Chase Briscoe’s race at Phoenix Raceway didn’t go as planned, as an early wreck took him out of contention. However, thanks to a crucial appeal victory earlier in the week that reinstated 100 points, the setback wasn’t as damaging as it could have been.
Briscoe, driving the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, was looking to build momentum at the one-mile oval but saw his day cut short due to an incident that ended his race prematurely. While any early exit is frustrating, the impact of the wreck was softened by the fact that Briscoe had just regained the 100 points he lost due to a previous penalty.
The Importance of the Points Appeal
Earlier in the week, Briscoe and Stewart-Haas Racing successfully appealed a significant points penalty that had been imposed on them. NASCAR had initially docked Briscoe 100 driver points and issued a hefty fine due to a rules violation. However, the appeals panel determined that the penalty was excessive and reinstated the lost points, giving Briscoe a much-needed boost in the standings.
Without those reinstated points, Briscoe’s early exit at Phoenix would have been an even bigger blow to his playoff hopes. Instead, the appeal decision allowed him to remain in a competitive position despite the setback.
Briscoe’s Playoff Outlook
With the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season still in its early stages, every point matters in the battle for playoff spots. Briscoe, who has shown flashes of speed but struggled with consistency, will need strong performances in the coming weeks to solidify his postseason chances. The appeal victory gives him a better cushion, but he’ll need to avoid further misfortune to stay in the mix.
Phoenix may not have been the race Briscoe hoped for, but the appeal decision kept his season from taking an even bigger hit. Now, he and his Stewart-Haas Racing team will look to regroup and focus on the upcoming races, knowing that their hard-fought appeal win is keeping them in the fight.
