NASCAR star admits he was 'scared to death' at Pocono after multiple car failures

NASCAR Cup Series star Chase Briscoe has admitted he was 'scared to death' during Sunday's race at Pocono.

Briscoe ran out as the winner in Sunday's Great American Getaway 400, taking his first-ever race victory for Joe Gibbs Racing and locking himself into the 2025 playoffs.

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The driver of the No. 19 did so after having to save a lot of fuel late in the race, but it appears that gas was not his only concern.

After 23XI drivers Riley Herbst and Bubba Wallace were involved in separate incidents after brake failures, Briscoe admitted he feared the same could happen to him, with JGR and 23XI having a technical alliance.

"Anytime somebody has a brake issue, you’re scared to death, especially at a place like this [Pocono]," The Joe Gibbs Racing star told the media.

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The caution is out for the second time today as @rileyherbst makes contact with the wall in Turn 1. pic.twitter.com/so4GWJAbhx

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 22, 2025

Chase Briscoe feared brake issues

Briscoe continued: "I knew Riley [Herbst] wrecked early. On my radio, they told me that Bubba lost brakes.

"For sure, you’re worried. More often than not, I feel like our cars and 23XIs are close. I hadn’t had any issues up to that point.

"This is certainly one of those tracks you don’t want to have a brake issue. As a driver, you’re cringing every time you go into the corner hoping you have them.

"It was a slight concern. I didn’t have any issues up till that point. I tried to put it in the back of my head."

Briscoe's concerns were justified, with Wallace revealing post-race that he had no warning of the failure before it had happened.

Speaking to the media, the driver of the No. 23 said: "I was going to battle the 17 and the 2 and by the time I was ready to touch the pedal, it just went to the floor."

"The brakes exploded."

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