Chase Briscoe Sent Response by Crew Chief in Controversial Radio Moment

In the high-octane world of NASCAR, emotions run hotter than the engines. But during the Iowa Corn 350, things got icy cold on the radio for Chase Briscoe.

After a solid run that saw the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing driver snagging a pole position and battling it out near the front, a late-race slip-up turned into one of the most savage radio shutdowns of the season.

Briscoe was having a heater of a day at Iowa Speedway. He’d already secured his sixth pole of the season and was fighting tooth and nail with William Byron. But on lap 253, disaster struck.

While maneuvering through turn 1, Briscoe got loose—just a fraction—but in NASCAR, a fraction is all it takes. He made contact with Tyler Reddick’s No. 45, sending Reddick careening into Christopher Bell. Both Reddick and Bell spun out. Briscoe? He managed to escape the chaos relatively unscathed, physically at least. Mentally, however, the guilt set in immediately.

1. The Apology That Wasn’t

We’ve all been there. You mess up, you feel terrible, and you just want to say, “My bad.” That’s exactly what Briscoe tried to do. Realizing his mistake, he hopped on the radio to his spotter, James Small, asking him to relay an apology to Reddick and Bell. He owned it completely, admitting it was “one thousand percent” his fault. A noble gesture? Sure. But James Small wasn’t having any of it. In a response that would make a drill sergeant blush, Small shut down the pity party with brutal efficiency. “Put that s*** behind you and focus on winning this f*****g race.” Ouch. Talk about tough love. Small essentially told his driver to save the tears for the post-race interviews and keep his eyes on the prize. It’s a harsh reminder that in professional racing, dwelling on a mistake for even a second can cost you the race. Small didn’t want an apology; he wanted a win.

2. Fans React to the “Tough Love” Approach

Small’s no-nonsense leadership style hasn’t exactly endeared him to everyone in the grandstands. Since taking over the box for the No. 19 team, he’s faced heavy criticism from fans who think Briscoe deserves a crew chief with a bit more warmth. Or perhaps just someone who doesn’t sound like they’re scolding a toddler. But Small doesn’t care. In a candid interview addressing the backlash, the Australian crew chief made it clear that keyboard warriors would not dictate how he ran his team. “I have people tell me. So, I’m not stupid. I never go looking; I don’t read a single comment. I’m not silly. People fill me in from time to time, and I’m like, ‘I don’t need to hear that.’” Despite the radio drama, Briscoe finished the season third in points with three wins and 15 top fives. That’s a career-best season for the JGR star. Maybe Small’s abrasive style is precisely the kind of kick in the pants the team needs to stay competitive.

3. The Aftermath: Briscoe Owns It

Even though his crew chief wouldn’t let him apologize mid-race, Briscoe made sure to clear the air once the checkered flag waved. After finishing runner-up to William Byron, Briscoe went public with his mea culpa. “First off, just want to apologize to the 45 (Tyler Reddick) and 20 (Christopher Bell). That was a really boneheaded move on my part. I got in there and got loose, ruining their day. Just 100 percent on me.” It was a class act from Briscoe, proving you can be a fierce competitor and a decent human being at the same time. As for James Small? He’s likely already moved on to the next race, leaving the apologies—and the feelings—in the rearview mirror. With the 2026 season on the horizon, kicking off with the Daytona 500 on February 15, all eyes will be on the No. 19 team. Will the tension boil over, or is this fire-and-ice dynamic the secret sauce to a championship? One thing is for sure: the radio chatter is going to be must-listen TV.

• Tags:
• Chase Briscoe