Briscoe Aims for Upset in NASCAR Championship at Phoenix
As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway for the championship showdown, Chase Briscoe stands as the underdog among the four title contenders. Despite being labeled a long shot, Briscoe is undeterred, emphasizing his team’s strong playoff performance. “My whole career, I’ve been the underdog with the longest odds, so I kind of like that,” he stated. “But I don’t feel like we’re some underdog.”
Briscoe secured his championship spot ahead of schedule, but a mechanical failure during the elimination race at Martinsville Speedway raised questions about his momentum. Despite this setback, he has recorded eight top-10 finishes and led 562 laps over the nine playoff races, accumulating a total of 337 points—more than any other contender.
Meanwhile, fellow drivers Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Kyle Larson all boast fewer top-10 finishes in the same timeframe. Larson managed to edge out Briscoe in points with 340 after a strong top-five finish last weekend, while Hamlin stands out with multiple postseason victories at St. Louis and Las Vegas.
Briscoe remains confident in his team’s potential, stating, “I feel like we’re all honestly really evenly matched. It’s just a matter of executing.” Current championship odds place Hamlin at +235, followed by Larson and Byron at +350, with Briscoe at +310—unlikely, yet competitive.
Notably, Briscoe is making his first appearance in the Championship 4. He expressed minimal pressure ahead of the race, noting, “Honestly, I don’t feel like there’s any pressure… nobody really expected us to be here anyway.”
After joining Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe gained momentum following his first win at Pocono in June. He achieved a sequence of strong finishes in August, affirming to his team that they were championship-caliber, although he admits they have not yet fully met their potential.
Briscoe’s previous performance at Phoenix illustrates his resilience—despite finishing 35th in the spring after a crash, he clinched his first Cup Series victory at the same venue in 2022. As race day approaches, confidence and determination mark Briscoe’s pursuit of an unexpected title.
