Chase Briscoe's journey in NASCAR took a big turn when he joined Joe Gibbs Racing. The expectations were high, and the pressure was on. Briscoe knew what was at stake. "You don't make the playoffs, you don't race in this car anymore, " he was told. The standards at JGR are sky-high, and the Toyotas are top-notch. Briscoe's crew chief, James Small, noted the change. "From where he came from, there wasn't much accountability, " Small said. "That's probably been a big wake-up call for him. "

Briscoe's hard work paid off on Sunday at Pocono Raceway. He stretched his fuel to the limit and held off Denny Hamlin for his third career Cup victory and his first with JGR. This win secured his spot in the playoffs. It was a tough race, with Hamlin pushing hard to catch up. "It was just so hard to have a guy chasing you, especially the guy that's the greatest of all time here, " Briscoe said. Hamlin, with seven wins at Pocono, came close but fell short by 0. 682 seconds.

Briscoe's win was not just personal; it was a team effort. He joined Hamlin and Bell in the playoff field, making Gibbs proud. "It's definitely more work but it's because they're at such a high level, " Briscoe said. The pressure is on, but Briscoe is ready. He has been on a hot streak, with four top-10 finishes in his last six races. His win at Pocono was his third career Cup victory and his first since Darlington in 2024.

The race was delayed by rain, but Briscoe led 72 laps and won the second stage. He even joked about not making it to the NBA Finals, but he was happy with his ride to victory lane. The race was clean, with no major incidents. Carson Hocevar made a clean pass, and feuding drivers raced in peace. There was a minor scare on pit road, but no one was seriously hurt. Brake issues spoiled the races of Bubba Wallace, Michael McDowell, and Riley Herbst, but the focus was on Briscoe's big win.

Chase Briscoe's Big Win at Pocono Raceway

In the thrilling Daytona Coke Zero Sugar 400, Harrison Burton clinched a surprising victory, snatching the win from Kyle Busch. Burton, who was recently let go by Wood Brothers Racing, secured his first Cup Series win, marking the team's 100th victory since its inception. This win guarantees Burton a spot in the playoffs, providing him with the security of finishing in the top 16 and earning millions of dollars for the team. 

Denny Hamlin, however, has expressed his concerns about the impact of Burton's win on the NASCAR playoff format. Hamlin believes that the current system, which allows drivers like Burton to enter the playoffs after a single win, is unfair and favors those who can capitalize on a single big moment over consistent performers. Hamlin's frustration stems from the fact that Burton's win significantly boosted the Wood Brothers Racing team's financial standing, jumping from a probable last-place finish to a guaranteed top 16 spot. While Hamlin acknowledges Burton's skill and effort, he feels that the playoff format should reward steady performance throughout the season. 

Despite Hamlin's concerns, he understands that the 'win-and-you're-in' approach adds excitement to the sport. However, he believes that it can sometimes feel unjust to drivers and teams who have performed well consistently but miss out due to the format. Hamlin's comments come as his own team, 23XI Racing, faces challenges. Bubba Wallace, one of the team's drivers, is in the drop zone, -21 points from the cutoff, and has yet to secure a win to enter the playoffs. 

Despite the potential negative impact on his team, Hamlin remains positive about the Wood Brothers Racing win, acknowledging the historical significance of their 100th victory. He also appreciates the added unpredictability that Burton's win brings to the playoffs, making him a championship contender in his final season with the team. 

As the NASCAR community reflects on Burton's win and its implications, fans are left to wonder if Bubba Wallace will secure a win at Darlington and make his way into the way into the playoffs. way into the playoffs. into the playoffs.

DARLINGTON

Chase Briscoe's Big Win at Pocono Raceway

Denny Hamlin's Frustration: How Harrison Burton's Win Exposes NASCAR's Playoff Flaws