NASCAR heads to New Hampshire this weekend for the first race of the Round of 12 in the Cup Series Playoffs. Following an action-packed start to the postseason, NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick has expressed strong confidence in Chase Briscoe as the likely victor at the Mobil 301 race. Briscoe’s recent performances and momentum with Joe Gibbs Racing position him as a top contender heading into New Hampshire.
Briscoe’s Strong Playoff Performance Sets the Stage
Chase Briscoe opened the Playoffs with impressive form, securing a win in the first Round of 16 race at Darlington. He maintained momentum by finishing second at Gateway, although his latest race at Bristol saw him drop to ninth place. Currently, Briscoe sits sixth in the Playoff standings, holding a ten-point lead over the cutoff line. As a Toyota driver, Briscoe’s consistency fuels his status as a promising Chase Briscoe Playoffs Winner candidate for New Hampshire.
Kevin Harvick Highlights Toyota’s Momentum and Track Experience
Kevin Harvick, a seasoned veteran with four wins at New Hampshire, noted Joe Gibbs Racing’s solid history at the track when explaining his confidence in Briscoe. Harvick emphasized the Toyota team’s recent positive momentum, especially after a strong performance in the previous week. He believes Briscoe and his crew have the right combination to succeed again and capture the win.
“Those guys have been too successful there, and had too good of speed with Truex. I just think that they have a lot of momentum, from Toyota, their team — coming off a good week where they figured it out. I think they get it done.”
Kevin Harvick said on Happy Hour podcast
Support from Co-Hosts Reinforces Briscoe’s Favorite Status
Kevin Harvick is not alone in backing Chase Briscoe to prevail this weekend. His co-hosts, Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith, have also shown strong support for Briscoe’s chances. Joe Gibbs Racing’s success in the Round of 16, which included wins from Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell, solidifies their reputation as dominant contenders. Vincie revealed she had already singled out Briscoe as a likely winner ahead of the race.
“That’s who I had written down as well. That’s why I gave a little hint earlier, about MTJ’s past success there. Tried to give a little precursor.”
Kaitlyn Vincie replied
Mamba Smith expressed a slightly broader outlook but still favored Briscoe and his JGR teammate Christopher Bell as the strongest bets to win in New Hampshire. He also mentioned Bubba Wallace as a potential contender, noting Wallace’s position with Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, a team allied with JGR.
“Honestly, it was either CBell or Briscoe for me. I think you couldn’t go wrong with either one. Had a little bit of Bubba Wallace in my head.”
Mamba Smith added
Implications for the Playoffs and What Lies Ahead
Chase Briscoe is widely seen as the favorite heading into the New Hampshire race, with multiple respected personalities placing their bets on him. The sweeping success of Joe Gibbs Racing during the early Playoff rounds, combined with strong Toyota momentum, creates a favorable environment for Briscoe to extend his playoff run. However, despite the optimistic projections, the competitive nature of NASCAR means the final results at New Hampshire will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Briscoe’s performance may prove crucial in advancing deeper into the Playoffs and maintaining his lead in the standings.
