Chase Briscoe "confident" for NASCAR Cup playoffs despite unwanted Daytona finish

Chase Briscoe is feeling "confident" for the playoffs despite admitting that it will be an "uphill battle".

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver didn't get the result he wanted in the NASCAR Cup regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway after crossing the line to finish 23rd. Fortunately, he had already secured his spot in the playoffs after winning the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway.

Briscoe made his first Cup playoff appearance in 2022 with the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing team and continued through to the playoffs for a second time in 2024, which was his final season with the Gene Haas and Tony Stewart-led team.

“Obviously, not the finish that we wanted. We were up front and in the mix at times. Just I feel like I didn’t do a great job of making decisions and got myself hung up a couple times," Briscoe explained to the media after Daytona.

"I need to go back and look at that and try to learn from it. I’m looking forward to going back racing next week at Darlington where you’re slipping and sliding around.

"Obviously, got to start our playoffs on the right foot. I’m looking forward to it and see what we can do with this Toyota.

Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images

"Outside of the last two weeks' results, I feel like we’ve been one of the strongest cars week in and week out. Just got to go and execute the playoffs. I know our speed will be there. It’s just a matter of putting it all together. If we do that, I think we’re as capable as anybody. We’ve got an uphill battle, obviously, with our points position, but I feel confident.”

Briscoe's Joe Gibbs Racing team-mates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell have also secured their places in the playoffs, and manufacturer partner Toyota team-mates Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick have progressed through to the playoffs.

The playoffs begin with the Round of 16, which will consist of three race weekends at Darlington, Illinois and Bristol, before moving to New Hampshire Motor Speedway to kick off the Round of 12.