It’s a moment many have looked forward to for the better part of this year. On October 8th, 2024, Chase Briscoe and his wife Marissa welcomed twins Cooper Banks & Collins Ivy into this world. Heading to Charlotte, the #14 driver now has a pair of extra incentives to make it out of the elimination zone, sitting dead last in the Round of 12. However, a cloud of concern has overshadowed the joyous occasion.

Recent reports suggest that it’s been a “stressful week” for Tony Stewart‘s shuttering race team’s last hope, as his wife faces unexpected health complications and has made multiple trips to the ER.

Chase Briscoe heads to the ROVAL despite wife’s health concerns

Chase Briscoe is currently 32 points below the cutline. For months, the media has established how much a strong Playoff run would mean for his family. Now that he’s a father of three, he could certainly use all the financial benefits. Considering the troubling circumstances at Stewart-Haas Racing, one could even say that Briscoe and his #14 crew have outdone themselves in making it so far into the post-season. After all, to make a championship push on a team that will shut its doors the following year is an accolade few can claim. Although it sure would be a Cinderella story for the ages if Briscoe somehow makes it happen.

Indeed, it is a concerning minute for everyone involved, especially for the #14 driver who will be eager to reunite quickly with his family after deciding his Playoff fate at the ROVAL. Fortunately, despite the concerns, the NASCAR community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that his wife and newborns are safe for now.

Now, can Chase Briscoe make it happen? As per Jeff Gluck’s recent Twitter update, it’s been “quite a stressful week for @ChaseBriscoe_14 after he and wife Marissa welcomed twins. During his media session at Charlotte, Chase said Marissa has had multiple trips to the ER this week — and is there right now.” And she’s not alone. “Chase’s mom is in the hospital parking lot with the four-day-old twins (don’t want to bring them into an ER and expose them to anything), so Marissa is having to pump milk and run it out to the parking lot where Chase’s mom is feeding the babies.”

He hopes to be with practice and qualifying quickly on Saturday to rejoin his family at the earliest. Following his pre-race press conference, Bob Pockrass provided an update for fans, sharing that “Chase Briscoe added after he got off stage that his wife Marissa in the ER at the moment isn’t life-threatening.” Regardless, all our prayers go out to the Briscoes at this time of adversity. 

With that in mind, it is important to note that there aren’t many drivers more dangerous than a motivated Chase Briscoe. Sure, he told Toby Christie that he hadn’t “been at the shop all week” in the wake of his wife’s health problems. But he also reminded everyone that it feels a lot like going into Darlington, where he won a few weeks prior and secured his berth in the Playoffs. Besides, the ROVAL is another track where the #14 driver has won before in his career. Interestingly, that was the first Xfinity Series win of his career, driving the #98 of Stewart-Haas.

However, before his fourth Xfinity win that coincidentally came at Darlington, Briscoe was face-to-face with the harshest thing a father could ever experience. And his incredible character and perseverance became evident on that emotional afternoon in May 2020.

The heart of a Hoosier champion

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Let’s make one thing clear first: this is not a comparison of either incident. Just a mere anecdote.

Back in 2020, Chase and Marissa Briscoe dealt with something that was in no way similar to their situation at the present moment. After the heartbreaking news came forth that the couple had lost their first child to a miscarriage, Chase showed incredible determination in turning up for the 2020 Toyota 200 Xfinity race at Darlington only days later. And he didn’t just turn up; the hard-charging Hoosier delivered a fitting tribute with his first-ever career win at The Lady in Black.

He beat Kyle Busch to the finish line in that race, similar to the Southern 500 a few weeks ago. But beyond all that, it only goes to show how determined Chase Briscoe can get when his back is against the wall, and he needs to make a statement. Yes, all the “stress” off-track is never a welcome scenario for any high-level sports professional, yet Briscoe is one of those people who can rise to the occasion no matter the situation.

This Sunday, he must overcome the odds once again. And with his first-ever Round of 8 spot awaiting on the horizon, it would be a fitting tribute to his ailing wife and newborn twins if he manages to win the Charlotte ROVAL.