As the 2025 season approaches, Chase Briscoe is stepping into uncharted territory. After years with Stewart-Haas Racing, the 30-year-old is now gearing up for his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing. He will take over the No. 19 Toyota Camry left behind by veteran Martin Truex Jr. This move marks a significant shift for Briscoe, both in terms of equipment and organizational structure.
While JGR is a powerhouse in NASCAR, SHR struggled to keep up before eventually shutting down its Cup Series operations. Notably, Briscoe had been one of the bright spots at SHR, but his move to a top-tier team presents new challenges. He will have to adapt to a culture that demands precision, data-driven decisions, and relentless preparation. Though Briscoe expected differences, he wasn’t entirely prepared for the culture shock that awaited him at JGR. Now, thanks to his new teammate, Christopher Bell, fans have a clearer picture of just how different things are for Briscoe.
An upside-down journey for Chase Briscoe
Christopher Bell has been one of the rising stars at Joe Gibbs Racing. Since joining the squad in 2021, he has been very consistent with his performances. Apart from the NASCAR world, he is also making waves in midget racing. However, recently, Bell spoke about the team culture of Joe Gibbs Racing and how it is affecting his new teammate, Chase Briscoe. In a candid conversation with Claire B Lang, Bell revealed Briscoe’s struggles. He also highlighted how deeply analytical and detail-oriented the organization is.
“It’s filled with a ton of highly intellectual people that do a lot of studying about our sport, right? So, like us, our engineers, all the crew chiefs, like there’s just a ton of attention to detail that has been normal to me. But you know, hearing from Chase like it that some things aren’t normal to him,” Bell told Claire.
Notably, Briscoe is still adjusting to this level of meticulousness. Unlike SHR, which prioritized solving performance issues over data-driven solutions, JGR runs like a well-oiled machine. The team backs every decision, from car setup to race-day strategy, with extensive research and analysis. For Briscoe, that’s a completely new experience. However, Bell further revealed that Briscoe is learning the data story. “I feel like just talking to Chase, that’s a little bit where he’s at. He’s ready to drive the car and give feedback on what he’s having and see where he fits into that,” Bell added.
Great discussion as #NASCAR season starts on what @chasebriscoe will find at @JoeGibbsRacing as he transitions from former team Stewart Haas. Teammate @CBellRacing says Briscoe is adjusting learning a new culture at JGR – The discussion begged for this question… so I asked… pic.twitter.com/7NRRycMGk9
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) February 1, 2025
Notably, Chase Briscoe has also acknowledged the differences himself. A few weeks ago, when asked by a fan on Reddit about the biggest change, Briscoe pointed to team owner Joe Gibbs’ hands-on approach. “I’d say the biggest thing is just how Coach is extremely involved in the day-to-day and how he’s always at the shop,” he shared.
It’s worth noting that Bell has been very instrumental in revealing key details of Briscoe’s transition into Joe Gibbs Racing. Last year, he accidentally broke the news of Briscoe’s JGR move before it was officially announced. During a press conference at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bell casually mentioned that “Chase” would be taking over the No. 19 car. While Bell may have a habit of speaking a little too freely, his focus is now on the track. With the 2025 season fast approaching, he isn’t just looking out for Briscoe, but also for his championship journey.
Is Bell Going to Challenge Kyle Larson?
While Christopher Bell continues to reveal key behind-the-scenes details of Joe Gibbs Racing, he prepares for a much-awaited NASCAR season. Bell has quietly emerged as one of the most consistent drivers in NASCAR. While he may not always grab the headlines, his steady progress has positioned him as a legitimate contender. Now, as the 2025 season approaches, many believe he could be challenging Kyle Larson, who had dominated the 2024 NASCAR season with six victories.
Many NASCAR experts, including Kevin Harvick, believe that Bell can challenge Larson. In a recent podcast, the former NASCAR champion said, “I think the Larson-Bell rivalry is something that we all hope for. But has a lot more opportunity to be in more places than just NASCAR, right? Like the Chili Bowl already had that the micros and, and everything that they raced already has a little bit of that spice.”
Harvick’s comment didn’t come without any backing. Bell’s recent performances position him as one of the biggest challengers for Larson. Joe Gibbs Racing has built a strong program around Bell, and his growth in recent seasons proves he can handle the intensity of battling for championships. Beyond NASCAR, Bell and Larson have a long history of competing against each other in dirt racing. Recently, their battle at Chili Bowl Nationals and Tulsa Shootout has set the stage for the upcoming NASCAR season.
While Bell may not have as many wins as Larson yet, he is steadily closing the gap. His ability to adapt, learn, and push his limits makes him a serious threat. If he can string together consistent performances in 2025, we might see a new rivalry take center stage in NASCAR. Larson has been the top dog for a while, but Bell is knocking on the door. This season could be the one where he finally steps up and proves he can go head-to-head with the best.
The post “Somethings Aren’t Normal” – Chase Briscoe’s Cultural Shock at JGR Revealed by His Big Mouth Teammate appeared first on EssentiallySports.
