Chase Briscoe on In-Season Challenge has become a central topic after the debut of NASCAR’s new format at the Atlanta race, leaving drivers divided over the tournament’s structure. The opening round, which saw Chase Elliott secure victory, sparked major debate as no perfect brackets remained and several top competitors were unexpectedly eliminated early.
Atlanta’s Race Shakes Up the Tournament
The introduction of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge for 2025 generated immediate questions about its potential influence on competition. The first contest at Atlanta’s 1.5-mile superspeedway, featuring high stakes and 400 miles of tense racing, ended with a dramatic shift in the expected outcome. Early in the event, the notorious “Big One” wreck on lap 69 took out several frontrunners, such as Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Ross Chastain, derailing many predictions about who would move forward in the tournament bracket.
As a result of this upset, underdog drivers found themselves with an unexpectedly strong opportunity to pursue the grand $1 million prize. The unpredictability of superspeedway racing led to the rapid elimination of both experienced and favored competitors, with even teams like Joe Gibbs Racing feeling the impact when Chase Briscoe was among the first to be knocked out.
Briscoe Voices Concerns Over Superspeedway Format
Chase Briscoe, having exited the contest in the initial round, chose to share his candid views during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR’s The Morning Drive. He argued that Atlanta may not have been the ideal venue for launching the new tournament due to the distinctive and uncontrollable nature of superspeedway racing conditions.
“I’m not a fan, personally, you know I love the racing at Atlanta,”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Briscoe described the closing moments of the Atlanta race as remarkable for spectators, but acknowledged his difficulty accepting the outcome from a competitive standpoint. He explained that the inherent unpredictability of a superspeedway creates circumstances where drivers are at the mercy of multi-car incidents, making success more about avoiding crashes than strategic skill.
He further elaborated, reflecting on his preference for a format that allows for greater driver influence, rather than luck. Briscoe noted that while all teams faced identical risks, the bracket’s structure limited drivers’ ability to shape their own destinies.
“I think for me I would have liked to have been able to control my destiny a little bit more and just go to tracks where you feel like there’s more for the whole team, right?”
—Chase Briscoe, Driver
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Challenges
Despite his disappointment, Chase Briscoe remains focused on pursuing further wins for Joe Gibbs Racing. As the NASCAR Cup Series moves next to the Chicago Street Course on July 6, drivers and teams are preparing for fresh challenges and a different racing environment. Fans will have another chance to see how the new In-Season Challenge plays out as coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET on TNT, with the NASCAR Nation pre-race show setting the stage for more intense competition.
The outcome in Atlanta and Briscoe’s comments have fueled wider discussion among drivers and fans regarding the fairness and excitement of NASCAR’s evolving tournament structure. The series will continue to test how this new format shapes both competition on the track and the strategies teams adopt in pursuit of the top prize.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe go in 2025?
A. Chase Briscoe won his first NASCAR Cup Series race of 2025 at Pocono Raceway. He managed his fuel carefully to reach the finish line. Briscoe took home the victory in The Great American Getaway 400 while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. This win adds his name to the team’s list of NASCAR Cup Series winners.
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe be in 2025?
A. On Friday, Joe Gibbs Racing shared that Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Briscoe and the No. 19 team for all of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Briscoe will take Martin Truex Jr.’s place on the team.
