Chase Briscoe found himself in the spotlight once again after a series of troubling incidents on the track. Following his controversial move to bump Shane van Gisbergen at the Chicago Street Course, Briscoe was involved in a significant multi-car crash during the Brickyard 400. On a Lap 75 restart, the 29-year-old’s No. 14 Ford Mustang tightened up as he exited Turn 2, causing a domino effect that led to a major pileup. This incident resulted in early retirements for drivers William Byron and A.J. Allmendinger, while Briscoe himself ended the race in 24th place. As Briscoe prepares for a transition to Joe Gibbs Racing, where he will take over from the esteemed Martin Truex Jr., he needs to address these on-track issues if he hopes to live up to Truex’s legendary status. NASCAR insider Brett Griffin discussed Briscoe’s performance on the ‘Door Bumper Clear’ podcast, highlighting the need for improvement as Briscoe aims to prove his worth among NASCAR’s elite drivers.
Chase Briscoe’s Growing Controversy
The Brickyard 400 was marked by a tumultuous series of events, including multiple cautions, crashes, and debates. A pivotal moment occurred on a Lap 75 restart when Briscoe’s No. 14 Ford Mustang became loose, causing a chain reaction. Ryan Preece, driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, was caught between William Byron and Harrison Burton, resulting in contact and a subsequent spin for Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro. Byron’s car collided with A.J. Allmendinger’s No. 16 Chevy before crashing into the wall, ending their races prematurely.
Brett Griffin, speaking on the ‘Door Bumper Clear’ podcast, recounted a heated exchange involving William Byron’s spotter after the race. Griffin explained that Joey Campbell, Briscoe’s spotter, approached Byron’s spotter Branden Lines to explain that Briscoe had gotten tight, which led to the incident. This explanation did not sit well with Lines, who reacted strongly.
Reflecting on Briscoe’s upcoming transition to Joe Gibbs Racing and his replacement of Martin Truex Jr., Griffin emphasized that Briscoe needs to improve his performance. He noted that since Briscoe’s signing, there have been numerous mistakes, and it’s crucial for him to have a few clean races to prove he deserves the seat. Previously, at the Chicago Street Course, Briscoe’s misjudgment led to Shane van Gisbergen’s early exit after a collision caused by Briscoe’s out-of-control car.
With Stewart-Haas Racing set to close at the end of the season, Briscoe’s future at Joe Gibbs Racing offers him a chance to follow in the footsteps of the highly respected Martin Truex Jr. As he prepares to drive the No. 19 Toyota Camry, Briscoe must overcome his recent challenges and avoid further wrecks to establish himself as a top competitor.
The No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports car has a storied history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, previously driven by Jeff Gordon, who won in 1994 during the inaugural Cup Series race on the track. The car had continued to win at least once every decade until now, with William Byron’s 38th-place finish attributed to Briscoe’s actions. After the race, Byron expressed his frustration, attributing the poor result to Briscoe’s driving, which he described as erratic and detrimental to his own performance.
With only four races left in the regular season, Briscoe remains among six drivers vying for a playoff spot without a win. Competitors like Martin Truex Jr., Bubba Wallace, and Ty Gibbs are in the same position, knowing that only a victory will guarantee a postseason berth. William Byron, while disappointed by the Brickyard 400 outcome, is secure in his playoff spot with three wins this season. As NASCAR resumes after a two-week Olympic break, Briscoe has the opportunity to regroup and deliver a strong performance at Richmond Raceway to improve his standing and reputation.
