Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

James Small scolds Chase Briscoe for pit road mistake during Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 5:46 PM ET

Tensions are high today in Indianapolis. The pole-sitter, Chase Briscoe, is doing his best to stay in contention for the win. However, on a pit stop in Stage 2, crew chief James Small had to get onto his driver for missing his mark. The Brickyard 400 is all about perfection.

Drivers have to be perfect on the track and on pit road, especially. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a narrow track. We have seen racing get strung out and single-file in the past; that’s why the road course era was a thing.

Today, pit stops have to be done perfectly. Any mistakes cost time and track position. For the Indiana native, Chase Briscoe, he can’t afford mistakes if he wants to kiss the bricks later today.

“Way too f*cking far away from the wall, Chase,” James Small told his driver after the pit stop, via John Newby. Things are starting to heat up.

"Way too f*cking far away from the wall, Chase," James Small says after the pit stop.
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) July 27, 2025

Chase Briscoe has won the pole award for all three Crown Jewel races this season. He did it at the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and now the Brickyard 400. However, when he wins the pole, he doesn’t always have the best finish.

James Small has done a lot to help Briscoe get acclimated to his No. 19 Toyota Camry. There were so many differences between the Stewart-Haas Fords and how that team handled itself, and how Joe Gibbs Toyotas and their processes are.

Chase Briscoe fighting to get back to front

All afternoon long, Chase Briscoe has fought to get back up towards the front. Falling off the pace, his strategy early on wasn’t working out. Crew chief James Small had to make adjustments to his plans. This team has been working hard today in Indy.

Being from Indiana makes this race even more important for Briscoe. He was able to start on the pole and win the first stage. Since then, it has been struggle. With that win at Pocono earlier this season, Indy should fit right into the same strengths. For the most part, they have, but the team hasn’t executed as well this weekend.

Chase Briscoe has grown a lot as a driver this season. However, there is more growth and development. This team is still relatively new. When they start to get things clicking on a weekly basis, the race wins are going to come in bunches.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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