Chase Briscoe faced a challenging situation inside his car during Sunday’s Round of 12 finale at the Charlotte ROVAL, as he battled nausea while competing. The NASCAR Cup Series driver was seen requesting medication toward the end of Stage 1, and his team provided an ice pack to help ease his discomfort, according to NBC Sports announcer Leigh Diffey.
This physical struggle comes at a critical moment for Briscoe, who arrived at the race 21 points above the playoff elimination line. After Stage 1, his lead narrowed to 19 points, and with his current position at 17th, Briscoe needed a strong finish to maintain his hopes of advancing in the playoffs.
Consistent Performance Fuels Playoff Ambitions
A driver known for consistency this season, Briscoe has carried his reliability into the postseason with impressive results. Representing Joe Gibbs Racing, he claimed victory in the playoff opener at Darlington Raceway and has secured top-10 finishes in every playoff race since then. Despite the grueling circumstances during Sunday’s event, his aim remains clear—to secure a championship before the season concludes.
Replacing a future Hall of Famer like Martin Truex Jr. is no small feat, but Briscoe has stepped up, elevating the No. 19 team’s performance after a difficult start to their 2024 campaign. He is determined to finish the season with a championship trophy, though the immediate focus is overcoming Sunday’s race challenges.
Competitive Landscape and Briscoe’s Strategic Outlook
Briscoe recently acknowledged the tight competition among top drivers, emphasizing the importance of outperforming rivals in every stage and the overall race to advance.
“We’re really just racing the [No.] 22 [Joey Logano] and the [No.] 1 [Ross Chastain],”
Briscoe said earlier this week, via Kelly Crandall of RACER.
“If we can go and outrun them in both stages and the race, then we can move on no matter what. But it’s obviously not that easy, either. So, it’s tough knowing that we’ve been as good as we have, and there is the potential to be knocked out.”
Reflecting on the season’s progression, Briscoe highlighted the impact of earlier performances:
“But it all comes back down to the regular season and not performing in the first half of the season to get all the stage points and playoff points to put ourselves in a better position.”
Ongoing Battle and What’s Next for Briscoe
The combination of physical distress and stiff competition adds urgency to Briscoe’s mission to remain in the playoff race. His current position and health condition at the Charlotte ROVAL indicate a difficult road ahead, but his past consistency offers hope for a comeback. As the postseason intensifies, every point and performance will be crucial for Briscoe and the Joe Gibbs Racing team.
Chase Briscoe is battling nasuea and has asked team for some medication, if avaliable. #NASCAR
— Chris Knight (@Knighter01) October 5, 2025
