Chase Briscoe ends 2026 winless streak with Chicagoland victory

**Chase Briscoe** ended his 2026 winless streak on Sunday night at Chicagoland Speedway, delivering his first victory of the season in the eero 400.**

The Indiana native had watched teammates Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs celebrate wins while he searched for his own breakthrough. His triumph at the Joliet, Illinois track not only snapped a frustrating streak but also validated months of work alongside crew chief James Small.

What happened?

Briscoe’s victory came after 18 races without a win in 2026. The eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway marked his first checkered flag since three wins in 2025. His car stayed strong through the final laps, and he held off a late challenge to take the checkered flag.

The breakthrough came on Small’s birthday. Before the race, Small joked that Briscoe’s prize for winning would be a stash of British Dairy Milk chocolate. After the race, Small made good on the promise, handing Briscoe the chocolate on the front straightaway.

Why it matters for Chase Briscoe

The win moved Briscoe to eighth in the standings, giving him a clearer path to the playoffs. He admitted the frustration had built all season. “It’s definitely burned me up not winning more than ever before,” he said. “Especially knowing our cars are really, really fast.”

Briscoe credited Small for tightening his race management. He had often overdriven long runs, burning through tires early. “I would just run every lap 100% and burn my stuff up,” he said. “I’ve listened to Denny a lot about how he manages his pace.”

Hamlin’s experience also played a role. Briscoe leaned on the veteran’s guidance for tire conservation and racecraft. The two share a close relationship, despite their contrasting personalities. “Me and him are about the two most polar opposites in the world,” Briscoe said.

What comes next?

Briscoe now turns his focus to the playoff push. He stressed the need for more wins before the regular season ends. “We’re still playing from behind,” he said. “But if we can win a couple more races before the regular season ends, there’s a real path to getting ourselves back toward the top of the points.”

The victory also served as validation for Briscoe’s adaptation to Joe Gibbs Racing. After joining the team, he spent months refining his approach. The win proved the adjustments were working.

Small’s leadership stood out. Briscoe called him a perfectionist, pushing every lap. “He stays on me and makes me be perfect each and every lap,” he said. The crew chief’s demands paid off in a big way.