Compared to some other recent NASCAR frontrunners, it’s been a rather lengthy climb for Chase Briscoe, who’s 30 years old and the father of three — with the back-tracking hairline to prove it, by the way.
But for many, he’s considered younger since we’ve only recently become familiar with him.
He’s from just outside Indianapolis (Mitchell, population: 4,000, give or take) so naturally grew up in and around racing. His dad Kevin raced sprint-cars.
Chase got his first break with national exposure in 2016 when ARCA team owner Briggs Cunningham hired him. Briscoe won six races that year, moved up to NASCAR’s Trucks and then the Xfinity Series, where, in 2020, he demanded everyone’s attention with nine wins for Stewart-Haas Racing.
SHR moved him into a Cup ride in 2021, and for four years, he mixed in just enough decency, and a couple of wins, to remain relevant and therefore handed the keys to Martin Truex’s No. 19 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing. After a sluggish start to this season, he began piling up top-10s and top-5s, along with a win at Pocono and now, a second win to start the playoffs at Darlington.
And now to reap the real rewards.
Not sure how goal-oriented Chase Briscoe may be, and if he is, we’re not sure where this ranks on his list (some things are better left un-asked, you know). Whatever, NASCAR’s longtime “Other Chase” is now officially “The Chase,” and for the first time in his budding career, he tops our weekly driver rankings.
Judging from recent history, however, don’t get comfy, Chase. There’s a Chaise/Chase Lounge joke here somewhere, but I digress.
Chase Briscoe goes BACK-TO-BACK in the Southern 500 at Darlington! 🏁🏁
He kicks off the #NASCAR Playoffs on a winning note! pic.twitter.com/LWRaD51h0h
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) September 1, 2025
1. Chase Briscoe
His stock price is on an upward path as he’s had few bad weeks since the spring.
2. Ryan Blaney
Darlington interrupted his good streak, as Darlington tends to do.
3. Denny Hamlin
These days, he keeps his Sunday best hanging alongside his driver uniform. Court dates looming.
Denny Hamlin briefly entertained questions about Thursday’s hearing in 23XI/FRM’s lawsuit against NASCAR and what was shared in court, including the matter of whether or not the legal proceedings are a good thing for the sport.
“One thing’s for sure is 2026 will be better.” pic.twitter.com/HgKuIjogxr
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) August 30, 2025
4. Kyle Larson
Will he find the 8th cylinder? Would like to rank him lower, but there’s a lot of meh out there right now.
5. Bubba Wallace
Worked hard for that 6th-place finish at Darlington.
This close 🤏 at the end but huge points day for both the No. 23 and No. 45 teams@TylerReddick – P2@BubbaWallace – P6@rileyherbst – P28#teamtoyotapic.twitter.com/u8ohEZGru5
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) September 1, 2025
6. William Byron
Team Hendrick was miserable at Darlington and now goes to a similarly shaped track at St. Louis.
7. Ross Chastain
Trending toward decency since slogging through much of summer.
8. Christopher Bell
Sluggish summer continues for a guy who won three straight a long, long time ago.
9. Alex Bowman
Got air-hosed at Darlington. Needs to shake off the mini-slump, and soon!
Hendrick Motorsports had NO cars finish in the top-10 at Darlington. This happened 4 other times since they expanded to 4 cars in 2002: 2019, 2017, 2011, 2003 Spring
Elliott got 17th, Larson 19th, Byron 21st, Bowman 31st in the 2025 Southern 500 — their worst result. #NASCAR
— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) September 1, 2025
10. Chase Elliott
What a time to slump. Probably shouldn’t be in our top 10, but options are limited.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR Power Rankings and Chase Briscoe: Has he finally done it?
Read the full article here