Briscoe In Good Spot Ahead Of Enjoy Illinois 300

MADISON, Ill. — Needless to say, Chase Briscoe is in a unique and enviable position entering Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

As the only driver locked in for the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Briscoe has more options than any other postseason competitor when it comes to last two races in the Round of 16 at Gateway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

The driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and crew chief James Small have considerable flexibility when it comes to strategy. If they so choose, they also can look ahead to the first race in the Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and concentrate their efforts on that event.

“For us, the biggest thing (at Darlington), probably was the Playoff points—just that we gained,” Briscoe said Saturday before NASCAR Cup Series practice at the 1.25-mile track. “I think we went from 10 to 17, so basically doubled our Playoff points for the next round.

“For us, this week and next week still, if there is a situation that arises throughout the race, say a caution comes out with five to go before a stage, all of those guys are going to have to stay out and get the points. Where, obviously, if we were leading, we would probably stay out to get the Playoff point.”

The victory at Darlington, Briscoe’s second straight in the Southern 500, is a game-changer from the driver’s perspective.

“It allows us to be really aggressive on strategy and do things opposite, so hopefully line us up better to win the race and get five Playoff points, so it definitely changes some stuff for us,” he said. “This week, we didn’t do anything on New Hampshire, but I’m sure next week we will just get a week ahead, and that’s the advantage of winning that first race in the round, for sure.”