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Chase Briscoe doesn’t get comfortable. You’d think a guy who just landed a prime ride with Joe Gibbs Racing, one of the powerhouse teams in NASCAR, would finally feel like he’s made it. But that’s just not how Briscoe is wired. It’s a mentality that’s both a burden and a blessing, a constant whisper in his ear that he’s only as good as his last race. “I’ve never brought a single dime to any race team, so really, all I can bring is myself,” Briscoe admitted. It’s a raw, honest take from a driver who has climbed the ladder the old-fashioned way: on pure talent and grit. “If you’re not performing, and all you can bring is your helmet, it makes it really easy for them to go in another direction. It’s why you have to perform and show your worth.”This constant feeling of being on the brink, of having his back against the wall, isn’t new. It’s the fuel that has propelled him from sleeping on friends’ couches to strapping into the No. 19 Toyota, one of the most coveted seats in the sport. Why Briscoe’s Mentality is His Greatest Asset Even with two wins this season for Joe Gibbs Racing and a legitimate shot at the NASCAR Cup Series championship, Briscoe can’t shake that feeling. He’s not just driving for trophies; he’s driving for his place, for the right to be there week in and week out. This isn’t surprising if you know Briscoe’s story, but it now feels somewhat unwarranted. The man is on fire. Just look at the first round of the playoffs. Briscoe didn’t just survive; he dominated. He scored more points than any other playoff driver (133), led a staggering 451 laps, and proved that he and crew chief James Small are building something special. That partnership, forged in the high-pressure cooker of the Cup Series, is already paying huge dividends. This feeling of being replaceable might just be the secret to his success. It’s a hunger that never fades, a chip on his shoulder that he carries with him into every corner. After winning the playoff opener, you could see a flicker of change, a slow dawning that maybe, just maybe, he truly belongs here. Proving the Doubters Wrong Alongside His Crew Chief “I always feel like I’m auditioning, still, every week to a certain extent,” Briscoe confessed. “I certainly feel way more comfortable now having multiple wins, but this is still a dog-eat-dog world.”He stepped into the massive shoes left by Martin Truex Jr., a former champion and a surefire Hall of Famer. The pressure was immense. While the industry never doubted Briscoe’s talent, this season is the first time he’s had the full might of an elite organization behind him. And he’s delivered. Both Briscoe and his crew chief, James Small, came into the season with something to prove. Small wanted to show he could win without Truex getting all the credit. Briscoe wanted to prove he could win consistently at the highest level.”We both had, I felt like, a lot of people doubting us,” Briscoe explained. “James got a lot of flak… but I’ve never met someone more competitive and more determined to win.”That shared desire has bonded them. When they won at Pocono, it was a collective sigh of relief. But their dominant performance at Darlington, where they swept the stages and led most of the race, was something different. It was a statement. It was the moment they announced to the garage that they were a force to be reckoned with. Redefining Success and Chasing a Championship Has Chase Briscoe finally “made it”? He’s torn. “I never in a million years thought I would race a single Cup Series race,” he reflected. By that measure, with four Cup wins to his name, he’s living a dream. But for a competitor like Briscoe, the goalposts are always moving. First, it was just making it to the Cup. Then, it was winning a race. Now, with a team capable of winning it all, the ultimate prize is in sight. Making it to the Round of 8 is an expectation at Joe Gibbs Racing. Advancing to the Championship 4 would be a career first. Capping this incredible season with a NASCAR Cup Series championship? That would be legendary. Final Thoughts This season has been a year of firsts for Briscoe. In his debut with Gibbs, he’s won multiple races for the first time, shattered his personal bests for laps led, and sat atop the point standings. He’s no longer just a talented driver; he’s a contender. That feeling of discomfort might never go away, but it’s that very feeling that could drive him all the way to a championship.
