Kevin Harvick Exposes the ‘Intriguing’ Part About Chase Briscoe’s Evolution as a Racer

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season marked the Joe Gibbs Racing debut of Chase Briscoe, who replaced Martin Truex Jr. in the iconic No:19 Toyota. He proves Joe Gibbs was right invest in him, by winning three races, earning most top 5 finishes of the year, being the points leader and earning a spot in the championship-4 last Sunday with a win at Talladega.

Chase Briscoe joined veteran teammate Denny Hamlin in the championship chase, giving JGR better odds at winning their first championship since 2019. The impressive performance from the former Xfinity Series champions so far this season from the driver has left his ex-SHR teammate Kevin Harvick impressed.

In the latest episode of the Happy Hour podcast, the 2014 Cup Series champion shared his thoughts on Briscoe’ evolution as a racer. He is intrigued and impressed with the fact that he evolved as a racer with a mind-set that the JGR season would’ve been his last big chance in the top-tier if he failed to deliver.

The part that intrigues me is how he started to where he is, and being able to evolve with that mindset, going from surviving knowing that if I don’t make this work, I’m not going to get another job again, to I’m a winner now, to now I’m consistent top-five contender and can win every week.

Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour podcast.

Further talking about the point, the ex-RCR driver pointed out that the evolution of the has just began and the experience they have gained this season, regardless of the final result at Phoenix race way is going to help them a lot. The different level of performance and pressure of the 2025 season is going to make them a better racer.

That mindset, that evolution and growth that they’ve had through the year, is pretty impressive. I think that now it’s going to evolve, whether they win or lose this championship at Phoenix, they’re going to get that experience. They’re going to have a full evolution of experiencing all the different levels of pressure and evolution as a team and people.

Kevin Harvick added.

Chase Briscoe got the best team of the 2025 season

It’s not just Kevin Harvick that is impressed with the ex-SHR driver, Briscoe’s crew chief James Small is also happy with the racer. The latter went through one of the worst times of his career as a crew chief in 2024 with Martin Truex Jr. and from his performance on day one, Briscoe has helped him to find redemption.

This has given Small the confidence to brad his team as the best side of the 2025 season and the ones to beat this year. He knew from day one with time his team was capable of being a force to be reckoned with and from the Kansas race weekend they have exactly been that.

I never lost belief in myself or my team, I always had the support of everybody back at JGR. I knew if we had this opportunity, it was going to take a little bit, but we were going to be a force to be reckoned with. I think you’ve seen that since Kansas (and) Charlotte. We’re consistently, in my opinion, the best team in the series.

James Small asserted.

The comments from the crew chief, who is known for not being afraid of publicly criticising his driver, is a major confidence boost for Chase Briscoe. With two more races left in the season, it would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the star driver in the coming years.

Also Read: Austin Cindric Asserts Legacy Format Won’t End Championship Credibility Debate

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW