Chase Briscoe is poised to experience a significant change as he heads into the NASCAR Playoffs at Kansas Speedway. Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has announced a crew chief swap aimed at enhancing Briscoe’s performance in the upcoming stage of the Cup Series playoffs. According to FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass, the organization will exchange over-the-wall pit crews between Briscoe and fellow driver Josh Berry.
While both Briscoe and Berry are skilled racers, Berry’s pit crew has consistently outperformed others throughout the season. Since Berry is not competing in the playoffs, the decision to reassign his pit crew to Briscoe seems strategically sound. This move is intended to optimize SHR’s overall performance at this critical juncture in the season.
Briscoe secured his playoff spot with a victory at Darlington, and his strong finishes have propelled him into the Round of 12 with relative ease. He finished sixth at Watkins Glen and eighth at Bristol, demonstrating his competitiveness as he advances in the playoffs.
Kansas Speedway will serve as the inaugural testing ground for Briscoe’s new crew configuration. Historically, Briscoe has had a somewhat inconsistent relationship with this track, managing a best qualifying position of tenth and a top finish of thirteenth. His previous performances in the Next Gen car at Kansas have also been lackluster, with results including finishes of twenty-fourth, twelfth, thirty-second, nineteenth, and twenty-first. Given his past struggles, it remains to be seen whether this pit crew change can significantly enhance his performance at Kansas.
Reflecting on his successful run to the Round of 12 following the Bristol race, Briscoe shared his thoughts with NASCAR.com. “The only time I had any concern the entire time is when I was sitting on the backstretch unbuckling after crashing,” he noted. He recounted a moment at Atlanta when they were at the airport and he saw a score that showed them minus-21 points. “I took a screenshot of it, sent it to our team guys, and I said, ‘doable.’ That’s all I said.”
Briscoe recalled his previous experience at Bristol for an elimination race, where they were also down by twenty-one or nineteen points, yet managed to overcome the deficit. “So yeah, I wasn’t really concerned at all being 21 down. I felt really confident about it,” he stated.
As SHR approaches the conclusion of its current NASCAR team setup, Briscoe will transition to Joe Gibbs Racing next season. This shift in teams could provide him with new opportunities and challenges as he continues his racing career. The upcoming Kansas race will be a crucial test not only for Briscoe’s new pit crew but also for his ability to adapt and improve on a track where he has historically faced difficulties.
This strategic crew swap reflects SHR’s commitment to maximizing their performance during the playoffs. By aligning Briscoe with a high-performing pit crew, they aim to capitalize on every advantage possible as the competition intensifies. As the playoffs progress, all eyes will be on Briscoe to see if this change will yield the desired results and help him elevate his standings in the championship chase.
Overall, Briscoe’s journey in the playoffs is shaping up to be an exciting one, and with the support of a revamped pit crew, he may just have what it takes to turn his fortunes around at Kansas Speedway. The pressure is on, but Briscoe’s confidence and SHR’s strategic adjustments could make a significant impact on his performance as he strives to advance further in the playoffs.
NASCAR News: Chase Briscoe Faces Huge Stewart-Haas Racing Change at Kansas
