Rookie Rumble: Two full-time drivers prepare to compete for Rookie of the Year
Just two drivers this season will vie for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors – Front Row Motorsports Anthony Alfredo and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe.

Chase Briscoe (No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford) – Despite not winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship last season, Chase Briscoe had one of the most successful Xfinity seasons all-time. He led the series in wins with nine victories, qualified for the Playoffs and earned a spot in the Championship 4 round ultimately finishing fourth in the final standings.

This season, Briscoe will be replacing the retired Clint Bowyer in the No. 14 Ford and will be paired with crew chief John Klausmeier. Briscoe has already won the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors and the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year award. Briscoe is looking to become just the second driver to earn Sunoco Rookie of the Year in all three NASCAR national series; joining Erik Jones. 

Briscoe will have his work cut out for him this weekend at Daytona. The Indiana native has made four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Daytona posting a best finish of third last summer.

Anthony Alfredo (No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford) – After making a splash in the NASCAR Xfinity Series on just a part-time schedule with Richard Childress Racing, Anthony Alfredo has been called up to the NASCAR Cup Series to replace John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford in the 2021 season. Alfredo’s stint of 19 starts in the Xfinity Series was short but impactful. He posted two top fives and nine top 10s; including a third-place finish at Texas (career-best).

Now as Alfredo steps into the No. 38 he has a shot at broadening his skills and battling for a championship in the NASCAR Cup Series. Alfredo will be working with crew chief Seth Barbour, who he will have to lean on this weekend because Alfredo has made just one NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Daytona International Speedway posting a 21st-place finish.

COURTESY NASCAR INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS