Chase Briscoe, a veteran NASCAR driver who competes in the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, says the thrill of deer hunting in his North Carolina backyard now rivals – and may even surpass – the excitement of driving at nearly 200 mph on the track.
Why hunting feels like a new kind of race
Briscoe explained that after racing 38 weekends a year, the constant high‑speed action can start to feel routine. “You know, the racing deal, I do it so often,” he said. “We race 38 weekends a year that, truthfully, the adrenaline kind of goes away because you do it all the time.”
He added that stepping onto a hunting stand provides a rush he describes as “like a drug I can’t get rid of.” The outdoor pursuit, he says, brings back the raw excitement he first felt as a child fishing with his grandfather at a pond in Indiana.
Family time in the woods
Briscoe and his wife, Marissa, bought roughly 30 acres in North Carolina that are abundant with deer. The family now uses the land as a weekend getaway, allowing the driver to escape the hectic NASCAR schedule and spend quality time with his three children.
Even his four‑year‑old son, Brooks, has taken to the sport. “Brooks is ate up with it,” Briscoe said, noting that the boy’s first hunting outing resulted in a buck, and last year he shot a doe on his own. While Briscoe admits his son needed help on the shot, he’s proud that the youngster is already out‑shooting his dad.
Beyond the buck
For Briscoe, the appeal isn’t about trophies but about creating lasting memories away from screens and distractions. “There are so many distractions in today’s world with phones and tablets and TV,” he said. “Getting them outside and away from those distractions lets us make great memories together.”
The driver also shared his future outdoor goals, including an elk hunt and trying archery hunting for larger game. He hopes to bring Brooks along, noting the boy’s boundless energy would be perfect for the hiking involved.
Connecting sport and tradition
Briscoe’s story highlights how a professional athlete can find balance by returning to traditional family activities like hunting and fishing. It underscores the importance of parental involvement in outdoor recreation, a value many families cherish across the country.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
