Chase Briscoe Clinches Pocono Victory with Masterful Fuel Strategy
In a dramatic finish at Pocono Raceway on June 22, Chase Briscoe expertly managed his fuel to hold off teammate Denny Hamlin and capture his first NASCAR Cup Series win of the season. The victory, his third career Cup triumph and first since joining Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), automatically locks the driver of the No. 19 Toyota into the 2025 NASCAR playoffs.
The crucial gamble unfolded over the final laps of The Great American Getaway 400 on the “Tricky Triangle.” Briscoe made his final pit stop on Lap 119 of 160, a strategic decision that required stretching his fuel tank for 41 grueling laps. Despite initial concerns from crew chief James Small about the fuel fill, Briscoe executed flawlessly, saving enough fuel to cross the finish line just 0.682 seconds ahead of Hamlin.
Hamlin, a record seven-time winner at the 2.5-mile Long Pond, Pennsylvania track, pitted one lap later on Lap 120 and took on more fuel, a move intended to ensure he had enough to race hard to the end. However, this strategy ultimately left him unable to mount a final charge against Briscoe’s fuel-saving pace.
An Emotional Win for Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing
For Chase Briscoe, the win was a moment of immense relief and validation. After joining Joe Gibbs Racing this season, he acknowledged the pressure to perform, especially with a team that “took a big chance” on him, admitting he “wasn’t everybody’s first choice.”
“It was so hard having a guy chasing you, probably the guy that’s the greatest of all time here [at Pocono], trying to save fuel,” Briscoe commented after the race. He reflected on the team’s execution, calling it “really the first race we’ve kind of executed truthfully all year long.” He also touched on overcoming past tendencies: “Anybody that has worked with me knows I’m normally overdriving… My dad tells me all the time, ‘Slow down, you’ll probably go faster.’ It’s true there.” Delivering the win for “Coach” Joe Gibbs felt incredibly rewarding, marking a “big weight off my shoulders” after feeling pressure to win in recent weeks.
Briscoe was a strong contender throughout the event, leading a race-high 72 laps and claiming the victory in Stage 2. Hamlin also showed significant strength, leading 34 laps and winning Stage 1.
Race Details and Top Finishers
The 400-mile race, delayed by over two hours due to rain, eventually started under perfect weather conditions. The final 30 laps ran uninterrupted under a green flag, setting the stage for the fuel mileage showdown.
Behind Briscoe and Hamlin, the top five finishers were Ryan Blaney in third, followed by Chris Buescher (who finished 4th despite a 5-point penalty earlier in the season), and Chase Elliott in fifth.
Rounding out the top 10 were John Hunter Nemechek, Kyle Larson, Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski, and Austin Cindric.
Challenges for 23XI Racing
While JGR celebrated a 1-2 finish, it was a difficult day for the 23XI Racing team, co-owned by Denny Hamlin. Both Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst finished in the final two positions (36th and 37th) after suffering identical brake problems that led to tire failures and contact with the wall. Wallace’s incident, occurring in Stage 2, was particularly detrimental to his playoff aspirations, as he entered Pocono just above the cutline. His 36th-place finish delivered a significant blow to his points buffer. Teammate Tyler Reddick also faced mechanical issues before the end of Stage 2, falling multiple laps down.
Playoff Picture Takes Shape
Briscoe’s strategic win makes him the 11th different driver to secure a victory in the 2025 season, adding his name to the list of drivers who have likely locked themselves into the playoffs. William Byron continues to lead the regular-season points standings, while the battle around the playoff cutline remains tight, with drivers like Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, and Ryan Preece fighting for positions based on points.
What’s Next
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway, now known as EchoPark Speedway, for the next event on Saturday, June 28, airing at 7 p.m. ET. The race will also mark the start of the In-Season Challenge.
