Chase Briscoe had no right to win that one. When the 2025 YellaWood 500 went into overtime, both the Hendrick cars belonging to Kyle Larson and William Byron were up top, looking likely to cross the finish line with a 1-2. But the grid reshuffled dramatically in mere seconds, with the No. 19 Toyota, aided by teammate Ty Gibbs, securing his first superspeedway triumph. The win was an emotional one, and the 30-year-old didn’t fail to give credit where it was due afterwards.

While some give credit to their teammates and others praise their equipment, Briscoe’s gratitude was fairly straightforward. He went on to thank the almighty for his “blessings“, now that a spot in the Championship 4 is assured in his rookie season.

Chase Briscoe acknowledges his teammate’s role

Chase Briscoe’s career has taken a complete U-turn. From losing his seat at Stewart-Haas Racing when the team shut down operations last year, to a shot at winning the Bill France Cup at Phoenix Raceway, it’s been a real turnaround. And the Indiana-native couldn’t help but show gratitude in the post-race interview, saying, “Anyways, thank you guys so much! It’s an unbelievable atmosphere. I cannot believe I won here. So thankful that the lord’s blessed me, opening doors and even closing doors at times, but certainly opened an incredible door here for Joe Gibbs Racing.”

His triumph was nothing less than a masterclass in perseverance. After a mid-race pit road penalty dropped him deep in the field, Briscoe stayed cool, biding his time until NASCAR Overtime’s two-lap sprint. From sixth, with a shove from teammate Ty Gibbs, his No. 19 Toyota sliced through chaos, dodging a multi-car wreck to edge Todd Gilliland by 0.145 seconds for his first superspeedway win and a Championship 4 berth. The race, with a season-high 77 lead changes among 27 drivers, was a drafting dance of pure pandemonium.

Briscoe’s calm in the storm, paired with JGR’s teamwork, punched his ticket to Phoenix, a testament to grit and growth. Post-race, Briscoe let it all hang out, his words dripping with relief and reverence for the wild ride that got him there. Chase Briscoe gave credit where it’s due in Victory Lane, saying, “Ty Gibbs, just the incredible teammate there. I mean, I honestly would not have won that race without Ty, so it’s an amazing team effort. I can’t believe I won at a superspeedway race. I haven’t done it at any level.”

Gibbs’ push was the jet fuel, keeping Briscoe’s No. 19 in the draft’s sweet spot through Stage 2 and into Overtime’s knife-edge finish. His third win of 2025, and first on a plate track, flipped the script on a career that’s never tasted ‘Dega’s draft before, a Joe Gibbs Racing jolt that landed him in the final four.

The race featured 77 lead changes, a record in the 2025 season. Afterwards, he acknowledged just how tense the situation got, saying, “Normally I am scared to death, nervous around this place, but I am at such peace that we’re going to see the finish and he was going to use it for his glory.” Talladega’s terror, Stage 1’s wreck-fest, the penalty plunge, didn’t faze him.

However, that composure helped him navigate through the final-lap carnage, thanks to Gibbs’ support role. But Chase Briscoe’s brilliance at Talladega casts a stark shadow on Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske, both left empty-handed as the Championship 4 looms without a single driver from either powerhouse.

Hendrick and Penske’s playoff pain

Hendrick’s hopes got hammered early, Chase Elliott’s Stage 1 crash, a multi-car mess, tanked his run, resulting in a 40th-place finish, which will affect his playoff hopes. William Byron’s win-heavy season fizzled under playoff pressure, while Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman hit hurdles too, leaving Hendrick’s banner blank for the first time in ages.

Team Penske’s playoff pulse flatlined, too. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 champ, rolled in 31 points shy, his ‘Dega dazzle dulled by a deficit too deep. Joey Logano, with three plate-track trophies, couldn’t crack the code either; his 24-point gap became too big a gulf.

Both teams, titans of recent title runs, run the risk of missing out on the Championship 4. The chaos at Talladega, which Briscoe thrived in, got the best of both teams, as they simply couldn’t capitalize on the chances despite the many lead changes. It’s a reminder that the superspeedway can get the best of all-time greats, and with Chase Briscoe locked into the finale, the giants will regroup one last time to salvage their season at Martinsville.