Report: Chase Briscoe expected to replace Martin Truex Jr. at Joe Gibbs Racing

The news has broken that Martin Truex Jr. is retiring at the end of this season and Chase Briscoe could be the one to replace him. NASCAR Silly Season is just getting started. This is going to be one of the first major shoes to drop.

Over the last few years, Martin Truex Jr. has had to make a decision late in the season on his future. He returned for 2023. Then he came back again in 2024. Now it is finally the end of the line.

Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic broke the Truex news as well as mentioning Chase Briscoe as the replacement.

“The team [Joe Gibbs Racing] is not expected to name Truex’s replacement immediately, but Chase Briscoe is considered one of the leading candidates to fill the vacancy, sources briefed on the team’s plans said,” Bianchi reports.

NEWS: Martin Truex Jr. expected to make retirement announcement on Friday, sources tell @TheAthletic. https://t.co/7701A1OIq8

— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) June 13, 2024

In 124 starts, Chase Briscoe has had moderate success. Had Stewart-Haas Racing continued on into the future, Briscoe was their guy moving forward. Tony Stewart likes him a lot as a driver and being an Indiana kid, took Briscoe under his wing.

Whether JGR keeps Bass Pro Shops or not, either could work I think for Briscoe. He fits that brand pretty well. Then again, I believe he could bring his own sponsorship, possibly maintain his relationship with Mahindra Tractors.

Martin Truex Jr. is going to be a difficult act to follow for any driver. This is year four in the Cup Series for Briscoe and he has a win to his name. Even though he doesn’t have the flashy stats and things right now, his talent is very respected in the Cup garage.

Would this be a good hire for Joe Gibbs? Can Briscoe succeed in the 19 or perhaps a rebranded 18 car?

Chase Briscoe is looking for a ride in 2025

Until something is announced one way or another, Chase Briscoe is auditioning for a job in 2025. Stewart-Haas is closing up shop. One charter was sold to Front Row Motorsports. Where the other three end up is unknown at this time.

Briscoe has been rumored for the Wood Brothers ride. Perhaps even one of the Front Row cars. If the Gibbs rumors are true, then it is clear who Briscoe will prefer. JGR is one of two or three teams that make you drop everything you’re doing when they call.

People who know more about racing than I do believe that Briscoe has the talent to be a winner. He is seen as a rare talent, one of these dirt racers turned into a stock car driver. It wasn’t always evident in the last four years at SHR. Then again, no one was very great outside of Kevin Harvick in that time. And that had a limited time as well.

Seeing Chase Briscoe with JGR would be awesome. It would definitely put him in a position to prove everyone right and show that he has the talent to win races consistently and be a playoff threat year in and year out. Still 29 years old, Briscoe has yet to enter his prime and that could be what attracts Gibbs to him in the end.