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Briscoe discusses first NASCAR Cup victory of 2026 season
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe celebrates in victory lane after winning the eero 400 Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway.
Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman takes part in qualifying on May 23 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
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Chase Briscoe is finally a NASCAR Cup Series winner during the 2026 season. On Sunday night, Briscoe and the No. 19 team for Joe Gibbs Racing won the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. The driver of the No. 19 car had to hold off a hard-charging Christopher Bell to land in victory lane.
Following the event, Briscoe discussed his big NASCAR win at Chicagoland on Fourth of July weekend. It was a special victory for Briscoe.
"Yeah, how about that race?" Briscoe said. "Was that a good race? It felt awesome. Yeah, what an unbelievable weekend. I feel so American winning in the Bass Pro Shop's Red, White, and Blue car, 4th of July weekend, 250 years. Man, just what an unbelievable race car. James did a great job. Team did a pretty job. Honestly did not see this coming. I kind of felt like I was struggling in practice, in qualifying, but James and the group did a great job. Man, just so cool to get this paint scheme back in victory lane."
"Appreciate all of our partners, Free Bird, Zep, we got all kinds, Wix, obviously, Tracker Boats, TrueTimber camo. Appreciate each and every person — Mobil 1 too — that makes this happen. What a cool weekend to win a NASCAR race."
Briscoe had to use some help from A.J. Allmendinger, a lapped car, and aero blocking, but he was able to hold off his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate. It has been a tough season for Briscoe, so it is about time that he earned some luck. Now, he will hope to carry this momentum to EchoPark Speedway this weekend.
NASCAR to further inspect cars after Chicagoland
NASCAR is performing a deeper inspection process after the Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway last weekend. Denny Hamlin's No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing has been taken to the NASCAR R&D Center for further inspection after Chicagoland, the sport announced. Hamlin finished in fourth place on Sunday night.
Alex Bowman's No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports has also been taken for further inspection. Bowman finished in fifth place on Sunday night.
In the NextGen car era, drivers and teams have received significant penalties when NASCAR takes a car to the R&D Center. There have been several occasions when they have lost over 100 points due to an infraction. Most cars are cleared after going to the R&D Center, but exceptions exist.
Bowman reveals major update
Bowman's future in NASCAR has been in question during the 2026 Cup Series season. After missing four races due to vertigo earlier in the year, Bowman's status in the No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports is uncertain. Will the driver of the No. 48 car leave Hendrick Motorsports or retire from NASCAR?
Bowman recently discussed his NASCAR future at a press conference, providing an update on his plans for the 2027 season. Nothing is official yet, but an announcement could come at any time.
"It's been interesting," Bowman said. "Obviously, we've had a lot of different conversations and kind of trying to figure out what the best thing to do is, so I would say sooner rather than later, for sure. But really, I guess I haven't really thought about [it]. Like, it hasn't been the first thing on my mind by any means, and really just been working hard at trying to get things pointed in the right direction. But definitely, [I] think sooner rather than later."
"I think for me, I just want to make the right decision for myself, I guess. And yeah, certain things haven't gone how we want them to go. And honestly, I'm at a point in my life where I'm super blessed to be in a position where I don't have to do this forever. So I've just got to make the right decision, and I want Hendrick Motorsports to make the right decision and everybody to be on board with whatever we do. I think I have a lot of faith in [Rick Hendrick] and [Jeff Gordon] and everybody to guide all of us the right way, and whatever happens, happens."
Bowman has struggled during the 2026 NASCAR season, but his performances have improved as the summer progresses. It seems like everything is on the table for the Hendrick Motorsports driver, and a decision should be coming soon. After all, Bowman has to make the best decision for himself moving forward.
"Yeah, how about that race? Was that a good race? It felt awesome. Yeah, what an unbelievable weekend. I feel so American winning in the Bass Pro Shop's Red, White, and Blue car, 4th of July weekend, 250 years. Man, just what an unbelievable race car."
Chase Briscoe
