Racing with something to prove, NASCAR Cup Series’ Chase Briscoe nearly detoured his first trip to Victory Lane as a driver for his new team.
Briscoe departed a pit stop without a full gas tank and white-knuckled the steering wheel over the final laps Sunday at Pocono Raceway. Attempting to save fuel while pole-sitter and teammate Denny Hamlin positioned himself to make create a late-race pass attempt.
The chance never developed as Briscoe conserved enough fuel to power his way to The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.com title, his first win driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. He led 72 laps to qualify for the playoffs.
“I was trying to save fuel (but) I wasn’t on the ragged edge,” Briscoe told Prime.
When asked about Sunday’s conservative approach, Briscoe, known for “overdriving” machines, paused and grinned. He remembered some fatherly advice he finally understood.
A third-generation driver, Briscoe’s dad once told him to “slow down,” hit the track’s marks consistently and he’ll “drive faster.”
Sunday, he did, holding off Hamlin, a seven-time national series winner at the “Tricky Triangle.”
The winning move could be traced back to the No. 19 Toyota making a pit stop from P12, gambling a yellow flag will fly. It did on Lap 72 when Michael McDowell experienced brake issues while running P26. Briscoe cycled to the front.
X (Twitter) users responded to Briscoe putting another Joe Gibbs team back into the playoffs …
Win No. 1 in the No. 19. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/Ft3ma3xTrX
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 23, 2025
After a rain delay, the flag dropped for the start of the race within the race, drying the 2.5-mile tri-oval track …
UPDATE: Track-drying efforts are underway at @PoconoRaceway.
Stay tuned to @PrimeVideo for the latest. pic.twitter.com/V0RMB42kUb
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
With the track dry, the field went green at Pocono …
Time to put the pedal down at @PoconoRaceway!
The green flag is out on @PrimeVideo! pic.twitter.com/GcE3VO5txA
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Carson Hocevar saves the No. 77 Chevrolet from spinning out of control. He later rushed through the field …
.@CarsonHocevar was SIDEWAYS!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7YkGDtXcaP
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Bubba Wallace lost a tire and went into the wall on Lap 54 …
Trouble for @BubbaWallace brings the yellow back out on Lap 54. pic.twitter.com/LwsafoGzMn
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Kyle Busch went for a spin on Lap 83 …
Ride with @KyleBusch and @CBellRacing. pic.twitter.com/EU5puVgrPv
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Brad Keselowski pitted when it was closed and the mistake took him back of the pack. He rallied for a P9. As a co-owner, he’ll have to answer to himself …
A costly miscommunication for the No. 6 team. pic.twitter.com/V4NDELXIsn
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Hamlin claimed Stage 1 …
A picture-perfect start for @dennyhamlin!
He leads every lap en route to the Stage 1 victory. pic.twitter.com/Jo97CtfwnE
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Briscoe claimed Stage 2 …
Pit strategy pays off for @chasebriscoe!
He takes Stage 2 at @PoconoRaceway. pic.twitter.com/AMnLsfGN8s
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Briscoe holds on to the lead late, but will he have enough fuel in the tank? …
.@chasebriscoe cycles out ahead of @Chris_Buescher … but will the No. 19 have enough fuel?@SteveLetarte breaks down the strategy. pic.twitter.com/IS0lG1Peog
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
Another P2 for Hamlin …
He was pressing for his eighth career @PoconoRaceway victory, but @dennyhamlin has to settle for second today.
That is the No. 11's sixth top-two finish of 2025. pic.twitter.com/N2RgCkqp9D
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 23, 2025
Briscoe heard the pep talk as he closed in a personal win. After taking over for the retired Ryan Truex Jr., Briscoe was beginning to feel extra pressure. “I told my wife, I have to win,” he said …
.@chasebriscoe understood the assignment. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/tixLTh3WTi
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025
The No. 19 team had reason to celebrate Sunday …
This @JoeGibbsRacing team made all the right calls! 👏 pic.twitter.com/2UKz2WCVio
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 23, 2025