JOLIET, Ill. (June 30, 2018) –In his first NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) start at Chicagoland Speedway, Chase Briscoe drove his Nutri Chomps Ford to a ninth-place finish scoring his first career NXS top-10 finish Saturday afternoon.
After advancing to round two in qualifying on Saturday morning the Roush Fenway Racing driver lined up in the 17th position, which he maintained for a majority of stage one due to a tight handling machine. With a caution free 45-lap stage, Briscoe took the green-checkered in the 16th position.
During the stage break, Briscoe brought his Nutri Chomps Ford to pit-road for four tires, fuel, and a track bar adjustment. With another caution free stage two, the Mitchell, Ind. native continued to fight a tight handling car forcing him to take the green-checkered in the 17th position.
When the caution flag waved on lap 114, crew chief Mike Kelley made a strategy call to stay out to gain track position and save a set of tires for later in the 200-lap race. Briscoe led the field to green but gradually fell to cars with fresher tires.
The Nutri Chomps Ford was really strong on the long runs allowing Briscoe to work his way just outside the top-10 before green flag pit-stops. After making his final pit-stop, Briscoe was running similar lap times as the leader with 20 laps remaining. The rookie was able to pick up four positions in the closing lap to earn his first career NXS top-10 finish.
Next week, Austin Cindric and the No. 60 team return to Daytona International Speedway. The race is set for Friday, July 6. Coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. (EST) of NBCSN.