After clinching the final playoff spot in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series with a crucial win at Darlington, Chase Briscoe’s victory not only secured his place in the postseason but also brought renewed hope to his team, Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). This win was particularly emotional as SHR had announced that it would close its doors after the 2024 season, leaving the future of all 320 employees hanging in the balance. In 2025, the Haas Factory Team will take over with a single-car operation featuring Cole Custer behind the wheel. With their final season at stake, Briscoe’s win provided the team with a fighting chance to contend for the championship one last time, sparking a renewed sense of purpose among the crew.
Briscoe shared that SHR had gone all-in on supporting the #14 car, with the entire organization directing all its resources and efforts toward giving him the best opportunity to succeed. The weight of this responsibility could have been overwhelming, but Briscoe has handled the pressure admirably, delivering solid results in the opening round of the playoffs. Following his win at Darlington, expectations were high for him to perform well on superspeedways, but an unavoidable early crash involving Kyle Larson resulted in a DNF for Briscoe. Despite the disappointment, he quickly regained his focus, securing a P6 finish at Watkins Glen and following that up with an 8th-place finish at Bristol, further cementing his ability to bounce back after setbacks.
In just his fourth full season in the Cup Series, Briscoe made it to the Round of 12, outlasting seasoned Cup champions like Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski. This achievement was a testament to his growth as a driver and the strength of the SHR organization. In a recent press conference, Briscoe reflected on what had contributed to his success thus far, saying, “It’s been humbling, just from the whole company all embracing the 14 car and doing everything they can to make the 14 car have the best potential to win the championship.” He noted that the entire team’s efforts were focused on his car, with over 300 employees working together to ensure the #14 had the resources and support to succeed. “SHR from the day I’ve been there has never worked as well as they have right now,” he added, emphasizing the collective effort and commitment that had brought the team to this point.
This unity within SHR may explain why Briscoe has scored 79 points in the first round of the playoffs, surpassing even championship favorite Denny Hamlin, who earned 74 points. Briscoe’s average finish in this round was 16.7, which further underscores the solid performance he’s been able to deliver despite the immense pressure. He credited the entire SHR team, including all four crew chiefs and the three other drivers, for their commitment to helping him succeed. With the entirety of SHR’s focus on the #14 car, Briscoe felt confident that the resources and attention being directed toward his playoff push would make a significant difference. “I’m the only car in [the playoffs], and all the resources, effort, and focus are on us right now. No other team can say that,” Briscoe remarked. He also expressed appreciation for his teammates’ dedication, saying that their full commitment to his success would be key to advancing further in the playoffs.
Although Briscoe is currently 7 points below the cutoff line heading into the Round of 12, he remains optimistic about his chances. With SHR’s best pit crew assigned to his car for the remainder of the postseason, he has the tools he needs to perform at his best. After a few pit stop mistakes at Bristol, SHR made the decision to reassign Josh Berry’s pit crew to the #14 team, including Daniel Smith (rear changer), Daniel Coffey (front changer), Evan Marchal (fueler), and Mason Flynt (tire carrier). These crew members had previously worked with Kevin Harvick on the #4 car, and Briscoe expressed his appreciation for the change, calling it a return to his roots. “I’m back kind of with my original guys,” he said. At the same time, he made sure to acknowledge the hard work of his current crew, sending them messages to reassure them that they were still an integral part of the #14 team, despite the pit crew shakeup. “I know it probably doesn’t feel that way right now, but obviously, [Greg Zipadelli] and everybody at SHR felt like that’s what gave us the best opportunity to try to move on and try to advance to the next round,” Briscoe added.
As the Round of 12 looms, Briscoe and his team will face new challenges. The next race is at Kansas, a track where Briscoe has yet to finish in the top-10. However, Briscoe will start the race in 9th position, his best-ever qualifying result at the track, which could provide a solid foundation for a strong performance. Additionally, Briscoe has shown consistent form at other venues, including Talladega, where he has earned top-13 finishes in his last four races. However, the ROVAL remains an unpredictable challenge for Briscoe, as his last appearance there ended with a disappointing P28 finish. The team will need to continue working hard and refining their strategy to overcome these challenges and maintain their playoff push.
With the weight of the organization’s future resting on his shoulders, Briscoe’s journey in the 2024 playoffs is a testament to his resilience and the collective effort of SHR. Every race is crucial, and with the team fully behind him, Briscoe is determined to take full advantage of the opportunity, giving everything he has to help the team go out with a bang. The road ahead is tough, but Briscoe’s unwavering confidence and the full support of his team could be the recipe for success as he strives for a championship in SHR’s final season.
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