Chase Briscoe Becomes 200th Cup Winner in Phoenix

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR

Chase Briscoe Earns First Career Cup Series Win at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. – NASCAR history was made at Phoenix Raceway, as Chase Briscoe is the 200th different race Cup Series race winner. Briscoe’s first Cup win comes in the 40th career start for the 2021 Rookie of the Year. After a series of late battles against many hungry drivers, the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 ends up in victory lane. Briscoe had to outlast a late restart over two others also going for their maiden win.

William Byron picked up the Stage 1 win, after taking the lead late. Ryan Blaney would also dominate much of Stage 2, taking that win. Not far behind at either green-and-white checkered flag though would be the 14 of Briscoe.

A prerace favorite would cut a tire and crash just inside of 100 laps to go. Out of turn two, Martin Truex Jr. lost a right front tire, pounding both walls.

This caution and ensuing restart would give Chase Briscoe the top spot over Chase Elliott. Briscoe drove off from Elliott, holding the lead over the 2020 Cup champion. The 14 fought off the 9 lap after lap, until a caution flew again with 26 to go. Erik Jones made wall contact, bringing out a late yellow for the second-straight week.

On pit road, Briscoe’s crew retained the top spot for the 14, while Elliott’s team faltered. The 9 lost multiple spots, only to bring out another late caution by spinning. With only scuff tires available, none of the leaders chose to pit under this last caution.

On the restart with three to go, Briscoe had to ward off a hungry Tyler Reddick and Ross Chastain. All three drivers were going for their first Cup Series win, trying to also become the 200th winner. The 14 got a jump over all of them, holding off every charge and earning the victory.

“That’s unbelievable,” Briscoe said of becoming the 200th Cup Series winner. “I was crying the whole last lap. This is definitely a team win. I got to thank everyone that has gotten me to this point. Seven years ago, I was sleeping on couching, ready to give up. They gave me an opportunity and it’s led to this. I am so blessed to be driving at the organization, the team, the car that was my hero growing up. To get this 14 back in Victory Lane, to do it with Mahindra Tractors, their first year in the sport, everybody that’s believed in me. It’s unbelievable.”

“Those restarts, I mean, we were sliding, everything else. I hope the race fans enjoyed the race. It was unbelievable from my point. Thank you, guys, for coming out. We missed you the last two years with COVID and everything else. So thankful to have guys back. Without you guys, we don’t have a sport, don’t get to race, do what we do for a living. I wish my wife and baby were here. Definitely special and one that’s going to be remembered forever.”

Briscoe is the fourth different Cup Series winner this season through four weeks. He is also the second driver to record a first career victory this year, joining Austin Cindric.

Top 10 finishers behind Briscoe were Chastain, Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, and Chris Buescher.

The Cup Series will be back in action next Sunday from Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 will be the debut of the all-new Atlanta surface. Coverage begins Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. With a brand new track surface, could we see another new winner in Atlanta?

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images for NASCAR