Christopher Bell spoiled the announcement of Chase Briscoe joining Joe Gibbs Racing over the weekend, but the team had some fun with it at Tuesday’s introductory press conference.
Earlier last weekend, Bell accidentally leaked the news while speaking to reporters that Briscoe would be his new teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, taking over for Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 19. The current Stewart-Haas Racing wheelman needed a new seat for next season, with his current team shutting their doors after the campaign, and it all worked out for Briscoe and JGR.
Of course, the moment where Bell slipped caused a stir in Loudon, but it was basically an open-secret that Briscoe would be getting the No. 19 anyway. Bell’s moment of weakness added some fun, and JGR laughed about it on Tuesday, with Bell getting the ball rolling on the press conference.
“Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for joining us at Joe Gibbs Racing Since I had the mistake of starting this on Friday, I guess I’ll get to finish it out today,” Bell proclaimed. “So we’ve got out team owner Joe Gibbs, crew chief on the No. 19 car James Small, and it is my honor to finally announce the full name of our driver next year, Chase Briscoe in the No. 19 car.”
Afterwards, Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell shared a laugh, as the No. 19 car finally found its driver for 2025. If Tuesday’s press conference is any indication, a lot of success and a lot of fun is going to be had at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025.
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Moreover, Chase Briscoe inked a multiyear deal with JGR and Bass Pro Shops will remain the primary sponsor for the No. 19 car. James Small, who took the reins atop the pit box 2020 after Cole Pearn’s departure, will remain the team’s crew chief.
“I’m excited for this opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing and Bass Pro Shops,” Briscoe said. “From a competition standpoint, JGR is the place to be if you want to go win races week in and week out and to race for the championship every year. I am blessed that Johnny Morris and Bass Pro are on board to help us carry on the legacy of the 19 car.
“For me personally, being an avid outdoorsman, there’s a lot of pride in now being a part of the Bass Pro brand and I’m extremely grateful for this partnership. Getting to meet Johnny, I feel like I share a lot of the same values as him and Coach, and I’m ready to get to work and prove that they have made a great choice putting me in this car.”
Briscoe, 29, makes the move to JGR after spending the first four seasons of his Cup Series career with Stewart-Haas Racing. But with SHR closing shop after the 2024 campaign, Briscoe was in search of a new opportunity. He finds it at JGR in one of the most coveted rides in the sport, taking the place of a future Hall of Fame driver.
On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.
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