Fuel gamble pays off as Briscoe claims third career victory, locks into NASCAR Playoffs
LONG POND, Pa. — In a nerve-racking, fuel-mileage thriller at Pocono Raceway, Chase Briscoe captured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory with Joe Gibbs Racing, outlasting teammate Denny Hamlin and fending off a hard-charging field to win the Great American Getaway 400. The win marks Briscoe’s third career Cup Series win and his first driving the No. 19 Toyota—a seat previously held by retiring champion Martin Truex Jr.
A Signature Moment for Briscoe—and JGR
From the moment Briscoe took over the high-profile No. 19 ride, the expectations were crystal clear: win races and contend for championships. On Sunday, he delivered.
“This was a huge win—not just for me, but for everyone at JGR who believed I could do this,” Briscoe said. “To beat Denny [Hamlin] at Pocono, with him on my bumper in the closing laps, it means everything.”
Briscoe now becomes the sixth first-time winner of the 2025 season and punches his ticket to the NASCAR Playoffs. Perhaps more importantly, he may have finally found his stride with a top-tier team.
Stage 1: Hamlin in Command
Pole-sitter Denny Hamlin took control early, leading every lap of the 30-lap opening stage with smooth, fast laps. Chris Buescher kept him honest, but clean air and a lightning-quick Toyota Camry allowed Hamlin to seal the stage win.
Meanwhile, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and the entire Hendrick Motorsports camp made up significant ground after poor qualifying efforts.
Stage 2: Cautions and Chaos
Stage 2 brought four cautions and a flurry of drama:
- Brad Keselowski emerged as a threat but suffered a strategy blow after entering pit road while it was closed.
- Riley Herbst and Bubba Wallace both crashed due to brake rotor failures—a major issue that sidelined both 23XI Racing entries.
- A multi-car wreck caused by a Kyle Busch spin collected Shane van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell, and Ty Dillon. Busch’s struggles in the No. 8 continued, drawing concern even from brother Kurt Busch.
Amid the chaos, Chase Briscoe powered through to win Stage 2, setting up a duel with Hamlin for the final stage.
Final Stage: Briscoe’s Fuel Gamble Pays Off
Briscoe took the lead and never looked back, but it wasn’t without stress. After a quick final pit stop, crew chief James Small warned the No. 19 team might be a few laps short on fuel.
Briscoe responded with surgical fuel conservation—all while Hamlin and 2024 Pocono winner Ryan Blaney loomed large in his mirrors. The final 30 laps ran green, forcing Briscoe to stretch his tank to the limit.
“It was about staying calm, hitting my marks, and lifting early when I could,” Briscoe said. “Those last 10 laps were the longest of my life.”
He led a race-high 72 laps and crossed the line first, triggering an emotional celebration.
Unofficial Top 10 – Great American Getaway 400
- Chase Briscoe
- Denny Hamlin
- Ryan Blaney
- Chris Buescher
- Chase Elliott
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Kyle Larson
- Ryan Preece
- Brad Keselowski
- Austin Cindric
Briscoe x Indiana Pacers?
In the post-race interview, Briscoe—an Indiana native—was asked about the Indiana Pacers’ odds in the NBA Finals, and with a grin he said,
“I hope this is a good sign. We’re both trying to shock the world.”
Chase Briscoe’s victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. A statement that he belongs at the top, that Joe Gibbs Racing made the right call, and that pressure fuels performance. With a playoff spot secured and confidence surging, this may be the start of a powerful second half of the season for the 19 team.
