DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Chase Briscoe made a big statement Sunday night with his second straight Southern 500 victory that he's a serious contender for the NASCAR Cup Series title.

Briscoe's team, Joe Gibbs Racing, and his manufacturer, Toyota, also made statements at Darlington Raceway that this postseason would not be a Penske-paloooza runaway like the past few.

“I think a night like tonight really gives Chase the confidence that he belongs,” crew chief James Smalls said of the first-year JGR team.

That was obvious to anyone who watched the crown jewel race. Briscoe, who qualified second, moved in front early and rarely left the front, leading for 309 of 367 laps and outlasting Tyler Reddick to back up last year's surprise victory at the track nicknamed “Too Tough To Tame” that got hi

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