Chase Briscoe has made a strong impression in the 2025 NASCAR season since joining Joe Gibbs Racing, emerging as a notable figure among the playoff contenders. With consistent performances and recent podium finishes, Briscoe is drawing attention as a dangerous competitor who could disrupt the established frontrunners in the upcoming playoffs.
Entering the season with high expectations replacing Martin Truex Jr., Briscoe has made his mark by securing seven top-five finishes out of 21 races, including a win at Pocono. Despite a few poor outings affected by luck or minor errors, his consistent form has turned heads within the NASCAR community, especially that of Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who recently expressed his thoughts on Briscoe’s potential impact as the playoffs approach.
Earnhardt Jr. highlights Briscoe’s rising threat in the playoff race
Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of JR Motorsports and two-time Xfinity Series champion, acknowledged Briscoe’s notable progress during his podcast commentary following a strong second-place finish at Dover. While cautious about prematurely naming any championship favorites, Earnhardt Jr. recognizes Briscoe as a genuine threat poised to challenge NASCAR’s top drivers.
I’m not sure that anyone else is really ready to make this claim, but I’m feeling like Briscoe, to me, might be the… he’s pretty dangerous in terms of you used to have the Big Three, and there’s always going to be like these drivers as we get closer to the playoffs that we pinpoint as the guys that are the favorites.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.
Earnhardt Jr. recalled the traditional dominance of a few elite drivers in previous years and suggested Briscoe could soon join the ranks of those considered serious contenders. He noted that as the playoffs near, certain racers emerge as favorites, and Briscoe’s current momentum positions him as one to watch closely.
The NASCAR veteran further discussed the nature of the playoff era driven by the Next-Gen car, pointing out that past champions have often hit their peak performance right at the start of the playoffs. He used Joey Logano’s unexpected championship victory as a comparison, suggesting Briscoe could similarly surprise the field by either sneaking into contention or disrupting the top contenders.
This championship comes down to these couple of drivers. And we’re not always right. Joey Logano sneaks in and wins a championship, nobody thought that was going to happen. And I think Briscoe’s the kind of guy that can get in there and cause some headaches for some of the drivers that we feel like will be the contenders in this playoff system…
Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
Briscoe’s dedication behind the scenes fueling his strong performances
Briscoe has attributed much of his current success to the rigorous preparation he undertakes before each race. In a recent appearance on the Rubbin Is Racing podcast, he detailed the intense workload required to stay competitive at the highest level of NASCAR, emphasizing the importance of studying extensive race footage and data, as well as spending hours in simulators.
There’s a ton of stuff, but it’s all together. You’re watching the video, and you’re looking at the data, and then you go to the simulator, and try to apply it. Like this week alone, I’ve done 10 hours in the simulator. So, I mean, it’s just there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes, that even I didn’t realize happened until I got to NASCAR.
Chase Briscoe said.
Briscoe’s approach to race preparation has evolved significantly since his earlier days in junior racing championships, reflecting a more comprehensive commitment to detail and improvement. This dedication has paid dividends through consistent finishes and his ability to compete with NASCAR’s elite on a regular basis.
Briscoe’s ambitions aim beyond current successes toward championship contention
Despite his upward trajectory, Briscoe acknowledges that he still has areas to refine before mounting a serious championship campaign. He aims to take more calculated risks during head-to-head duels and inspire his team to deliver stronger car setups. Briscoe’s focus on continuous improvement indicates that he views the current strong performances as a foundation rather than a peak.
The stakes for Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing remain high as the playoffs approach, with racing fans and analysts eager to see if he can maintain his momentum and challenge established frontrunners such as Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. His capacity to disrupt the hierarchy could significantly alter the playoff outlook and add unpredictability to the championship battle.
