NASCAR News: Briscoe wins ‘Stroker Ace’ Cup race at Pocono

In a fuel mileage ‘Stroker Ace’ nail-biter for the final 30 laps of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway, Chase Briscoe held off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin to score his first win of the 2025 season — locking into the postseason.

It’s the third career victory for the No. 19 Toyota driver and Indiana native and first for JGR in his first season with the team.

Hamlin finished second after leading 32 laps and taking the Stage 1 checkered flag — the sixth time in nine Pocono races the No. 11 driver has finished first or second at the 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle.”

Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five behind Briscoe.

John Hunter Nemechek, Kyle Larson, Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski and Austin Cindric completed the top 10.

Chase Briscoe

Chase, what was going through your mind saving fuel, holding off your teammate, Denny Hamlin? What pressure was that behind the wheel?

CHASE BRISCOE: It was a lot. It was kind of weird. I wasn’t driving hard. It’s not like I was on the ragged edge. It was so hard to have a guy chasing you, right, probably the guy that’s the greatest of all time here. Trying to save fuel and everything else.

Thank you to all you race fans. It’s sold out every single time we come here. Unbelievable racing in front of a sold-out crowd. Amazing day for our race team. Really the first race we’ve kind of executed truthfully all year long. To get Bass Pro Shops, Johnny Morris, in Victory Lane, to get Toyota in Victory Lane.

Joe Gibbs Racing took a big chance on me. Like, I wasn’t everybody’s first choice I think. Yeah, but for me to be able to get here and finally deliver a win is just an awesome feeling.

Most disciplined stint you every drove in your career?

CHASE BRISCOE: Anybody that has worked with me knows I’m normally overdriving, missing my marks all the time. Yeah, for sure. It’s crazy when you slow down. My dad tells me all the time, Slow down, you’ll probably go faster. It’s true there.

Amazing day. Just want to say hi to Marissa, Brooks, Cooper, Collins. Wish they were here to celebrate this. It’s an amazing day. Once again, thank you to you all you race fans.

How gratifying is it to add your name to the list of drivers that have won a Cup Series race for Joe Gibbs Racing?

CHASE BRISCOE: It’s huge. I literally grew up racing my sprint car video game in a Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot uniform. To get Coach in Victory Lane after, like I said, them taking a chance on me, it’s so rewarding truthfully. Just a big weight off my shoulders. I’ve been telling my wife the last two weeks, I have to win. To finally come here and do it, it has been a great day.

2025 Great American Getaway 400 Race Results