In a dramatic, pressure-packed conclusion at Pocono Raceway, Chase Briscoe secured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season and his first as a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). The win in The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VisitPA.com on Sunday, June 22, 2025, wasn’t just a milestone – it was a fuel-saving masterpiece that saw Briscoe hold off his veteran teammate, Denny Hamlin, to clinch a coveted spot in the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs.
This victory marks the third career Cup Series win for the 30-year-old Indiana native and makes him the 11th different driver to earn a win and secure a Playoff berth this season.
Fuel Strategy: The Winning Formula
Briscoe’s path to Victory Lane was anything but conventional and hinged entirely on a daring and difficult fuel strategy in the closing laps. After leading a race-high 72 of 160 laps, the team faced a critical moment. A pit road miscue saw Briscoe leave his stall before the fuel fill was complete, leaving the No. 19 Toyota initially short of making it to the end.
However, fate intervened with a caution flag on Lap 125 for a spun car (Shane van Gisbergen), providing the crucial opportunity Briscoe needed. Tasked by crew chief James Small with stretching fuel over the final 30+ laps, Briscoe had to perform a delicate balancing act: maintaining the lead while expertly managing throttle control to conserve every drop of fuel. He held off the field, ultimately crossing the finish line just 0.682 seconds ahead of Hamlin.
Holding Off a Pocono Legend
The pressure was immense, especially with seven-time Pocono winner Denny Hamlin directly in his rearview mirror. Hamlin, returning to competition after missing a race for the birth of his son, showcased his mastery of the 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle.” Starting from pole, Hamlin won Stage 1 and led 32 laps. Despite a strong car and strategy, Hamlin acknowledged that pitting just before the critical Lap 125 caution disadvantaged him compared to those who pitted earlier, making it difficult to regain the lead on track. His runner-up finish marked his 10th top-two result in 36 starts at Pocono.
Briscoe openly admitted the challenge of leading under such circumstances, especially with a competitor as formidable as Hamlin pushing him. “There was a lot [of pressure],” Briscoe said. “It was kind of weird. I wasn’t driving hard, so it’s not like I was on the ragged edge, but it was just so hard having a guy chasing you… trying to save fuel and everything else.” He also expressed relief, stating, “To finally deliver a win is such an awesome feeling… such a big weight off my shoulders. I’ve been telling my wife the last few weeks, I have to win.” He added gratitude for delivering for JGR, acknowledging he felt he “wasn’t everybody’s first choice” for the ride.
Beyond the Top Two
Rounding out the podium was Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney in third. Blaney’s finish was particularly impressive given the adversity he faced, including starting from the rear of the field, dealing with a non-functioning cool suit for over 100 laps in the heat, and overcoming a pit road speeding penalty early in the race.
Chris Buescher finished fourth, his second consecutive strong run at Pocono, while Chase Elliott secured his second straight top-five finish in fifth. The remainder of the top 10 included John Hunter Nemechek (6th), Kyle Larson (7th), Ryan Preece (8th), Brad Keselowski (9th), and Austin Cindric (10th).
Race Incidents Add Drama
The race wasn’t without its significant incidents. Notably, several teams experienced concerning right front brake rotor failures, leading to crashes and retirements for Riley Herbst, Bubba Wallace, and Michael McDowell, highlighting a technical challenge for some competitors. An earlier multi-car incident on Lap 83 saw Kyle Busch spin in front of traffic after contact, collecting other cars like Christopher Bell and Shane van Gisbergen, though most were able to continue.
Playoff Picture Shifts
With Briscoe now locked into the Playoffs, the battle for the remaining spots intensifies with just nine races left in the regular season. His win moves him squarely into the championship conversation. The tight points battle continues, with Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron maintaining his points lead (54 points over teammate Kyle Larson) despite finishing 27th after a qualifying accident. The playoff bubble tightened further, with drivers like Alex Bowman, Ryan Preece, AJ Allmendinger, Erik Jones, and Kyle Busch currently below the cutline.
Looking Ahead to Atlanta
The NASCAR Cup Series schedule continues next week with a Saturday night race at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway). This event also marks the start of the In-Season Challenge. Race coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on TNT Sports/truTV, HBO Max, PRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell won the earlier race at Atlanta this season, while Joey Logano is the defending winner of the summer event.
