LIVE REPORT: The Remarkable Journey of Chase Briscoe – From Caruieer Crossrloads to NASCAR’s Pinnacle
In the fast-moving world of NASCAR, fortunes can shift in an instant. For Chase Briscoe, 2019 marked a pivotal year when his promising racing career teetered on the edge of collapse. Despite his growing reputation on the track, a lack of sponsorship threatened to end his dreams. However, a chance encounter in Las Vegas would become the turning point in Briscoe’s journey, proving once again that destiny works in mysterious ways.
2019: The Year of Uncertainty
Having already achieved victories in the Xfinity Series and Truck Series, Briscoe’s sophomore season in 2019 had flashes of brilliance, but as the year closed, he faced devastating news from his team, Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR).
Briscoe revealed on the Dinner with Racers podcast, “SHR calls me and says, ‘If you don’t find any amount of funding at all in the next week… you’re not gonna be back here next year.’” With no sponsorship in sight, Briscoe’s future looked bleak.
A Fan Changes Everything
At this critical juncture, an extraordinary twist of fate intervened. Briscoe’s father, while in Las Vegas, crossed paths with a fan wearing a #98 hat—the number of Briscoe’s Xfinity car. The fan turned out to be none other than Mike Mendiburu, CEO of HighPoint.com.
Briscoe recounted, “My dad introduced himself… the guy said, ‘I really appreciate how you raised your son. If he ever needs help in the business room or boardroom, here’s my card.’” This small interaction would become the lifeline Briscoe desperately needed.
HighPoint Steps In – After Some Convincing
With Mendiburu’s business card in hand, Briscoe passed it along to SHR. The initial response wasn’t promising. Mendiburu reportedly told SHR, “I’m telling you right now, I’m not sponsoring a race car.” Yet, SHR persisted, explaining the dire stakes: “Pretty much, if you don’t do anything, Chase’s career is over.”
Mendiburu had a change of heart, stating, “I have no idea why I’m doing this, but it seems like the Lord’s calling me to do it. Alright, I’m gonna do it.” The partnership with HighPoint not only saved Briscoe’s career but propelled him to a standout 2020 Xfinity season, where he won nine races despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Briscoe’s Rise and Transition to Joe Gibbs Racing
By 2021, Briscoe’s success earned him a promotion to the Cup Series, where he became the Sunoco Rookie of the Year. In 2022, he made history by becoming NASCAR’s 200th Cup Series winner. However, the end of 2024 brought new challenges as SHR shut down due to financial difficulties.
In a testament to his talent, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) stepped in, signing Briscoe to replace the retiring Martin Truex Jr. in the #19 car. He now joins an elite roster alongside Christopher Bell (#20), Denny Hamlin (#11), and Ty Gibbs (#54).
2025: A New Challenge with JGR
As Briscoe prepares for the upcoming season, the weight of expectations looms large. “This is probably the most pressure I’ve ever been under in my life, professionally,” Briscoe admitted. “At JGR, there’s no excuses—you have to perform.”
In 2024, Briscoe gave SHR a memorable send-off by winning at Darlington, securing a postseason spot in their final season. Though his playoff run fell short, it demonstrated his resilience and hunger to succeed.
Now, as he steps into the #19 car for JGR, the question remains: Can Briscoe rise to the challenge and establish himself among NASCAR’s elite?
What are your expectations for Chase Briscoe in 2025? 2025?**
