Chase Briscoe Reflects on Runner-Up Finish at Gateway: A Tale of Speed and Sloppiness

On September 7, 2025, the World Wide Technology Raceway roared with the intensity of the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300, a race that marked a historic milestone for Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Denny Hamlin clinched his fifth victory of the season, securing Toyota’s 200th NASCAR Cup Series win, while his teammate Chase Briscoe trailed closely behind in second place. The race was a showcase of JGR’s dominance, with Briscoe’s No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE displaying blistering speed but falling just short of the top spot due to what Briscoe candidly described as “sloppiness.” This near-miss finish, coupled with Briscoe’s reflections on his performance, offers a compelling glimpse into the high-stakes world of NASCAR playoffs and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat.

The Gateway race was a pivotal moment for Briscoe, who has been a revelation in his first season with JGR after replacing the retired Martin Truex Jr. Driving the No. 19 Toyota, Briscoe has shown remarkable consistency, securing two wins, 11 top-five finishes, and six pole positions in 27 starts this season. His performance at Gateway was no exception, as he captured Stage 1 and maintained a strong presence at the front of the pack. However, despite his car’s undeniable speed, Briscoe admitted that small mistakes cost him the chance to overtake Hamlin. “I would say that our strength was our speed,” Briscoe told the media post-race. “Our weakness was just the sloppiness.” This candid admission highlights the razor-thin margins in NASCAR, where precision in execution can make or break a race.

Hamlin, the veteran JGR driver, delivered a masterclass at Gateway, navigating challenges to secure his 59th career win. Starting from the Busch Light Pole, Hamlin faced early pressure from Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, who took the lead on lap 8. The race saw its share of drama, with cautions triggered by incidents involving Josh Berry, Tyler Reddick, and others. Yet Hamlin’s strategic pit stops and overnight adjustments, as praised by Briscoe, allowed him to regain control and hold off his teammate in the final stages. Briscoe, reflecting on the race, credited his crew chief James Small for making critical adjustments that kept the No. 19 competitive. “James did an amazing job of just doing something different to kind of get us up there,” Briscoe noted, emphasizing the teamwork that has propelled JGR’s success this season.

The race wasn’t just a personal triumph for Hamlin; it was a historic moment for Toyota and JGR. Hamlin, ever the showman, addressed the booing crowd with characteristic swagger: “Y’all can boo me, but you can either get on the bandwagon or get run over by it.” His words underscored the confidence radiating from the JGR camp, which has now amassed 10 wins in 2025, a feat not accomplished since 2019. For Briscoe, finishing second behind Hamlin was bittersweet but filled with optimism. “A year ago, you would have told me I would have been disappointed with second… just today and how much speed we’ve had week in, week out has been a lot of fun,” he said, signaling his belief in the team’s championship potential.

Briscoe’s journey to JGR has been one of transformation. After Stewart-Haas Racing shuttered its operations at the end of 2024, Briscoe landed a coveted seat with JGR, a team known for its championship pedigree. The transition wasn’t seamless, as Briscoe had to adapt to a new culture of accountability. His crew chief, James Small, noted the shift: “From where he came from, there wasn’t much accountability. Nobody was holding his feet to the fire. That’s probably been a big wake-up call for him.” Briscoe embraced the challenge, incorporating simulator work into the No. 19 team’s routine—a practice absent for over three years under Truex Jr. “The 19 hadn’t done sim in 3 and a half years, and now we do probably 6 to 10 hours a week on the sim,” Briscoe revealed on the Stacking Pennies podcast, highlighting how this new approach has sharpened his performance.

The Gateway race also showcased Briscoe’s growing chemistry with Small and the No. 19 team. Hamlin, a vocal supporter of his teammate, praised their progress on his Actions Detrimental podcast: “James and Briscoe were in a good spot and were finally beginning to understand each other and their needs.” This synergy has positioned Briscoe as a legitimate contender for the NASCAR Cup Series title, with Hamlin even naming him a potential final four candidate. “I think this is a team that certainly you could look at and say, ‘It’s one of the upper echelon,’” Hamlin said, a testament to Briscoe’s rapid rise within JGR.

Despite the runner-up finish, Briscoe’s confidence remains unshaken. He pointed to upcoming tracks like Darlington and Bristol, which suit his driving style, as opportunities to capitalize on his team’s strengths. His performance at Gateway, where he led significant portions of the race, reinforces his belief that the No. 19 team can compete for wins consistently. The race also highlighted the dominance of Toyota, with six of the top seven finishers driving for the manufacturer, including Hamlin, Briscoe, and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace. This collective strength signals that the 2025 playoffs will be fiercely competitive, with JGR and Toyota poised to challenge the likes of Penske and Hendrick Motorsports.

For fans, Briscoe’s story is one of resilience and redemption. From sleeping on couches and serving as a makeshift PR assistant for teammate Christopher Bell a decade ago to contending for NASCAR’s biggest prize, Briscoe’s journey resonates deeply. His friendship with Bell, forged through iRacing and late-night couch-surfing, adds a layer of camaraderie to their rivalry as JGR teammates. “Ten years ago, I was going to CARS Tour late model races and USAC midget races, following Bell around,” Briscoe recalled. Now, as he chases the Cup Series title, that grind feels like a distant memory, replaced by the thrill of leading laps and battling for wins.

The Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway was a microcosm of Briscoe’s 2025 season: moments of brilliance tempered by minor errors that he’s determined to eliminate. His “sloppiness” comment isn’t a sign of defeat but a promise of growth. As the playoffs progress, Briscoe’s speed, coupled with JGR’s resources and his own relentless drive, makes him a driver to watch. Will he overcome those small mistakes to claim his first Cup Series championship? The answer lies in the races ahead, but one thing is clear: Chase Briscoe is no longer just a contender—he’s a force.

For the latest NASCAR updates and insights into drivers like Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin, follow the action on platforms like Sportskeeda and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The 2025 season is heating up, and every lap brings new surprises.