"All four of us competing for the same job" - Chase Briscoe reveals tense environment inside SHR after Tony Stewart NASCAR exit
Chase Briscoe recently discussed the current dynamics in the Stewart-Haas Racing shed. Briscoe and the three other SHR drivers' futures are in limbo after the team's owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas announced that they would be exiting the NASCAR Cup Series after the 2024 season.
Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Noah Gragson and Ryan Preece will all be free agents after the end of the ongoing season and have an uncertain future as the 2025 season draws near. The 29-year-old Briscoe would be on the lookout for a new team for the first time since his Cup Series debut for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2021.
In a recent interview, Briscoe was asked about his and his teammates' "unique position," where they are competing for a ride in the Cup Series even as the current season progresses. Briscoe said,
"Up till the announcement, we've worked so well together and really tried to bounce things off of each other and just try to help each other out. And I think we still are doing that, but I would say, at the same time we all know what's happening.
Like we're all four of us are competing for the same jobs. And so I think we still want to help each other out, but it's definitely probably became - not cutthroat, but like, we just, we all know." [00:38]
The 29-year-old also claimed that his teammates would potentially be competing for the same rides as him to keep their own places in the Cup Series, all four going to be dispersed soon.
"Like we know that one of us is potentially going to get left out or right or two of us or whatever. And we know that we're competing against those guys we get out for our livelihood now. So it has changed the dynamic, I think a little bit," Briscoe added.
Potential spots for Chase Briscoe in the 2025 Cup Series season
The former ARCA Menards Series champion, Chase Briscoe with an uncertain future is looking for a new home post the 2024 season. According to a report by Bob Pockrass, the SHR drivers are now in the free-agent market, and there are a few potential teams that could be a landing spot for the #14 Ford driver.
Joe Gibbs Racing is looking for a replacement for their current #19 driver, Martin Truex Jr., who has been on a one-year extension with the Toyota team. Truex Jr. is still undecided about his plans post the 2024 season. Chase Briscoe would become the top choice if Truex Jr. decides to finally hang up his helmet.
Briscoe could also potentially replace the current #21 Ford driver, Harrison Burton. As Burton is struggling with his performance in the Cup Series, one of the oldest teams in NASCAR could field a #14 Ford's Briscoe in the 2025 season.
After FRM broke the news that they would field a third charter from the 2025 Cup Series season onwards, their veteran driver Michale McDowell also announced that he'd be bidding adieu. Two spots are yet to be filled by the Bob Jenkins-led FRM for the upcoming season, therefore. As per reports, Jenkins was at SHR a while ago to look for potential employees to hire for his newly formed three-car charter.