NASCAR’s Next Generation: Teen Phenomenon Brent Crews Joins Joe Gibbs Racing for 2026
Every once in a while, there’s a name that stands out and carries undeniable promise. It’s a murmur at first, then a buzz, and before you know it, it’s a full-blown roar. Right now, that name is Brent Crews.
At just 17 years old, this kid isn’t just knocking on the door of NASCAR’s big leagues. He’s getting ready to kick it clean off its hinges. Joe Gibbs Racing, a team that knows a thing or two about spotting and grooming champions, has officially inked a deal with Crews. The plan?
To unleash him in the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for 29 races in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, or what we old-school followers still call the Xfinity Series. It’s a massive vote of confidence, a sign that one of the sport’s powerhouse teams sees what the rest of us have been watching with wide eyes: Brent Crews is the real deal.
The Rapid Rise of a Racing Prodigy
To say Brent Crews has an impressive resume is like saying a stock car is a little bit loud. It’s a massive understatement. This isn’t some flash-in-the-pan story. Crews has been methodically, and at times breathtakingly, climbing the ladder.
He’s been a Toyota Development Driver for five years, a partnership that has clearly paid dividends. Look at the hardware and the records he’s already collected. In 2023, he became the youngest-ever Trans-Am TA2 Series Champion.
Think about that. He conquered a series known for its grizzled veterans and intense wheel-to-wheel action before he could even legally vote. He followed that up in 2024 by winning the World Series of Asphalt Super Late Model Championship and snagging the Rookie of the Year award in the ultra-competitive CARS Tour with three wins.
But his versatility is what really turns heads. He’s not just a pavement specialist. Go back to 2021, and you’ll find a 13-year-old Brent Crews becoming the youngest driver ever to win a POWRi National Midget Series race. Dirt, ovals, road courses, it doesn’t seem to matter. If it has four wheels and an engine, Crews can make it dance.
What Makes Brent Crews Ready for the Big Show?
The 2025 season was a preview of what’s to come. While running a part-time schedule, Crews absolutely dominated the ARCA Menards Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. He won his debut at Phoenix and went on to collect a staggering five wins and six poles in just nine starts across ARCA’s national, East, and West platforms.
He also dipped his toes into the Craftsman Truck Series, and he didn’t just participate. He competed. In ten starts, primarily with TRICON Garage, he bagged two top-five and three top-ten finishes. He wasn’t just logging laps; he was up front, leading over 100 of them and turning heads, like with his stellar second-place finish at the Charlotte Roval.
He even became a team co-owner, showing a maturity and business savvy far beyond his years.This isn’t just about raw talent. It’s about race craft. It’s about having the feel for a car and the guts to push it to the absolute limit, and then a little bit more. It’s the kind of innate ability you see in drivers who go on to become legends of the sport.
A Perfect Fit at Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is the perfect place for a driver like Brent Crews to land. The No. 19 team, which he’ll be joining, is fresh off winning the 2025 Xfinity Series Owners Championship. It’s a winning car with a winning crew, led by the astute Seth Chavka. That team saw a rotation of veteran talent, including Aric Almirola, pilot the car to victory lane, proving the equipment is top-tier.
Now, that proven, championship-winning ride is being handed to a 17-year-old. It’s a statement. JGR isn’t just giving him a seat; they’re giving him the keys to a rocket ship. Steve de Souza, JGR’s Executive Vice President, put it simply: “He showed a lot of success in our equipment… and we are confident that he will continue to be a top contender.”
Crews himself sounds ready, not cocky, but confident. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to race with a winning organization and Toyota,” he said. “I have a lot to prepare for this season, but I feel confident with all the resources that JGR and Toyota provide.”
Final Thoughts
The journey begins in 2026. Due to age restrictions, his debut will come at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), as he can race on road courses and shorter ovals before his 18th birthday on March 30th. Once he blows out those candles, he’ll take over the No. 19 full-time. The emotion, the pressure, the excitement, it’s what makes this sport great. A new chapter is about to be written, and you can bet the entire NASCAR world will be watching.
