By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service
Chase Briscoe enjoys flexibility entering second Playoff race
MADISON, Ill. — Needless to say, Chase Briscoe is in a unique and enviable position entering Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway (3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
As the only driver locked in for the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Briscoe has more options than any other postseason competitor when it comes to last two races in the Round of 16 at Gateway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
The driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and crew chief James Small have considerable flexibility when it comes to strategy. If they so choose, they also can look ahead to the first race in the Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and concentrate their efforts on that event.
“For us, the biggest thing (at Darlington), probably was the Playoff points—just that we gained,” Briscoe said Saturday before NASCAR Cup Series practice at the 1.25-mile track. “I think we went from 10 to 17, so basically doubled our Playoff points for the next round.
“For us, this week and next week still, if there is a situation that arises throughout the race, say a caution comes out with five to go before a stage, all of those guys are going to have to stay out and get the points. Where, obviously, if we were leading, we would probably stay out to get the Playoff point.”
The victory at Darlington, Briscoe’s second straight in the Southern 500, is a game-changer from the driver’s perspective.
“It allows us to be really aggressive on strategy and do things opposite, so hopefully line us up better to win the race and get five Playoff points, so it definitely changes some stuff for us,” he said.
“This week, we didn’t do anything on New Hampshire, but I’m sure next week we will just get a week ahead, and that’s the advantage of winning that first race in the round, for sure.”
Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) Interview:
Denny Hamlin seeks to augment his points cushion for Bristol race
A seventh-place finish in the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway left perennial Playoff driver Denny Hamlin 43 points above the current elimination line for the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason.
At World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday, Hamlin hopes to increase that total to facilitate a stress-free run in the following week’s elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Anything 50 or more (points) is a pretty comfortable spot, even if you typically DNF (did not finish),” Hamlin said. “You have to add in if the people below the cut—are they really legitimate contenders to win a race or not, at Bristol?
“So, 50 or more would be fine. Even if it is less than that, it’s fine. We were far less than that last year at Bristol and unfortunately had to run that race a little bit more conservatively because we weren’t in as comfortable of a spot as I was hoping for. So I would like to go to Bristol not having to worry about anything.”
Hamlin also hopes to be one of a small group of drivers who can race at Bristol without fear of failure. At the opposite end of the spectrum likely will be drivers who must win to advance to the Round of 12.
““Everyone’s situation is different,” Hamlin said. “Everyone’s speed is different. Everyone’s ability to win is different, and so I would say that everyone’s mind-set is probably a little different.
“I think there is probably will be a couple of guys below the cut probably praying something bad happens to the guys in front of them, because that is really their only shot. They are not going to gain that many points to the cut line. You maybe will have one that will have to win, so on and so forth.
“Everyone’s situation will be a little different. I can only speak for our team, and that we want to go to Bristol with the opportunity to win. I want to be 100 percent. That is the only mind-set, win and who cares if you finish last, and that is probably a unique place that only two or three guys will have at that track.”
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) Interview:
Justin Allgaier committed to defense of second place in standings
Entering Saturday night‘s NASCAR Xfinity Series regular-season finale, reigning champion Justin Allgaier said he was more concerned about protecting second place in the standings, rather than trying to overtake JR Motorsports teammate Connor Zilisch for the regular-season title.
Allgaier trails Zilisch by 20 points and leads Sam Mayer in third place by 30.
“I think it’s definitely Connor’s to lose,” Allgaier said. “And I don’t want to wish bad on him as a teammate… My job is to go out and put us in the best position possible, do everything we can. I’m not going to wish ill intent on anything for him.
“As long a JR Motorsports Chevrolet gets the regular-season championship, we’ve won.”
After the July 19 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover Motor Speedway, Allgaier topped the standings by 55 points over his 19-year-old teammate. But Zilisch has won four of the subsequent five races, and Allgaier has encountered a succession of costly issues.
“I’m mad at ourselves, because we’ve given away so many points this year—just scenarios, parts failures, stupid stuff. Then again, this sport is about doing the right thing and executing when the time comes. We’ve not done a good job of that.”
Keeping Mayer behind him—and avoiding a swing of four Playoff points—was top of mind for Allgaier entering the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog.
“I think that damage control with Sam is more important than going after Connor,” Allgaier acknowledged.
Justin Allgaier (No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet) Interview:
