Brent Crews made headlines today announcing his own NASCAR Truck Series team, but the buzz quickly shifted to confusion after reports tied Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love to the project. Hours before the ARCA Menards Series race at Iowa, all three drivers took to social media to correct the record. While the friendships are real, neither Zilisch nor Love have an official role in Crews’ new operation. The misunderstanding highlighted how easily big news in NASCAR’s next-generation driver circle can take unexpected turns.
Key Highlights
Brent Crews announced a new Truck Series team debuting at Watkins Glen.
Early reports wrongly linked Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love as “executives.”
Crews clarified that both are friends only, with no official involvement.
Zilisch also released a statement confirming the misunderstanding.
All three drivers remain highly regarded as future Cup Series talents.
Brent Crews Clears Up Truck Team Announcement Confusion
Seventeen-year-old Brent Crews turned heads by announcing plans to start his own NASCAR Truck Series team, set to debut at Watkins Glen. The bold move generated plenty of headlines, but confusion soon followed when reports claimed fellow young stars Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love had “executive” roles in the team. Hours later, Crews took to social media to explain the situation, saying the initial report stretched the truth.
“Connor and Jesse are great friends of mine, but we went a little overboard in exaggerating their roles. To be clear, they have no official capacity, other than they are friends who want me to do well.” – Brent Crews
The clarification was important not only for accuracy but also due to the manufacturer differences involved. Crews is tied to Toyota, while Zilisch and Love are Chevrolet drivers under Trackhouse and Richard Childress Racing affiliations. NASCAR’s competitive landscape leaves little room for cross-manufacturer confusion, and today’s quick statements ensured no long-term misunderstanding lingered.
Connor Zilisch Responds to Reports Linking Him to Crews’ Team
Zilisch, preparing for his own race weekend in Iowa, issued a statement of his own to calm the waters. The 17-year-old rising star is currently racing with JR Motorsports under the Chevrolet banner and chasing a potential fourth consecutive win in ARCA competition. Being linked to another manufacturer’s program caused enough chatter that he stepped in with his version of events.
“There was a misunderstanding in conversations with Brent’s new truck team and me being an executive. I’m excited to cheer him on as a friend next weekend at Watkins and I’m pumped to go for 4 in a row this weekend in Iowa with JRM, Chevy, and Trackhouse!” – Connor Zilisch
The correction put an end to speculation about a broader collaboration among the three teenage standouts. The drivers remain close friends, but there is no professional alliance in Crews’ newly formed team. Sources within both Toyota and Chevrolet circles reportedly wanted the issue clarified quickly to avoid any manufacturer conflicts heading into future NASCAR ladder series events.
Young Talents Navigating Big Expectations
While the social media mix-up dominated headlines, the underlying story remains notable: a 17-year-old driver starting his own Truck Series operation. Crews has already built a reputation for aggressiveness and road course expertise, and fielding his own Toyota entry for Watkins Glen highlights both ambition and confidence. Zilisch, meanwhile, continues to impress with JR Motorsports and Trackhouse support, building a résumé that has many projecting him as a future Cup contender.
Jesse Love, another rising Chevrolet-backed talent, is also widely viewed as part of NASCAR’s next wave of star drivers. Watching these three navigate major career moves, manufacturer ties, and public perception offers a glimpse of how complex early careers can be in today’s NASCAR landscape. Misunderstandings aside, they remain linked by friendship and shared goals of breaking into the sport’s highest level in the coming years.
News in Brief: Brent Crews Announcement Confusion
Brent Crews’ announcement of his self-owned Truck Series team created initial confusion after reports tied Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love to executive roles. Hours before the ARCA race at Iowa, all three drivers issued statements clarifying that only Crews is involved professionally, while Zilisch and Love are friends supporting his debut. Manufacturer affiliations added urgency to the correction, preventing speculation of cross-brand collaboration. Despite the misunderstanding, Crews, Zilisch, and Love remain NASCAR’s most hyped young prospects.
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