BKR's Take on Trucks - Briscoe ready to take on Kansas

This week, Motorsport.com continues its series of exclusive content for fans to learn more about members of Brad Keselowski Racing. This week we catch up with Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford F-150.

1. What are your expectations at Kansas Speedway this Friday?

I’m just excited to get back to a racetrack after the long break we’ve had since Martinsville. I’m looking forward to racing at Kansas Speedway, to getting back out there and competing. I feel good about our chances to be fast in our Cooper Standard Ford F-150 this weekend at Kansas.

2. How do you feel your season has gone after the first three races of the season?

One thing I love about driving for Brad Keselowski Racing is I know we have fast trucks each time we go to the track; that’s been the case in every race so far this year. We’ve had speed everywhere. Earlier this season at Atlanta Motor Speedway, we were fastest in practice and qualified fourth, so I feel we have a good intermediate track package.  Hopefully that will continue to be the case this week at Kansas.

3. How tough has the long break between races been for you?

It’s hard to build any early season momentum when you have the long breaks that we’ve had between the first four races. We’re getting ready to have six races in seven weeks. Hopefully as we start racing more regularly, I’ll be able to get into a rhythm behind the wheel and keep improving every race.

4. Will your ARCA experience at Kansas help you?

As for racing at Kansas last year and winning the ARCA Series race, that weekend was a big blur for me because we had a short practice. I think I’ll still have a learning curve racing there in my Cooper Standard Ford, but I remember some of the characteristics of the track. Austin [Cindric, teammate] and I finished first and second and we’ve talked a little about racing there in ARCA cars last year, but not a lot.

5. How much help will it be for both of you to have veteran crew chiefs leading your teams?

I feel like Mike [Hillman Jr.] and I hit it off really well from the first time we met and started working together. We communicate well on and off the track, and I enjoy spending as much time as I do working with him on our truck at the racetrack. Mike has seen it all in the sport and has been at it a long time and nothing surprises him. For me as a rookie driver, that is a big benefit to have an experienced crew chief leading the team and calling the shots.  

6. One of your affiliates on the No. 29 truck this season is Accelerate Manufacturing. How did that come about?

Accelerate Manufacturing will be on our No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford all season. This is an initiative by Cooper Standard to educate students and young adults about the opportunities that are available for careers in manufacturing. Cooper Standard wanted to use our NASCAR Camping World Truck Series program to help bring attention to all the jobs that modern manufacturing encompasses, and that there are opportunities available at all education and skill levels. They are also very focused on STEM and have programs to get kids involved in science, technology, engineering and math at a young age, which fits together well with racing.