Chase Briscoe Clinches Championship Berth with Talladega Triumph

Chase Briscoe picked a great time for the first superspeedway victory of his racing career.

Briscoe had never gone to victory lane in a superspeedway race in any of NASCAR's three National Series before Sunday's YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Still, it was the Mitchell, Indiana native taking the checkered flag in an overtime finish, crossing the line just ahead of Todd Gilliland.

Race Results: NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega

With the win, Briscoe will be one of four drivers with a shot at the NASCAR Cup Series championship in two weeks at Phoenix Raceway. He joins last week's winner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin, in the Championship 4.

Benefitting from a push from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs, Briscoe earned his fifth career NASCAR Cup Series victory at a track he may have least expected it.

"Ty Gibbs, just an incredible teammate there," said Briscoe during his post-race interview on NBC. "I mean, honestly, I wouldn't have won that race without Ty. Just an amazing team effort. I can't believe I won a superspeedway race. I haven't done it at any level, anyway."

In the celebration surrounding his overtime win, Briscoe almost needed a reminder about the importance of his victory, giving him a chance to pursue a championship on November 2.

"Every time we come to Talladega, this place is sold out. This is an unbelievable atmosphere. I cannot believe I won here. Johnny Morris is here with Bass Pro Shops. It's not hit me, we're going to Phoenix.

"I'm so thankful that the Lord has blessed me, opening doors and even closing doors at times. Opening an incredible door here at Joe Gibbs Racing. God is so good. I say it all the time."

Gilliland finished second, his best career NASCAR Cup Series finish. Ty Gibbs was third across the line, his fifth top-five finish of the 2025 season. Bubba Wallace and Cole Custer rounded out the top five.

While Briscoe celebrated, a playoff shakeup took place behind him. That was most notable on the final lap with a pair of Hendrick Motorsports drivers. Kyle Larson ran out of fuel on the final lap, while William Byron spun exiting the tri-oval after a bump from Carson Hocevar.

Byron finished 25th, with Larson limping to a 26th-place finish. Larson exits Talladega 36 points above the cutline, but a new winner from below the cutoff next Sunday at Martinsville Speedway could push him out of the Championship 4.

Byron is the driver 36 points behind Larson in fifth, followed by Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott. Logano was the highest finishing of those three drivers in 16th, while Elliott fell out of the race after an early accident and finished 40th.

The YellaWood 500 boasted 77 lead changes among 27 different drivers. Both are high marks for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The 27 different leaders marked the third-most unique leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series event in series history.

Chris Buescher was in position to score the victory in the closing laps of the regularly scheduled distance of the race. However, a push on the backstretch sent him careening into the inside wall and brought out the caution, which set up the overtime finish.

The remainder of the Championship 4 will be determined in the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 26. Coverage of the event on Sunday, October 26 will start at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

-Photo credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images