Chase Briscoe Reveals How He Blindsided Tony Stewart After Stewart Haas Racing Announced It’s End

Chase Briscoe’s life just did a 360, and he is definitely on Cloud 9 right now. But this has not been the case for the past few months. As Tony Stewart decided to shut SHR down, uncertainty about Briscoe’s future loomed large, and a ‘no owner’ situation was what he struggled with. In fact, he, as a team member, was in such a gloom that he had to go to Reddit forums to find his answers regarding the developments happening with the team. Imagine a NASCAR driver feeling that way!

Now, it looks like things have certainly turned around for the better. It only took him a week to completely change his circumstances. This time, Chase Briscoe made a complete 180, as he’s the one who blindsided Tony Stewart!

How did the No. 14 Ford driver catch Tony Stewart off guard?

Tony Stewart being absent from his team, the rumors spiraling about charters to be sold, and the emptying seats of sponsors all hinted at Chase Briscoe that something was cooking behind the scenes. But he wasn’t allowed to approach other teams then. But in the conference room, when Stewart announced the news, Briscoe, like the other three drivers, started contacting people from the room itself! Because who would afford to not have a seat in the upcoming year?

Chase Briscoe has just started doing well, and he also has a growing family with twins coming on the way. So slacking off was definitely not on the cards. Then rumors started floating about him joining Front Row Motorsports or the Wood Brothers. But after a quick tip from Christopher Bell that Martin Truex Jr might be quitting, Briscoe didn’t waste time and reached out to the JGR representatives.

And well, what do you know? Within a week, he had already signed a contract. This move completely blindsided Tony Stewart because he never expected this leap that Briscoe took. And Briscoe himself shared Tony’s reaction.

Speaking with NASCAR, Chase Briscoe recalled the conversation he had with Tony Stewart. He said, “So I had called him, and at the end of the conversation, he said, ‘If there’s anything I can ever do for you as far as calling people or anything, just don’t hesitate, let me know.’ I said, ‘Well, you actually don’t have to. I signed something yesterday.’ And he goes, ‘Oh, the Front Row deal?’ And I said, ‘No, not the Front Row deal.’ He said, ‘Oh, Wood Brothers?’ I said, ‘No, not Wood Brothers.’ He said, ‘What is it then?’ I said, I’m going to JGR to drive the 19.” 

Briscoe actually did what Tony Stewart had done, only slightly differently. While Tony Stewart went from JGR to SHR, he jumped from SHR to JGR!

And for sure, for Briscoe, the road ahead looks exciting, with him taking the jump to one of the most esteemed teams in NASCAR. But with such a leap comes pressure and expectations. And it seems like JGR surely has high expectations of him.

Chase Briscoe has high expectations as he heads into the 2025 season

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Until a few weeks ago, JGR didn’t even think they could sign Briscoe to fill in for Martin Truex Jr. Recently, JGR president, Dave Alpern, said, “He was not on our list because he was under contract next year.” But when the announcement came through, the team moved ahead with the deal pretty quickly, and they had high expectations from this partnership.

James Small, Martin Truex Jr’s crew chief, is going to stay and work with Chase Briscoe. He had a sit-down chat with him recently to get to know him personally. And, he certainly has big expectations from Briscoe—and he surely didn’t mince his words.

James Small told FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass, “Chase [Briscoe] has to prove himself. He has been in a car that has not been that great. Now he is stepping into one of the most coveted rides in NASCAR. I really believe after sitting down and talking to him that he is ready to do what it takes to win. I think we can come out and win.”

Moreover, Alpern had mentioned to SiriusXM that their choosing Briscoe over someone from the Xfinity series or Ty Gibbs was surely out of experience. They wanted someone to come in who already had more than three years of experience, so they could start winning from the get-go. And James Small’s testament reflects what Alpern previously said.

Sure, Tony Stewart didn’t see that coming; one of his lads was eyeing and making it to the big guns in NASCAR! Well, we wish Chase Briscoe much luck with Coach Gibbs and his team. Briscoe indeed has a lot riding on his shoulders for the upcoming season. Do you think he can stand tall for all that’s expected of him? Let us know in the comments.