Chase Briscoe to remain in Xfinity Series another year

During Monday morning’s Stewart Haas Racing media video conference, Greg Zipadelli was asked about Xfinity Series star Chase Briscoe (shown above).

Of its four existing Cup drivers, the status of both Clint Bowyer remains unknown after this season.  Aric Almirola has Smithfield returning as a sponsor, so he is now assured of a ride for the next two years.  Money talks.

“I do anticipate and excited to hopefully have the same lineup that we do this year back. I know one is very close to done, and working on the other one,” said Zipadelli. “So, I think our drivers really work well together this year and lean on each other. They’ve all helped Cole [Custer] a bunch and I’m proud of everybody for that. I think they’ve showed up ready to race on Sundays and that’s all we can ask.”

Regarding Briscoe, Zipadelli said, “Hopefully he’ll be right where he is and shortly thereafter move up to the Cup Series. We love Chase and appreciate him. He’s a good kid and a great talent, and just a ton of fun to be around as far as his capability and how calm and cool he is, and the things he can do with a race car.

“I would say he’s right at that point, whether it’s next year or the year after. I don’t think it would hurt him to run another year of Xfinity. I don’t know — kind of depending on how the schedules and what the races are if it helps him a bunch or not, but, right now, we’re trying to weigh out all those options”

If there isn’t room for Briscoe at SHR in Cup next season, Go Fas Racing may be another option because they’ve announced this month that Corey LaJoie won’t be back in the No. 32 Ford Mustang after this season. However, such conversations involving Briscoe hasn’t happened.

“I think there are opportunities for all of that. We haven’t really talked much about going down that road,” said Zipadelli. “I think we’re just kind of waiting to see how everything pans out, and then we’ll make the decisions which we feel is best for our organization and our drivers.”