In the world of NASCAR, fortunes can shift dramatically in an instant. There was a moment when Chase Briscoe found himself at a pivotal juncture in late 2019; his aspirations for racing success were on the brink of collapse. Despite a promising rise through the ranks, he faced a daunting obstacle in securing sponsorships. With a single phone call from his team, the pressure of uncertainty weighed heavily on him, making him question whether his racing career was nearing its end.
However, an unexpected encounter in Las Vegas would lead to a turn of events that could revive his dreams. Sometimes, in the unpredictable landscape of NASCAR, it takes a small twist of fate to initiate a significant comeback.
The Fan Who Changed Briscoe’s Destiny
Chase Briscoe achieved his first Cup Series victory in 2022, becoming the 200th winner in the series. With 11 wins in his Xfinity career and a 2017 triumph in the Truck Series at Homestead-Miami, he had an extensive racing background, primarily with the now-defunct Stewart Haas Racing. However, 2019 was a challenging year for the sophomore driver, who had managed just one win. As he looked forward to a better following season, troubling news loomed.
With no funding secured, he was perilously close to the end of his racing journey. Little did he know that a fan’s chance encounter would alter his trajectory. At that time, Briscoe’s father was in Las Vegas. As he exited a restaurant wearing a hat with the number 98—representing Chase’s Xfinity car—he crossed paths with a fan leaving Buffalo Wild Wings who recognized the number. When Briscoe’s father inquired if the man was linked to a racing team, the fan revealed his admiration for Stewart Haas Racing.
“So, literally, my career is over. My dad just happened to walk out of that restaurant and turned right. Coincidentally, the CEO came out of Buffalo Wild Wings and turned left. My dad sent me a picture of the man’s business card, and I forwarded it to SHR saying, ‘Hey, we only have a week. My dad met this guy, who’s a CEO. Maybe you should give him a call,’” Briscoe recounted. Unfortunately, there was a twist in the story.
According to Chase, SHR did reach out to the man, but he replied, “I’m telling you right now I’m not sponsoring a race car.” He had previously been approached by Joe Custer, father of driver Cole Custer, but Mike Mendiburu, CEO of Highpoint, simply indicated that he was a racing fan with no interest in sponsorships.