Chase Briscoe has aligned himself with a group of NASCAR drivers, including Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, who prioritize family life above competing outside NASCAR’s traditional circuits. Since stepping into the #19 Toyota seat for Martin Truex Jr., Briscoe has made it clear that his commitments off the track, especially to his family, outweigh the allure of sprint car racing, underscoring how Chase Briscoe prioritizes family over sprint car racing.
A Shift in Team Policy and Briscoe’s Personal Choice
When Joe Gibbs Racing lifted a long-standing restriction limiting its drivers to NASCAR events, it opened the door for talents like Briscoe and Ty Gibbs to explore opportunities in off-NASCAR competitions. This change was influenced by both Briscoe’s past experience on dirt tracks and Ty Gibbs’ ambitions to expand his racing portfolio. However, among the drivers affected by this policy amendment, Christopher Bell was the one who embraced it fully, frequently competing against Kyle Larson in off-season dirt and sprint car events. By contrast, Briscoe chose to step back from these races to concentrate on his career within NASCAR and to devote time to his three young children.
Briscoe’s Reflections on Balancing Racing and Family
When discussing his potential return to sprint car racing, Briscoe expressed a firm stance on his current priorities. He noted,
Honestly, I’m retired, I think. I’m a little bit different than Bell, where obviously we grew up racing him all our life, right? But the last four or five years, like I’ve been able to go run them and I’ve been doing those things and Christopher hasn’t…
—Chase Briscoe
He further reiterated the impact of his growing family on his decisions:
If I was single and didn’t have kids, like I would definitely be out running them. But especially now having 7-month-old twins at home and a 3.5-year-old.
—Chase Briscoe
Briscoe illustrated how his priorities have shifted away from racing on off days like Wednesdays:
For me, the priorities are just different. If I have a Wednesday off or something, I would rather just be home with my kids than go run a sprint car race. So, I would watch the sprint car race at home with my kids, but I just would rather be home and spend time with them than be out doing, you know, those things.
—Chase Briscoe
Looking Ahead: No Rush to Return to Sprint Cars
Although not entirely dismissing the possibility of sprint car racing again, Briscoe compared his diminishing interest to losing the thrill that once drew him in, likening it to no longer being captivated by the allure of the Indy 500. He explained,
And if the desire is not there, I’m not going to go do it,
—Chase Briscoe
His transition to Joe Gibbs Racing has presented challenges such as adapting to new management, handling complex paperwork, and facing technical obstacles unfamiliar from his time at Stewart-Haas Racing. Managing these adjustments alongside family commitments leaves little room for additional racing ventures.
The Importance of Stability as Briscoe Focuses on NASCAR
With his focus now on building a stable foundation within Joe Gibbs Racing and nurturing his young family, Briscoe’s choice to prioritize home life reflects a significant personal decision. This stance places his career growth in NASCAR and family welfare above other racing opportunities. It also signals that any return to sprint car racing would only come after he feels fully settled with his current team and life circumstances.
