoring the team’s potent performance. "James and I sat down at the start of the year and he showed me all these goals, and I was like, ‘man, I have only two career wins and you expect me to do this?’ and we pretty much did all of them," Briscoe explained. "He wanted 15 top-5s and to have led 800 laps." These benchmarks, which seemed aspirational given Briscoe’s prior career win total, were systematically achieved, a testament to the synergy between driver and crew chief, and the robust support of Joe Gibbs Racing. The team also aimed for four wins, falling just short of that specific target, but exceeding expectations in nearly every other measurable category for a first-year partnership.

The lingering disappointment stems directly from the championship race itself, where Briscoe felt he possessed the speed to contend for the title. While his teammate, Denny Hamlin, ultimately battled for the championship, Briscoe’s race was plagued by a series of unfortunate events. An early flat tire during practice, followed by a subpar qualifying run, and then another tire issue during the race itself, continuously hampered his progress. Despite these setbacks, Briscoe and his pit crew demonstrated remarkable resilience, consistently clawing their way back through the field.

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Briscoe’s introspection centers on a pivotal decision made during a late-race pit stop. He is particularly regretful about not advocating for a different tire strategy that was employed by championship rivals Kyle Larson and his crew chief Cliff Daniels. Larson’s team opted for two scuff tires, a gamble that ultimately paid dividends in their victory. Briscoe, however, advised his crew chief to "trust your gut," which resulted in the decision to take four qualifying scuffs.

"I would personally rather be on offense, and I just wish that he would have obviously not let me talk him out of it," Briscoe admitted, referencing the conversation with Small. "Who knows? You never know. It’s the question mark of what would have happened." This uncertainty, the "what if," is the source of his current consternation. "So that’s the only thing that, I guess, is kind of burning me up is the tire issues we had and that I wish I would have let James trust his gut." The strategic divergence on tire choice at such a critical juncture of the season’s most important race has become a focal point of his reflection.

Despite the sting of the championship race outcome, Briscoe remains grounded in the overwhelmingly positive trajectory of his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing. The organization’s proactive pursuit of his services predates Martin Truex Jr.’s eventual retirement announcement, indicating a strong belief in Briscoe’s potential. Team owner Joe Gibbs had reportedly reached out to Briscoe prior to the official decision regarding Truex Jr.’s future, expressing keen interest in his acquisition.

"The goal was to at least win a race," Briscoe reiterated, reflecting on the initial objectives discussed with Gibbs. "I don’t think they expected this for our first season. Like, Coach told me the day before we signed that he would let me know what Martin decided by 11 in the morning. Sure enough, he called me at 10:57 and his first words were ‘you better not screw this up.’ So I told Coach on the grid after the race I hope I didn’t screw it up," Briscoe added with a laugh, underscoring the lighthearted yet significant exchange with the team owner.

Looking ahead, Briscoe’s focus is firmly on building upon the momentum of this highly successful inaugural season. The bar has been set, and the aspiration is to elevate performance even further in the coming years. "Now the goal is to build on this and move the goalposts even higher next year and beyond," he stated, signaling his commitment to sustained success with Joe Gibbs Racing.

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season saw Chase Briscoe achieve a career-high three victories, marking a significant leap from his previous best of two wins in 2022 with Stewart-Haas Racing. His pole count in 2023 also set a new personal best, further demonstrating his improved qualifying prowess. The transition to Joe Gibbs Racing, a team with a rich history of championship success, having secured 19 Cup Series championships, provided Briscoe with the resources and team infrastructure to unlock his full potential. His playoff performance, particularly leading the series in points accumulated during the playoff rounds, indicated a strong championship contender throughout the postseason. The No. 19 team, under James Small’s leadership, has a proven track record, having guided Martin Truex Jr. to a championship in 2017. This established foundation undoubtedly contributed to Briscoe’s rapid adaptation and success. The upcoming season will be keenly watched to see if Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing can convert their impressive performance into a championship title, overcoming the lessons learned from the bittersweet conclusion to their 2023 campaign.