Chase Briscoe is gearing up for significant changes as he enters the next phase of the NASCAR Playoffs at Kansas Speedway. In a strategic move aimed at boosting his performance, Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has decided to swap pit crews between Briscoe and fellow driver Josh Berry. This decision, first reported by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, comes as Briscoe prepares for the high-stakes competition ahead.
While both Briscoe and Berry are skilled drivers, the pit crew assigned to Berry has consistently outperformed others throughout the season. Berry, however, is not in the playoffs, which makes his need for top-tier pit support less crucial. On the other hand, Briscoe, as a playoff contender, is in dire need of every advantage possible to enhance his chances of success. By giving Briscoe access to Berry’s top-performing crew, SHR aims to maximize its chances of advancing in the playoffs, hoping this tactical move will pay off in the upcoming races.
Briscoe’s journey to this point has been impressive. His win at Darlington secured his spot in the playoffs, and since then, he has shown strong performances. He finished sixth at Watkins Glen and eighth at Bristol, allowing him to comfortably progress to the Round of 12. These results have solidified his position as a serious competitor, but with tougher challenges ahead, every race counts. Kansas Speedway will serve as the testing ground for this new pit crew setup.
Briscoe’s history at Kansas Speedway, however, has been a bit rocky. While his best qualifying position at the track was 10th, his highest race finish is 13th. His recent performances in the Next Gen car have also been underwhelming, with finishes ranging from 12th to as low as 32nd. Given this track record, the key question is whether the new pit crew can make a meaningful difference in his performance at Kansas. Briscoe has struggled here before, and overcoming these challenges will require not just a strong pit crew, but also flawless driving and smart race strategy.
Speaking after his race at Bristol, where he secured his spot in the next playoff round, Briscoe reflected on the challenges he faced. In an interview with NASCAR.com, he shared his thoughts on his playoff journey so far. “The only time I had any concern the entire time is when I was sitting on the backstretch unbuckling after crashing,” Briscoe admitted, referring to an earlier moment in the season.
He continued to explain a turning point: “When the race played out at Atlanta, we were sitting there at the airport, and it literally just showed minus-21. I took a screenshot of it, sent it to our team guys, and I said, ‘doable.’ That’s all I said.” Briscoe’s confidence has been a driving force throughout the season. “We were 21 or 19 points out the last time we came to Bristol for the [elimination] race, and we made up that. So yeah, I wasn’t really concerned at all being 21 down. I felt really confident about it.”
Briscoe’s ability to stay calm and focused under pressure has been one of his strengths. His resilience and determination have been key factors in his playoff run so far. However, the challenges will only increase as the competition tightens. With Kansas presenting a new set of hurdles, the pressure is on to see if this crew swap will provide the boost Briscoe needs to continue his playoff journey.
Looking ahead, there are even bigger changes on the horizon for Briscoe. With SHR planning to wind down its NASCAR operations, Briscoe will be making a move to Joe Gibbs Racing next year. This transition adds another layer of significance to his current playoff run, as it could be his last opportunity to make a deep playoff push with SHR. Ending his time with SHR on a high note would be a fitting conclusion to this chapter of his NASCAR career, while also setting the stage for his future with Joe Gibbs Racing.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Briscoe to see how he handles the pressure and performs with his new pit crew at Kansas and beyond. With each race in the playoffs more critical than the last, this crew swap could be the game-changer he needs to break through and achieve even greater success. Regardless of the outcome, Briscoe’s grit and determination will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping his future in NASCAR.
“Chase Briscoe Gears Up for Big Changes with Stewart-Haas Racing in Kansas: Is This the Turning Point in His NASCAR Journey?”
