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Author: Terry Lambert
Date: January 22nd, 2020
After two seasons of dominant runs by Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick and Cole Custer, the NASCAR Xfinity Series is set to welcome a new group of dominators to the table in 2020. With no obvious new prospects poised to run away with checkered flags this year, we’re likely to see a shift towards second and third years drivers that have already began making their mark in the series.
None will enter 2020 with more expectations than Chase Briscoe.
The Ford development driver has already found victory lane twice in the Xfinity Series. He surprised everyone with a brilliant drive in the inaugural Roval race in Charlotte, then beat Christopher Bell on tire strategy at Iowa last season.
By the end of the 2019 season, Briscoe was knocking down the door of the big three — at least on the intermediates. He had a chance to win several races down the stretch, which is impressive considering his competition. Briscoe fell victim to a lapped car getting in his was from the lead at Kansas, battling with Bell for the win. He battled back from a blown tire to finish third at Miami in the season finale. With JGR’s No. 20 going to Harrison Burton, the status of RCR’s No. 2 still up in the air and SHR shutting down Custer’s No. 00 entry, the opportunity is there for the taking.
Briscoe will step into the primary car for Stewart-Haas Racing with every resource being poured into the No. 98 entry. Unless Jr. Motorsports or maybe Austin Cindric at Penske can find some serious intermediate speed, Briscoe should be the favorite entering just about every intermediate track this season, barring an entry from Kyle Busch or another cup star.
Chase Briscoe’s green flag speed to end the year.
Miami: 3rd
Kansas: 4th
Dover: 3rd
Las Vegas: 4th
Each of these races featured members of the ‘Big 3’ beating Briscoe on speed alone. But with those three gone, Briscoe is set up to take the crown. Austin Cindric, Justin Allgaier, Daniel Hemric, Brandon Jones, Noah Gragson, Harrison Burton and Ross Chastain will certainly have something to say, but the odds on favorite has to be Briscoe entering 2020.