By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor
Chase Briscoe’s NASCAR XFINITY Series career began quietly.
But in the end he accomplished his main task for the weekend – surviving the rugged Atlanta Motor Speedway oval and bringing his machine home in one piece.
Briscoe overcame early struggles and delivered a smooth drive to claim 15th in his Xfinity debut for Roush Fenway Racing. The result came in Briscoe’s first start in any NASCAR-sanctioned series this season, offering the first look at the Hoosier since his victory in the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
While he wanted more, the 23-year-old was ultimately content with his result.
“Overall, it was a really good learning experience,” Briscoe said afterward. “You obviously want to win every race you get in, but you have to be realistic when you come to this level.
“It’s probably not gonna happen the first time you get in the thing, and this was probably the toughest track that I’ll get to run this year as far as tires and the way you’re slipping and sliding around – physically too.”
The Roush newcomer’s first start in the No. 60 Ford came on one of the tour’s most challenging tracks. Atlanta’s aged 1.5-mile oval has become notorious in recent years for the emphasis the abrasive racing surface places on managing tire wear.
Like many rookies, Briscoe struggled to find the right balance on the Georgian track early on. After qualifying 18th, the Ford prospect was shuffled back to 22nd at the end of Stage 1 before battling back to claim 14th in Stage 2.
It was in the middle of the pack where Briscoe would stay from there to the finish, battling in the back of the top 15 before settling for a 15th-place finish.
The run wasn’t likely the strongest the No. 60 Ford will see this year, but given that Briscoe has only 49-career asphalt starts, the 2016 ARCA Racing Series champion saw the value in the experience he gained.
“I feel like this was a really good thing for me to come and run this race and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year,” he said. “I’ve got to get better and we’ll find some more speed in the cars as we go along and start to learn each other, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Briscoe’s next race will come at Texas Motor Speedway in April. In the meantime the No. 60 Ford will be driven by fellow Ford prospect and former Brad Keselowski Racing teammate Austin Cindric.