Briscoe Discusses Qualifying Struggles, Reacts to Harvick's Random Draw Idea

NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe opens up about the challenges of qualifying early and shares his thoughts on Kevin Harvick's proposal for a random draw format.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:25pm

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Chase Briscoe, the NASCAR Cup Series driver, recently spoke about the struggles of qualifying early for races, where the track conditions can be less favorable compared to later in the session. Briscoe also responded to fellow driver Kevin Harvick's suggestion of a random draw for qualifying order, stating that he prefers the current system where drivers determine their own destiny, even though it can be disadvantageous at certain tracks.

Why it matters

Qualifying order can have a significant impact on a driver's performance, and Briscoe's comments shed light on the nuances of this aspect of NASCAR racing. The discussion around a potential change to a random draw format highlights the ongoing debate within the sport about the best way to determine starting positions.

The details

Briscoe explained that being one of the first cars to qualify, such as at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, can put him at a disadvantage due to the track being hotter and dirtier. He said the track conditions improve as more cars run, and the later qualifiers often have an advantage. Regarding Harvick's proposal for a random draw, Briscoe said he prefers the current system, even though it can be challenging at some tracks, because it allows drivers to determine their own destiny rather than being at the mercy of a random draw.

  • Briscoe spoke about the qualifying struggles during an interview on The Gluckcast podcast on March 12, 2026.
  • The discussion about a potential change to a random draw format for qualifying order came in response to comments made by Kevin Harvick.

The players

Chase Briscoe

A NASCAR Cup Series driver who is discussing the challenges of qualifying early and sharing his thoughts on the potential for a random draw format.

Kevin Harvick

A veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver who has proposed the idea of a random draw for determining qualifying order.

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What they’re saying

“Some tracks are more aggressive than others. But Vegas, for example, if you're that first car after qualify, the track is really, really hot just because they literally get done with practice. I think there's five minutes in between. Then you go straight onto the race track, and the track is dirty.”

— Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

“I don't know if I like the random deal because then you're just at the mercy of the pill draw. At least now you do determine your own destiny. …I like how they do it now. It does stink at some race tracks if you go out early, but it's better than a random pill draw, at least for me.”

— Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

What’s next

Briscoe will look to bounce back from his recent struggles when he competes in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 17, 2026.

The takeaway

Briscoe's comments highlight the nuanced challenges of qualifying early in NASCAR races, where track conditions can play a significant role in a driver's performance. While the current system allows drivers to determine their own destiny, the discussion around a potential random draw format underscores the ongoing debate within the sport about the best way to set starting positions.