Chase Briscoe settles for runner-up finish behind Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma

Chase Briscoe secured a second-place finish at Sonoma Raceway, coming close to unseating road-course specialist Shane van Gisbergen in the closing stages of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series event. Despite a strategic final pit stop on Lap 81 for fresh tires and fuel, Briscoe could not bridge the final gap to the leader, ultimately crossing the line behind the Kiwi for the second consecutive year at the California circuit.

Briscoe acknowledged that while his car appeared to have the superior pace on the long run, he struggled to remain perfect under pressure. A critical error at Turn 1 with only a few laps remaining effectively ended his pursuit, as the deficit widened just when he was closing in on the lead. Briscoe later admitted that his own execution prevented him from challenging for the win, stating he needed to be flawless to beat a driver of van Gisbergen’s caliber.

Crew chief James Small lauded Briscoe’s ability to manage his equipment throughout the final stint, noting that the team’s strategy was designed to save rear tires for a late push. Despite the frustration of missing out on a victory, the result marks a significant moment in Briscoe's season, helping the driver solidify his standing in the playoff hunt as the series moves into the summer months.