O’Reilly Auto Parts Series At Phoenix: Full Entry List For The GOVX 200

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Phoenix Raceway this weekend with a 40‑car field ready for one of the most demanding 1‑mile ovals on the schedule. Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. ET start on The CW, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, marks a sharp shift from last week’s road‑course event at Circuit of The Americas.

Phoenix requires a different approach: one built on patience, tire management, and the ability to survive restarts that can shuffle the field in an instant. Teams that looked strong at COTA now face a completely different test. Phoenix exposes weaknesses quickly, especially for organizations that haven’t built balanced programs for both road courses and ovals.

The dogleg, tight corners, and abrasive surface reward drivers who stay disciplined and punish those who push too hard too early. Long runs can separate the field, but late cautions often bring everyone back together, creating a race where nothing is settled until the final laps. Phoenix blends the aggression of a short track with the strategy of a larger oval.

Grip levels change throughout the night, and teams must anticipate how the track will evolve as temperatures drop. It’s a place where early‑season momentum can either build or disappear, and the drivers who adapt the quickest usually end up in contention.

A Field Loaded With Oval‑Track Firepower

This weekend’s entry list brings together a wide mix of experience levels and team strengths. JR Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Richard Childress Racing arrive with deep lineups capable of running up front. Hendrick Motorsports and Jordan Anderson Racing add intrigue with their driver choices, each bringing something different to the table.

Phoenix rewards drivers who can adjust on the fly. Some teams will focus on long‑run speed, hoping to capitalize on tire falloff. Others will build their setups around short‑run bursts, expecting cautions to keep the field bunched.

With a Cup Series driver in the mix and several young talents looking to make a statement, the margin for error shrinks considerably. Three drivers in particular stand out heading into the weekend, each for different reasons.

Drivers to Watch

William Byron: No. 88, JR Motorsports

William Byron returns to the O’Reilly Series in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, and his presence immediately changes the tone of the weekend. Byron’s experience in the Cup Series gives him a deep understanding of Phoenix, a track where precision matters more than aggression. He knows how to manage tire wear, how to approach long green‑flag stretches, and how to position himself for late‑race restarts.

Byron rarely makes mistakes at tracks like this. He reads the race well, adjusts quickly, and understands how Phoenix tightens up as the night goes on. When a driver with his résumé enters a race at this level, the rest of the field takes notice. If the race becomes a test of consistency, Byron will be one of the toughest drivers to beat.

Rajah Caruth: No. 31, Jordan Anderson Racing

Rajah Caruth makes his first O’Reilly Series start of 2026, and Phoenix is a fitting place for his return. Caruth has made steady progress over the past few seasons, and this track suits his strengths. He’s confident on corner entry, aggressive when he needs to be, and comfortable racing in tight traffic, which are all traits that matter at Phoenix.

Caruth brings energy and urgency to every race, but he has learned how to balance that with patience. Restarts at Phoenix can be chaotic, especially through the dogleg, and Caruth has shown he’s not afraid to capitalize on those moments. A strong run here would set the tone for his season and remind teams across the garage that he’s still one of the sport’s most promising young drivers.

Brent Crews: No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing

Brent Crews returns for his second O’Reilly Series start after an impressive debut at Circuit of The Americas, where he finished sixth. At just 17 years old, Crews handled his first race with the composure of someone far more experienced. He stayed out of trouble, made smart decisions, and earned respect throughout the garage.

Phoenix will test him in new ways. Longer runs, heavier traffic, and unpredictable restarts can overwhelm young drivers, but Crews has already shown he adapts quickly. His background in karting and road racing gives him strong car control, and his calm approach should serve him well. If he backs up last week’s performance with another top‑ten finish, he’ll become one of the most talked‑about young drivers in the series.

Phoenix Raceway: The History That Matters

Jesse Love won the most recent O’Reilly Series race at Phoenix, clinching the 2025 championship in the process. That victory left a lasting impression on the field, and Love returns knowing he has unfinished business this season. Phoenix has a way of highlighting both strengths and weaknesses, and drivers who understand its rhythm often find themselves near the front.

The track demands discipline. The corners are tight and unforgiving, and the straightaways offer just enough room to set up passes but also enough temptation to overdrive the entry. Tire wear becomes a major factor, especially during long green‑flag stretches. Drivers who manage their equipment well can climb steadily, while those who push too hard early often fade.

Pit strategy is crucial. A well‑timed stop can flip the running order, while a mistake on pit road can bury a strong car. Restarts are unpredictable, especially through the dogleg, where drivers spread out across the apron in search of clean air. With the championship picture still forming, the spring race carries extra weight. A bad night here can take weeks to recover from.

