Chase Briscoe, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, found himself unexpectedly at the heart of NASCAR’s viral promo for the 2026 US Navy Base Coronado race. This high-profile campaign showcased Briscoe alongside five other Cup Series stars, highlighting a unique blend of military themes with NASCAR’s rising talents.
The promo presented an intense, cinematic look at the drivers assuming the roles of naval recruits, capturing fans’ attention and emphasizing Briscoe’s growing prominence within the sport.
Behind the Scenes: NASCAR’s Movie-Quality Production Delights Drivers
Briscoe shared how even the drivers were amazed by the final video, reflecting on the incredible production work.
“Just seeing how they made all that come together, it was pretty wild,”
he said during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“It was super cool just to finally see the finished product. We filmed all of it and knew what the goal was, but you never really know how it’s gonna turn out.”
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver praised the production team responsible for creating the promo’s impactful visuals, noting their experience with short form videos widely shared on social media platforms.
“They do such an incredible job,”
Briscoe stated.
“The production company they use is the same group that makes all those videos you see on Instagram, a lot of the short clips leading into a race.”
Briscoe’s assigned call sign, Hoosier, featured prominently with fellow drivers’ nicknames like Chase Elliott’s Peaches and Joey Logano’s Zamboni, adding authenticity to their roles. The promo captured real interactions such as when Carson Hocevar radioed Elliott,
“Hey, Clyde, you gonna do some of that pilot sh**?”
to which Elliott replied,
“It can’t be any worse than your driving.”
Briscoe’s laugh and shout of “Sick burn, Peaches!” illustrated the natural chemistry among the drivers.
The promo’s intense flying sequences were created using CGI, as Briscoe explained,
“We were literally just sitting in the plane on the runway. It wasn’t like we were actually in the air flying, but they made it look like it was.”
He expressed admiration for the advanced special effects that enhanced the video’s dramatic feel.
The San Diego Shoot: More Than Just Filming for Drivers
The two-day shoot in San Diego offered much more than just production time; it became a valuable opportunity for the drivers to bond. Briscoe reflected,
“It was a lot of fun to shoot. Myself and all the other drivers had an awesome time in San Diego.”
He emphasized how the experience allowed them to connect away from the racetrack.
“We were able to spend two days out there and just hang out as a group of drivers, and it was a lot of fun.”
The promo’s most memorable moments often occurred spontaneously, capturing the drivers’ genuine personalities. For example, Gragson’s teasing jibe at Byron about Sabrina Carpenter prompted the comment,
“Sabrina Carpenter’s not gonna like that.”
Hocevar’s remark,
“Why did we not bring SVG?”
referring to road-course expert Shane van Gisbergen, revealed their candid team dynamics. Even moments involving evading Navy Security Forces became part of their camaraderie.
Briscoe described the naval immersion during filming as authentic, with the commander treating the drivers like actual recruits in a ceremony grounded in honor, courage, and commitment. When the commanding officer pronounced,
“You belong here with us on this sacred ground,”
the gesture held real significance for the participants.
The Promo’s Impact and NASCAR’s Creative Future
With significant investment in CGI sequences and high-quality cinematography, NASCAR aimed to deliver an exciting and visually stunning promotion to energize its fanbase ahead of the Coronado race. Briscoe expressed relief and pride that the promo was now public. “Glad that it’s finally out.”
For Briscoe, this project went beyond marketing—it signaled NASCAR’s innovative approach blending military precision with the authentic personalities of its drivers. This creative direction, reinforced by strong teamwork and technical excellence, promises to add new energy to NASCAR’s promotional efforts and fan engagement.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why was Chase Briscoe suspended?
A. Chase Briscoe received a penalty for changing the base of a car part, the spoiler, in a way that was not allowed. NASCAR took away 100 points and 10 playoff points from Briscoe. They also fined Joe Gibbs Racing $100,000. James Small, who is Briscoe’s crew chief, got a four-race suspension. Joe Gibbs Racing intends to contest this penalty.
Q. Why is Chase Briscoe suspended?
A. Chase Briscoe, driving the No. 14 car for Stewart-Haas Racing, received an L3-level penalty in May 2023. Officials found a fake part in the car, leading to a loss of 120 points in both the driver and owner standings. The team also lost 25 playoff points.
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe end up?
A. Next season, Chase Briscoe will join Joe Gibbs Racing, taking over the No. 19 Toyota from Martin Truex Jr. Truex, now 43, will retire from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing at this season’s end. Over the past six years, he has claimed 15 victories for Joe Gibbs Racing.
