NASCAR Driver Chase Briscoe Finds Greater Thrill in Deer Hunting Than Racing

NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe has found that the thrill of deer hunting rivals, and in some ways surpasses, the adrenaline rush he experiences at nearly 200 miles per hour on the racetrack. Briscoe, who drives the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, told OutKick OutDoors that racing has become a routine due to the 38-week schedule, diminishing its adrenaline factor.

"It's the closest thing I've ever been able to come to racing, and honestly, I feel like it's surpassed racing," Briscoe said. "You know, the racing deal, I do it so often... that, truthfully, the adrenaline kind of goes away because you do it all the time."

He described the excitement from hunting as a "drug that I can't get rid of."

Briscoe's connection to the outdoors began in his childhood with fishing trips at his grandfather's pond in Indiana. This early exposure evolved into a regular pastime with friends throughout high school.

His foray into hunting began more recently after he and his family purchased approximately 30 acres in North Carolina that were abundant with deer. His first hunting experience left him immediately captivated.

"I went for the first time and just fell in love with it," he said.

Beyond the adrenaline, Briscoe appreciates hunting as a tranquil escape from the demands of his career and family life. With three children and a demanding NASCAR schedule, the quiet solitude of the outdoors provides a much-needed respite.

"For me, it's been just an amazing getaway," Briscoe said. "Just to kind of be able to get out in the outdoors and start my morning and just watch the sun come up, or just go out there and be by myself."

A Family Affair

Hunting has also become a shared activity with his four-year-old son, Brooks. Briscoe noted his son's eagerness, stating, "Brooks is ate up with it."

Brooks has already shown a remarkable aptitude for hunting. On his very first hunting trip with his father, he successfully harvested a buck. Briscoe recalled the moment as a "Hollywood story," detailing how Brooks helped sight the rifle and pull the trigger.

The following season, Brooks independently took a doe, demonstrating growing confidence and skill. Briscoe remarked that his son had already surpassed his own early hunting achievements.

For Briscoe, the emphasis is not on the size of the harvest but on the quality time spent together, creating lasting memories away from the pervasive distractions of modern life.

"There’s so many distractions in today’s world with phones and tablets and TV and just everything else," Briscoe said. "For me to be able to get them outside and just get away from all those distractions. You get to spend one-on-one time and just make a lot of great memories."

He draws parallels to his own cherished childhood memories of fishing with his grandfather, now experiencing that perspective from the other side.

Future Pursuits

Looking ahead, Briscoe expressed a desire to embark on an elk hunt in the western United States, finding the idea of bow hunting an elk at close range particularly fascinating. While acknowledging the physical demands of hiking, he remains enthusiastic about the prospect.

Should the opportunity arise, Briscoe anticipates his son Brooks would be an ideal companion for such an adventure, given his energy and developing interest in the outdoors.