Why This Entry List Matters

This entry list brings together a mix of proven veterans, Cup Series talent, and young drivers looking to establish themselves. Phoenix removes the unpredictability of road courses and the pack racing of superspeedways. It’s a straightforward test of speed, discipline, and execution.

Byron’s presence in the No. 88 shows JR Motorsports’ commitment to pairing top‑tier equipment with top‑tier talent. Caruth’s return gives Jordan Anderson Racing a chance to build early momentum. And Crews enters as the wildcard a teenager with confidence, speed, and nothing to lose.

With 40 cars entered, attrition will play a role. Phoenix has a history of late‑race incidents caused by worn tires and rising tempers. The drivers who stay patient, avoid unnecessary risks, and execute their pit strategy cleanly will be the ones fighting for a strong finish.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series At Phoenix Raceway

GOVX 200: Full Entry List

1. Garrett Smithley — No. 0 — SS GreenLight Racing
2. Sheldon Creed — No. 00 — Haas Factory Team
3. Connor Zilisch — No. 1 — JR Motorsports
4. Ryan Ellis — No. 02 — Young’s Motorsports
5. Jesse Love — No. 2 — Richard Childress Racing
6. Chandler Smith — No. 5 — Hettinger Racing
7. Justin Allgaier — No. 7 — JR Motorsports
8. Josh Bilicki — No. 07 — SS‑GreenLight Racing
9. Sammy Smith — No. 8 — JR Motorsports
10. Corey Day — No. 17 — Hendrick Motorsports
11. William Sawalich — No. 18 — Joe Gibbs Racing
12. Brent Crews— No. 19 — Joe Gibbs Racing
13. Brandon Jones — No. 20 — Joe Gibbs Racing
14. Austin Hill — No. 21 — Richard Childress Racing
15. Harrison Burton — No. 24 — Sam Hunt Racing
16. Nick Sanchez — No. 25 — AM Racing
17. Dean Thompson — No. 26 — Sam Hunt Racing
18. Jeb Burton — No. 27 — Jordan Anderson Racing
19. Kyle Sieg — No. 28 — RSS Racing
20. Austin J. Hill — No. 30 — Barrett‑Cope Racing
21. Blaine Perkins — No. 31 — Jordan Anderson Racing
22. Rajah Caruth — No. 32 — Jordan Anderson Racing
23. Blake Lothian — No. 35 — Joey Gase Motorsports
24. Ryan Sieg — No. 39 — RSS Racing
25. Sam Mayer — No. 41 — Haas Factory Team
26. Nathan Byrd — No. 42 — Young’s Motorsports
27. Brennan Poole — No. 44 — Alpha Prime Racing
28. Lavar Scott — No. 45 — Alpha Prime Racing
29. Patrick Staropoli — No. 48 — Big Machine Racing
30. Jeremy Clements — No. 51 — Jeremy Clements Racing
31. Daniel Dye — No. 52 — AM Racing
32. Taylor Gray — No. 54 — Joe Gibbs Racing
33. Joey Gase — No.55 — Joey Gase Motorsports
34. Dawson Cram — No.74 — Mike Harmon Racing
35. Austin Green — No.87 — Peterson Racing Group
36. William Byron — No. 88 — JR Motorsports
37. Mason Maggio — No. 91 — DGM Racing X JIM
38. Josh Williams — No. 92 — DGM Racing X JIM
39. Anthony Alfredo — No. 96 — Viking Motorsports
40. Parker Retzlaff — No. 99 — Viking Motorsports

What This Means

Phoenix is more than just another early‑season stop. It’s a checkpoint. For Byron, it’s a chance to show his experience translates immediately. For Caruth, it’s an opportunity to reestablish himself as a rising force. For Crews, it’s a moment to prove his debut wasn’t a one‑off.

The 1‑mile oval rewards drivers who stay calm, adjust quickly, and avoid trouble. With 40 cars battling for space, the race will demand precision from start to finish. Phoenix doesn’t care about expectations. It reveals who’s ready and who still has work to do.

All Eyes On Phoenix

Saturday night at Phoenix Raceway has the potential to reshape the early direction of the 2026 season. The entry list blends Cup Series strength, hungry young talent, and newcomers eager to make their mark. William Byron brings experience that can tilt the balance.

Rajah Caruth brings determination and momentum. Brent Crews brings the confidence of a young driver who refuses to be overwhelmed. Phoenix rewards drivers who manage their equipment, stay composed through chaotic restarts, and understand how the track evolves. It has a long history of humbling favorites and elevating unexpected contenders.

When the green flag waves at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, the field will face one of the most revealing tests of the season. By the time the checkered flag falls, the sport will have a clearer sense of which drivers and teams are ready to contend and which ones will be playing catch‑up as the schedule moves forward.