Chase Briscoe has sent a clear message across the NASCAR Cup Series garage as the 2026 season heads into its first major short-track test. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver pointed directly at Tyler Reddick’s strong start as a key factor pushing his team. Reddick, driving for 23XI Racing, has already secured four wins in the opening six races.
Those victories came at the Daytona 500, Circuit of the Americas, and EchoPark Speedway, and most recently, the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. Both teams run Toyota equipment, yet Briscoe’s group has not turned speed into wins. As the series arrives at Martinsville Speedway, the focus shifts to whether Reddick can continue his run at a track that has not always suited him.
Chase Briscoe Explains the Gap Despite Equal Equipment
In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Briscoe said racing against a teammate in similar equipment brings a different perspective.
“When it’s your teammate, it’s a little different. He’s in a Toyota, so he has the same opportunities that we do. From a speed standpoint, I feel like we’ve been right there with Tyler. We just haven’t had the results.”
Both teams benefit from the same manufacturer support, which makes the comparison more direct. Briscoe pointed out that his team has shown pace but has not matched Reddick’s execution on race day.
Tyler Reddick’s Hot Start Puts Pressure on the NASCAR Cup Series Field
Reddick’s results have come at tracks where he has historically performed well.
“When you look at this part of the schedule, Tyler Reddick has always been one of the best at these tracks. COTA is arguably his best track. At Darlington, he’s finished second three or four times. So it hasn’t been a surprise to me that he’s winning these races.”
He also addressed the unpredictability of superspeedway races.
“Atlanta and Talladega can go either way, and he just happened to win both. Then you go to COTA, where he’s really strong, and he wins again. After that, he goes to Darlington, another track where he’s very good, and wins there too.”
Reddick’s average finish of 3.2 through six races reflects that consistency. His performance has placed pressure on other Toyota drivers and the wider NASCAR Cup Series field.
Martinsville Becomes the Key Test for Reddick’s Momentum
Briscoe said the next race at Martinsville Speedway will provide a clearer answer about Reddick’s form.
“I think this week will be the real test. Martinsville hasn’t really been Tyler’s best track. If he wins there, then I think everyone will need to start paying attention.”
He added that racing against someone in equal equipment offers a clear benchmark.
“When it’s someone in the same equipment, it’s actually encouraging because you know they have the same parts and pieces. For me, it would feel different if we were running 20th every week on speed. But I feel like we’ve been right there. We just haven’t been able to get the results.”
As teams prepare for Martinsville, Reddick’s performance will be closely watched. A strong result could further shift the early balance of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
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