In the aftermath of a severe penalty issued to his Joe Gibbs Racing team following the Daytona 500, driver Chase Briscoe remains resolute. His optimism is rooted in the ongoing appeal process. Though the situation isn’t ideal, Briscoe believes it won’t derail his season even if the appeal doesn’t go in their favor.
Expressing his gratitude for the chance to appeal, Briscoe shared his hopes of a positive outcome during an interaction at Atlanta Motor Speedway over the weekend. The contentious penalty involved a modification to a single-sourced part, the spoiler of Briscoe’s No. 19 car, which was singled out during an inspection by the NASCAR R&D Center.
The consequences were severe: a 100-point deduction, a $100,000 fine, and a loss of 10 playoff points. Furthermore, James Small, Briscoe’s crew chief, faces a four-race suspension from the Cup Series. However, as the appeal process is underway, Small’s suspension is postponed. NASCAR is yet to announce the appeal date.
This penalty comes early in Briscoe’s tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing, and an unsuccessful appeal could lead to a month-long absence of both Briscoe and Small from the competition, a potential setback to the team’s momentum and camaraderie.
Despite admitting the unfavorable timing and potential impact, Briscoe remains confident in the depth of talent at JGR, hinting at the likes of Chris Gabehart, the competition director, and others who could step in. However, he emphasized the importance of sustaining his budding chemistry with Small, an integral aspect of their early season strategy.
A seasoned Cup Series crew chief, Gabehart previously spent six seasons with Denny Hamlin. Post-penalty, Briscoe finds himself in a precarious position, with a deficit of 67 points and a loss of 10 playoff points. However, he thrives in adversity and views his new role at JGR as a must-win situation, suggesting that this setback doesn’t necessarily alter his perspective.
The penalty does tighten the ropes, leaving no room for slip-ups. Similar to his experience at Stewart-Haas Racing last year, when a summer penalty pushed him to secure his playoff spot in the regular season’s final race, Briscoe realizes that he and his team can ill-afford a rough season.
Should the appeal be unsuccessful, it would eliminate their wiggle room, as Briscoe puts it, their “mulligans”. Any poor performance or DNFs could jeopardize their playoff prospects. Despite these potential stumbling blocks, Briscoe remains committed to winning, a vital requisite for any championship contender aiming to secure a place in the playoffs. Amidst these challenges, it’s clear that the driver’s spirit remains undeterred and his determination unwavering.