Tony Stewart has made it clear that his focus is on supporting Chase Briscoe’s NASCAR Cup Series title quest, and underperforming teammates will no longer be prioritized at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR).
Stewart, a co-owner of the team, is concentrating all resources on helping Briscoe capitalize on his potential and secure a championship win, as Briscoe has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season. This shift in strategy reflects SHR’s determination to reclaim a championship, a title that has eluded the team in recent years.
Stewart’s decision to prioritize Briscoe is not without precedent. Successful teams like Hendrick Motorsports have long demonstrated that channeling resources toward a leading driver can maximize their chances of victory.
SHR plans to adopt a similar approach with Briscoe, who, after narrowly securing his playoff spot, has proven that he deserves the team’s full attention. To aid his championship push, SHR will test new strategies using Briscoe’s teammates’ cars.
Noah Gragson, for instance, is expected to play a key supporting role by running with the same parts and setups as Briscoe. This will allow the team to experiment with different configurations and strategies to gain crucial insights for Briscoe’s playoff run.
This focus on Briscoe’s performance means that underperforming teammates will take a back seat. While Gragson and others may still race, their primary role will be to support Briscoe by helping refine car setups and strategy adjustments during practices. It’s a strategic move aimed at enhancing Briscoe’s chances of winning the Cup Series .
Briscoe himself is eager to make the most of this opportunity. Reflecting on his performance earlier this season, he acknowledged mistakes that cost him a victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he was overly aggressive. Now, with the playoffs approaching, Briscoe knows that a more calculated approach is needed. His goal is to avoid those same errors, demonstrating growth and maturity as a driver .
For Stewart, this shift is about focusing on the team’s best chance of success. SHR has struggled to maintain the level of dominance it once enjoyed, but Briscoe’s strong performances offer a glimmer of hope. Stewart believes that by putting the full weight of the team behind Briscoe, SHR can get back to winning ways and add another championship to their storied history
In the high-stakes environment of the NASCAR Cup Series, this strategy reflects a growing trend among teams to prioritize their top-performing drivers during the playoffs. For Briscoe, it’s a chance to prove that he belongs among the sport’s elite, and with Stewart’s backing, he may just pull off a title run that could reshape SHR’s future.
