Chase Briscoe is about to embark on what is arguably the biggest professional challenge of his NASCAR career. The versatile driver is set to replace Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing starting in the 2025 season, a move that brings immense expectations. As Briscoe leaves Stewart-Haas Racing, he acknowledges the formidable pressure that comes with joining a team like JGR, a dominant force in the sport.
Briscoe has openly expressed his feelings about this opportunity, via NASCAR.
“I love the pressure side, but I do think this is probably the most pressure I’ve ever been [under] in my life, as far as professionally,” he said. This move is significant not just because of the team switch, but also due to the standard of performance expected at JGR, a front-runner in the NASCAR Cup Series. Briscoe further reflected on his current situation.
“It’s weird because there’s been other times where my career was literally going to be over, right? But I feel like this is one of those opportunities where if you don’t perform, like, there’s no excuses. Like, you have to perform at JGR. So from that standpoint, it is different because everywhere else, there’s really not been that expectation.”
The news of this career shift came with Stewart-Haas Racing’s impending closure at the end of the 2024 season. Briscoe, along with his teammates, have been affected by this major shake-up. His move to JGR was prompted by SHR’s decision which not only impacts the drivers but also hundreds of employees. At SHR, Briscoe recorded a number of achievements including a win at the Phoenix Raceway in 2022. However, the team’s inconsistency on-track had not yet allowed him to fully explore his potential in the Cup Series.
Now nearing 30, Briscoe is viewed as a promising talent poised for growth. His transition to JGR should unlock new opportunities to demonstrate his true capabilities, especially now that he is set to partner with James Small, Truex’s former crew chief. Small’s experience and success with Truex, including securing eight wins in their tenure, will be invaluable to Briscoe as he seeks to deliver results that meet JGR’s high expectations.
Martin Truex Jr. is set to retire after the 2024 season. A respected figure in the sport, Truex closes an impressive career with 34 Cup wins and a championship title from 2017. His departure leaves big shoes to fill, as Truex transitions into an ambassadorial role, but Briscoe is determined to live up to the challenge despite the pressure. Briscoe’s continuity with Bass Pro Shops as a sponsor helps maintain some familiarity and support despite the changes.
“SHR, where we were at as a company was totally different. We weren’t expected, really, to go win. And if you win, then awesome, right? That’s great. But you weren’t expected to go win week in, week out, where at JGR, you are expected to be up front every single weekend. So from that standpoint, it is going to be totally different than anything I’ve really had in my career. So yeah, I’ll just have to figure it out,” he said.
The post Chase Briscoe Faces Unprecedented Pressure as He Takes Over Martin Truex Jr.’s Seat appeared first on Newsweek.
