Chase Briscoe recently opened up about his tenure with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) during a candid radio interview with SiriusXM. The No. 19 driver shared an emotional moment from his final race with the team, revealing that he became teary-eyed as he reflected on the end of an important chapter in his racing career.
Briscoe began his stint with SHR in 2021, driving the No. 14 Ford. He quickly made an impact as a newcomer, earning the prestigious Rookie of the Year honors. His breakthrough moment came the following year when he secured his first Cup Series victory at Phoenix Raceway. Briscoe continued to build momentum into 2024, making it to the playoffs by winning the regular season finale at Darlington Raceway.
However, 2024 also marked a bittersweet end for SHR, as the team closed operations after one of its most successful campaigns. The shutdown hit Briscoe hard, especially as he reflected on the 2024 finale race at Phoenix. “I think about Phoenix last year,” he recalled. “I remember literally firing up the engines on pit road for the race and crying my eyes out just because of the end of that chapter of my life. I had been there for eight, nearly nine years, and the people in the 14 car were guys that came to family birthday parties and gender reveal parties. I had such a bond with them, and I knew that chapter in my life was closing.”
Briscoe finished the 2024 season with a solid resume: one win, three top-5 finishes, nine top-10s, and four pole positions. He ranked 14th in the driver’s standings but was eliminated from the playoffs after a rough run in the Round of 12.
This season, however, Briscoe has hit the ground running. With three wins already under his belt and two races remaining before the playoffs, he is in a strong position and competes alongside Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammate Denny Hamlin, both having secured guaranteed spots in the championship race.
### Chase Briscoe’s Plan of Action at Martinsville
Looking ahead, Briscoe is setting his sights on another win in the playoff elimination race at Martinsville Speedway. Despite having already secured a spot in the final four, he recognizes the importance of a solid performance to maintain momentum and keep his spirits high.
“The stress is off in a sense of the playoffs,” Briscoe said on the latest episode of *Dale Jr. Download*, “but you don’t want to go to Martinsville and run terrible and finish 28th, then carry that into Phoenix. You want to have a good run and carry that momentum forward.”
A win at Martinsville would not only bolster Briscoe’s confidence but also benefit his JGR teammate Christopher Bell. Bell, who previously won the playoff elimination race at Martinsville three years ago, would lock into the final four through points alone with another strong showing. That initial Martinsville victory earned Bell his first Championship 4 appearance—a milestone he repeated in 2023.
As the playoffs continue, all eyes will be on Martinsville as Briscoe looks to keep his championship hopes alive and help his teammate in the process.
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