This would be the third time that Chase Briscoe has raced within the NASCAR Cup Collection Playoffs however this time is totally different.
He’s anticipated to compete and contend for a championship.
His first two playoff appearances got here with the embattled remnants of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2022 and 2024. This was not the group that dominated a decade with Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick however the model that crumbled and finally folded.
That Briscoe even made the playoffs was one thing to have a good time, particularly final 12 months as a result of so many staff departing as soon as the closure information was made public, however the requirements are a lot totally different at Joe Gibbs Racing.
“I used to be telling my spouse that couple weeks in the past, that that is actually the primary time I’ve ever legitimately thought I might win a Cup championship,” Briscoe stated throughout NASCAR Playoff Media Day in Uptown Charlotte on Wednesday. “Up to now, you make the Playoffs and it’s thrilling, however down deep you type of know that the percentages of you successful are fairly slim, proper?
“Whereas now, to not say that I’m the favourite by any means, however I really feel like I’ve a official likelihood to go do it, the place at SHR, you by no means actually felt such as you had a official shot to do it. Undoubtedly feels totally different this time round understanding that you’ve got a shot and I might say this Playoffs feels totally different due to that.”
Briscoe completed the common season eighth within the standings, along with his victory at Pocono locking him into the playoffs, beginning the 10-race gamut because the No. 9 seed and 4 factors above the cutline. There have been 10 total top-5s within the first 26 races and three runner-ups at Sonoma, Dover and Iowa.
“We’ve completed second rather a lot, however the one was to (Shane Van Gisbergen, Sonoma) and that one, I don’t suppose I might have gained except one thing loopy occurred to him,” Briscoe stated. “The Dover race, I undoubtedly suppose I might have probably gained, nevertheless it was very excessive threat of wrecking myself and I don’t keep in mind the place the opposite one was the place we completed second (Iowa) however I’m certain there’s a likelihood to win that one probably too.
“Yeah, don’t know. If you happen to preserve placing your self in these positions, you’re going to win extra races. And the nice factor is, we’re in place. It’s only a matter of placing all of it collectively there on the finish. I be ok with it. Hopefully we will proceed to place ourselves in these positions and so they’ll finally go our approach.”
However once more, that can be a mirrored image of the altering surroundings Briscoe finds himself in, as a result of a runner-up would have been one thing to begrudgingly have a good time at Stewart-Haas nevertheless it’s not adequate within the large image.
By his personal admission, Briscoe stated he wanted to win at Gibbs or discover one thing else to do on Sundays, and he has a minimum of gained by this level of the marketing campaign. Now, possibly a championship isn’t completely the expectation however he desires to nonetheless be energetic within the hunt come the penultimate race at Martinsville.
“Yeah, I imply we have to go and carry out within the Playoffs, proper,” Briscoe stated. “That’s the distinction now could be that (at) SHR, did you need to get knocked out of the Spherical of 16? No, however in case you did like there was no person like, ‘man, that was a disappointing season.’ They have been nonetheless excited they made the Playoffs.
“The place right here (Joe Gibbs Racing), it’s nearly like in case you don’t make the Spherical of 8, that’s type of a failure on the 12 months and actually the ultimate 4 even, proper? It’s only a totally different mentality. For me, suppose we’re absolutely able to making it to the ultimate 4. From a pace standpoint, I might say arguably we’re one of many higher automobiles type of week in and week out, it’s only a matter of placing the entire race collectively.”
Briscoe stated he has the potential of Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell nevertheless it’s only a matter of executing the way in which their groups do.
“They’re doing a greater job proper now placing the entire race collectively than what we do, and plenty of that falls on myself going again to what I used to be simply saying with the chance versus reward,” Briscoe stated. “I believe as I get higher in understanding and getting extra expertise, that’ll be higher for me. However yeah, I’m glad we have been capable of win a race and make the Playoffs, however now that we’re right here, we have to do one thing about it.”
If Briscoe is to make the ultimate 4, it’s greater than doubtless going to require a win, he surmises. He’s 4 factors above the cutline now but when he advances on factors into the Spherical of 12, he’ll begin that spherical under the cutline after which faces an excellent bigger margin ought to he advance on factors into the Spherical of 8.
Come a sure level, Briscoe goes to should win.
“I might like to have extra Playoff factors,” Briscoe stated. “I’m assured that we will get to that Spherical of 8, however when you get to the Spherical of 8, at our factors deficit, there’s an opportunity you’re going to nearly should win the race. Anyone’s going to have the ability to level their approach into the ultimate 4, however realistically for us, it’s in all probability not going to be an choice.
“We’re already beginning 20-30 factors behind, in order that’s the large factor I believe for us is we’ve to have the ability to execute in these first two rounds and hopefully win a race or two. If we will try this and shorten that hole Playoff points-wise, I believe it places us in a greater spot.”
Fortuitously for him, the playoffs this 12 months begin with the crown jewel race that he gained final 12 months when it was the common season finale within the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. And actually, the extra issues change, the extra they keep the identical as a result of Briscoe appears like he must win this race simply as a lot as he wanted to final 12 months.
“I really feel like we have to go win it simply to lock into the subsequent spherical,” Briscoe stated. “It’s totally different (as a result of) your again was up towards the wall when it’s the final race of the common season and also you’re not going to race for a championship in case you don’t win however being within the playoffs this 12 months, it’s the identical feeling — that it’s important to go carry out. …
“It’s not a must-win and if I’m working sixth, I don’t have to do something making an attempt to win the race and go wreck. However in case you can win the race, we have to do it for the playoff factors that include it.
“Hopefully, I can go there and again up what we have been capable of do final 12 months nevertheless it’s going to be totally different. Every thing modifications all year long. Setups are totally different, tires are totally different, observe will age, and it’ll be a problem for certain.”
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