Stewart-Haas Racing made the news officially official on Tuesday, as they announced that Chase Briscoe will indeed replace Clint Bowyer in the No. 14 Ford Mustang. Motorsport.com was the first to report this on Monday.
This seat's taken. @ChaseBriscoe5 will drive the No. 14 @HighPoint Ford Mustang in 2021.
Details: https://t.co/KtgMFDLpd8 pic.twitter.com/WiFx4V9ILO— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) October 20, 2020
Briscoe, 25, will have sponsorship from HighPoint.com on the car. High Point, of course, was a crucial partner to Briscoe’s incredible nine-win — and counting — 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
“Chase has to be one of the most humble and grateful guys in the sport and he has worked incredibly hard for this opportunity. We’re extremely proud to be a part of his journey from Xfinity to Cup,” said Mike Mendiburu, President and CEO of HighPoint in a team release. “Everyone has seen his talent and he has combined it with incredible humility and an unrelenting work ethic. Simply put, performance without character is not important to us. Chase, however, has both in spades. It’s why he’s ready for the NASCAR Cup Series and why we are so honored to support him.”
While Briscoe still chases a NASCAR Xfinity Series title, as the season comes to a close, Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Tony Stewart says Briscoe has certainly earned his way to the next level.
“Chase has worked incredibly hard to make his mark in NASCAR and has earned this promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series. Thanks to HighPoint and Ford, we were able to make it happen,” said Stewart. “Without Ford seeing him early on and recognizing his talent and HighPoint backing his efforts in Xfinity and now Cup, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to bring him into our system. Since we’ve gotten together with Ford and HighPoint, we’ve been able to do great things with Chase and I feel there are more great things ahead of us.”
For Briscoe, moving to the Cup Series driving for Stewart is a dream come true. The Indiana-native grew up idolizing the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.
“Growing up in Indiana and racing sprint cars, the guy I always looked up to was Tony Stewart. To be able to drive for him is a dream come true,” Briscoe said. “Tony and Gene have built something really special in Stewart-Haas Racing. Being a part of it in the Xfinity Series and now, the NASCAR Cup Series, has always been my goal. HighPoint and Ford created this opportunity, and my parents, my wife, and Briggs and Beth Cunningham, helped position me for this opportunity. Their support means everything, and it’s all the fuel I need to compete at the Cup level.”
Briscoe joins a team, which saw all four of their cars reach the Playoffs in 2020. He will be the teammate of Kevin Harvick, Cole Custer and Aric Almirola.
The team did not reveal the crew chief for Briscoe next season, and they also will have to address what the future holds for their NASCAR Xfinity Series program. But for now, it’s all about Briscoe rise to the Cup Series.
1?? 4?? – The torch has been passed. @ChaseBriscoe5, take the reigns. pic.twitter.com/DNBmybpAhX
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) October 20, 2020
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