When Chase Briscoe first lined up for the season opener at Daytona in 2016, few could have predicted the remarkable trajectory his career would take. At that time, Briscoe was a rookie in the ARCA Racing Series, with no sponsor and minimal funding. What he did have, however, was a chance to race—a chance provided to him by Briggs Cunningham, a businessman and car owner who believed in the young driver’s potential.
Briscoe, whose career started in the open-wheel ranks before making the leap to stock cars, had never been handed anything. His road to Daytona was paved with perseverance, hard work, and a bit of luck. Despite his limited resources, Briscoe’s raw talent and determination caught the attention of Cunningham, who saw something special in the young driver.
Cunningham’s decision to give Briscoe a shot paid off in spectacular fashion.
A Stellar Rookie Season
2016 marked the beginning of a new chapter for Briscoe. With no sponsor backing and a modest team behind him, Briscoe set out to make a name for himself. The season opener at Daytona, with its high-stakes atmosphere, would set the tone for the rest of his rookie campaign. While many would have struggled to find their footing in such an uncertain environment, Briscoe showed that he had the skills to compete with the best.
In what would become an unforgettable rookie season, Briscoe impressed with a series of strong performances, demonstrating both consistency and speed. By the end of the year, his stats were a testament to his talent: six wins, 14 top-5 finishes, 18 top-10s, and six poles. But perhaps the most significant achievement of all was the ultimate reward for his hard work—a championship.
A Championship-Pedigree Performance
Briscoe’s ARCA Championship in 2016 was more than just a personal achievement—it was a defining moment in the series. His impressive season showed that talent could rise above financial constraints, and it established him as one of the brightest young stars in NASCAR’s lower divisions. In the face of adversity and with no big-money sponsors to lean on, Briscoe’s success was a testament to his grit and determination. His ability to outperform drivers with better-funded teams and more experienced crews solidified his reputation as a serious contender for future opportunities.
The championship win also served as a thank you to Briggs Cunningham, who had believed in Briscoe when no one else would. For Cunningham, the return on his investment was immense. Briscoe’s growth throughout the season not only proved his potential but also validated the faith that Cunningham had placed in him.
Repaying the Favor: The Road to NASCAR
After his dominant season in ARCA, it was clear that Briscoe had the talent to make it in the upper echelons of motorsports. His remarkable championship run set the stage for his eventual move to NASCAR, where he continued to build on the foundation laid in ARCA. Over the next few years, Briscoe’s career would continue to soar. He would earn multiple opportunities in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and, eventually, make his mark in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Today, Chase Briscoe’s career is a testament to the power of opportunity and hard work. From a rookie with no money to a respected driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, Briscoe’s story is one of resilience and unwavering determination. He repaid the favor given to him by Briggs Cunningham and continues to make waves in the world of motorsports.
Briscoe’s success is a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a single chance to change the course of a career. In the case of Chase Briscoe, that chance led to a championship and a bright future in NASCAR—a future that started with a simple act of belief from a man who saw something special in a young, hungry driver.
