AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 13, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Tony Stewart congratulates Chase Briscoe with first NASCAR win
Shane Walters
Tony Stewart went to victory lane twice as a car owner on Sunday
On Sunday, Tony Stewart was double-dipping on victories. He won as a car owner in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as NHRA.
Tony Stewart Racing Nitro went to victory lane for the first time in their debut season. Matt Hagan claimed the win in the NHRA Gator Nationals.
At the same time, Chase Briscoe drove to victory lane in the No. 14 car at Phoenix Raceway. It was his first career win in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Stewart-Haas Racing struggled through the 2021 season. Briscoe himself claimed only three top-10’s in his debut season.
Now, in race four of the 2022 season, Briscoe visited victory lane. He held off Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick to claim the race win on the 1-mile of Phoenix Raceway.
Tony Stewart wasn’t in attendance. He was in the pit area with his girlfriend and his new drag racing team as they raced to victory as well. However, Stewart sent a video to Briscoe…
Chase Briscoe comments on the conversation with Tony Stewart
Chase Briscoe’s wife made the decision to stay home with the baby. And Tony Stewart was off winning the NHRA event with his new drag racing team. However, he spoke to both over video chat from victory lane…
“I just told him, ‘thank you’. You know, for believing in me and giving me a chance to drive that car. That car is obviously his. He has a lot of passion to drive for that car. To take a chance on anther guy, kinda like himself, you know a dirt sprint car guy.”
“We grew up 45 minutes apart. My dad raced against Tony in sprint cars. I was a die-hard Tony Stewart fan growing up. For me to add my name to the list of guys that got the No. 14 car in victory lane is definitely special for me.”
“Looking back when I was 6-7 years old, wearing the Tony Stewart uniform, I never in a million years thought I would get the No. 14 car in victory lane.”
Briscoe added, “It was cool for him to call and see how excited he was.”