At Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon, Chase Briscoe staged a late-race charge that came up just short in the fight for the win, securing another runner-up spot. The intense contest unfolded after a dramatic restart, where Christopher Bell’s spin set the stage for a showdown between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Briscoe on fresher tires.
Key Moments Shape the Race Outcome
The lead changed hands several times in the closing laps, starting with a tight battle between Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin. Bell’s late spin underneath Hamlin during a restart after a lengthy red flag created an opening for Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Toyota, to challenge Hamlin for victory. Despite a fierce two-lap effort where Briscoe pushed to overtake Hamlin, the latter was able to hold off the charge on the frontstretch after the white flag, leaving Briscoe in second place once again.
Briscoe Reflects on Racing a Teammate
Briscoe expressed the difficulty of the situation, balancing aggression with caution against a fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver.
“If it wasn’t a teammate, I definitely could have been more aggressive, like into [Turn] 3 and putting him into a really bad aero situation,”
he stated. He also explained his approach to avoiding unnecessary risk, saying,
“The odds of one of us wrecking were pretty high, and I want to make sure a JGR car wins the race. It would not have been a good Monday morning meeting if I go in there and do something and wreck us both and somebody else wins.”
Chase Briscoe’s Summer Push and Race Strategy
Coming off a runner-up finish the previous week at Sonoma, Briscoe is building momentum toward a strong playoff position, although wins remain critical for playoff points. Speaking about his drive for the win, Briscoe said,
“I was trying to be smart about it, but also going for the win, too. I just needed the back of the Camry to be about three to four inches shorter, I was all but clear [of Hamlin] but couldn’t get it done.”
Admitting Limitations Despite the Podium
Briscoe acknowledged that his car was not the fastest throughout the race and that their final position was better than expected.
“We were not the best car, by any means. We weren’t even a second-place car. Realistically, we should have finished fifth to 10th, that’s just the speed we had,”
he said.
He added insight on their performance deficit and late-race surge:
“We just lacked five percent of what we needed to be the best car. I just could never get there for some reason. Fortunately, we were able to make something out of it at the end, I just we were on the other end of it.”
The Implications of Another Strong Showing in Dover
This latest runner-up finish solidifies Chase Briscoe’s presence as a competitive contender at Dover and reflects the team’s consistent performance under challenging conditions. While victory narrowly escaped him, Briscoe’s ability to capitalize on late-race restarts and strategy adjustments highlights his growing potential to secure crucial wins needed for the playoff battles ahead. As the summer progresses, Briscoe’s momentum could prove vital for Joe Gibbs Racing’s ambitions moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe be in 2025?
A. In 2025, Chase Briscoe will become part of the successful team at Joe Gibbs Racing. He will replace Martin Truex Jr., who is retiring, to drive the No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE.
Q. Where is Chase Briscoe going in 2025?
A. Switching from Stewart Haas Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing has increased expectations for Briscoe, who is experiencing his best season in Cup racing. One year ago, Chase Briscoe was chosen by JGR to take over for Martin Truex Jr., who shared that the 2024 season would be his final year as a full-time NASCAR Cup driver.
