In the high-speed world of NASCAR, fortunes can change faster than a lap at Talladega. For Chase Briscoe, the winter of 2019 was a make-or-break moment. The young driver, already a rising star in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, was facing the devastating reality that his career could end due to a lack of sponsorship. But in a story fit for Hollywood, a random meeting in Las Vegas with a devoted fan would rewrite Briscoe’s destiny and keep his racing dreams alive.
A Career on the Brink
Briscoe’s trajectory had been promising. With 11 Xfinity wins, a Truck Series victory in 2017 at Homestead-Miami, and a burgeoning Cup Series career that would eventually see him become the 200th winner in the series by 2022, Briscoe seemed to have a bright future. But in 2019, his sophomore year in the Xfinity Series, his journey hit a snag.
After a season that showcased his potential but fell short of expectations, Briscoe anticipated that 2020 would be his breakout year. Instead, he got a chilling phone call from Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) in December.
“SHR calls me and says, ‘Don’t know how to tell you this, but if you don’t find any amount of funding at all, like in the next week… you’re not gonna be back here next year,’” Briscoe revealed on the Dinner with Racers podcast.
Without sponsorship, Briscoe’s career was on life support. Time was running out, and with no immediate leads, his NASCAR dream seemed all but over.
A Twist of Fate in Las Vegas
Sometimes, salvation comes from the most unexpected places. In this case, it began with a chance meeting outside a Las Vegas restaurant. Briscoe’s father, wearing a hat emblazoned with Chase’s Xfinity car number, 98, walked out of a restaurant and crossed paths with a man who had just exited Buffalo Wild Wings.
The man, a Stewart-Haas fan, struck up a conversation after recognizing the number on the hat. After Briscoe’s father introduced himself, the fan expressed his admiration for the young driver and his values. He handed over his business card, saying, “If he ever needs help in the business room or the boardroom, here’s my card.”
As it turned out, this wasn’t just any fan—he was the CEO of Highpoint.com, a company that would become pivotal in Briscoe’s survival in NASCAR.
An Unlikely Lifeline
When Briscoe’s father relayed the story and sent him a picture of the CEO’s business card, Chase immediately forwarded it to SHR. With just a week left to secure funding, it was a long shot, but it was better than nothing.
Briscoe recounted the serendipitous timing: “Literally, my career is over. My dad happens to be walking out of this restaurant and turns right. The CEO walks out of Buffalo Wild Wings and turns left.”
But just when it seemed like this stroke of luck might save the day, Briscoe hinted there was a twist.
A Twist Worth the Wait
While Briscoe didn’t reveal the full details of the “plot twist” during his podcast appearance, what’s clear is that the connection to Highpoint.com ultimately became the lifeline he desperately needed. Highpoint would go on to sponsor Briscoe’s Xfinity efforts, enabling him to remain with SHR and continue racing at a high level.
That lifeline proved invaluable. By 2020, Briscoe won a remarkable nine races in the Xfinity Series, cementing his status as one of NASCAR’s brightest talents. It wasn’t just a comeback; it was a statement that his career was far from over.
Chasing the Future
Looking back, Briscoe’s journey serves as a testament to perseverance and the power of fate. In a sport where sponsorship dollars often outweigh raw talent, Briscoe’s story is a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one chance meeting to change everything.
Now, as a staple in NASCAR’s Cup Series and a fan favorite, Briscoe continues to chase victory lane, fueled by the support of those who believed in him during his darkest hour.
