Chase Briscoe calls advising Tony Stewart a “weird” full-circle moment ahead of Daytona comeback

Chase Briscoe never expected that one day he would be the one giving advice to his childhood idol Tony Stewart, especially about racing at Daytona International Speedway, the track where the NASCAR legend won 19 times. Briscoe recently revealed Stewart was asking him for advice on running at Daytona on his return, and it turned into a weird feeling for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer, is set to make his NASCAR comeback after 2016 when he competes in the 2026 Truck Series season opener at Daytona. It will mark his first start at a 2.5-mile-long superspeedway in the Truck Series and his first start since 2005.

Last week, Stewart reached out to his former Stewart-Haas Racing drivers Briscoe and Noah Gragson for some insight, a moment that immediately struck Briscoe as a full-circle experience.

Speaking to media during Tuesday’s test at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Chase Briscoe expressed excitement about his former team owner’s NASCAR return. Describing his own weird feeling about advising Stewart, Briscoe said:

“I’m excited. So, when Tony last week told me that he was going to do it, it was weird. He asked a few questions, like for advice, and me, Noah, and Tony, and I was like, “Man, whatever you do, don’t do what I did. I wrecked the whole field on lap one of my first truck start at Daytona.” So yeah, I’m just excited to see what Tony does. It was so odd to me talking to him last week. Many questions he has asked. I’m like dude you’re a Hall of Famer, why are you asking me these questions? But yeah, I’m excited just to see what he can do”

Tony Stewart played a major role in Chase Briscoe’s rise through NASCAR, giving him his first breakthrough to compete full-time in the Cup Series in his own team, SHR, which has shut down their operations in the sport.

Chase Briscoe announces new sponsor for 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season

Joe Gibbs Racing on Wednesday (January 14) announced Free Bird as Chase Briscoe’s primary sponsor for multiple NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026. JGR has signed a multi-year agreement with the brand.

Free Bird, the rapidly growing Southern spring water brand, will serve as a primary sponsor for Briscoe in three races, starting with Darlington Raceway on March 22. The brand will return to adorn the #19 Toyota at EchoPark Speedway (July 12) and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (October 11).

Chase Briscoe wrapped up his first season with JGR at third place in the championship standings. In his debut JGR year, he scored three wins, 15 top-5s, and 19 top-10 finishes and led 884 laps with an average finish of 12.7.