At just 17 years old, Brent Crews is making headlines in NASCAR by launching his own Truck Series team. The No. 70 Toyota Tundra will debut at Watkins Glen, where Crews will take the wheel for its first race. While his legal ownership of the team becomes official at 18, this bold move signals a potentially new era for driver-owned efforts in NASCAR. All eyes will be on how this venture unfolds in its highly anticipated debut.
Key Highlights
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Brent Crews is starting his own NASCAR Truck Series team at age 17.
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The new team will debut at Watkins Glen with the No. 70 Toyota Tundra.
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Crews sold previous race cars to help fund the new operation.
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Pristine Auction will sponsor the debut race entry.
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Future plans for 2026 remain open, with potential full-time racing options.
A Young Driver Taking Big Steps
Few drivers have attempted to own and race their own NASCAR truck before reaching adulthood. Brent Crews is breaking that mold, creating a new team to compete in the Truck Series this season. The first appearance for the No. 70 Toyota Tundra will come at Watkins Glen, where Crews is determined to make his presence felt on the challenging road course. Alongside this new venture, he will continue his previously scheduled starts in the Tricon Garage No. 1 truck for the remainder of the season. Crews has taken personal sacrifices to make this possible, including selling off his micro sprint cars and his TA2 Trans-Am car. It’s an all-in move that shows his determination to carve his own path in NASCAR. At 17, he can’t officially hold legal ownership until next year, but for all practical purposes, the team is his to manage and drive.
Inspiration and Future Goals
Crews has cited inspiration from stories of drivers like Brian Keselowski, who famously ran their own equipment to chase racing dreams. His desire to follow that old-school, self-made path played a big role in this decision.
“I don’t really know where this is going to go, but with all the buzz around road course guys right now, it didn’t seem right to miss Watkins Glen. I love the track. … Watching on TV was NOT an option.” – Brent Crews
The move leaves many wondering what his 2026 plans might be. With his 18th birthday allowing full eligibility for all major NASCAR tracks, Crews could race full-time in the Truck or Xfinity Series. The new team may serve as a foundation for road course and short-track efforts next season, even if he pursues a full-time ride with an established organization like Joe Gibbs Racing. Owning a truck operation is costly, making it unlikely that this is just a one-off project.
Debut Race and Team Operations
The Watkins Glen event will mark the official on-track launch of the No. 70 Toyota Tundra. Pristine Auction will serve as the primary sponsor for this debut, giving Crews the backing needed to field a competitive entry. The team will operate out of the Nitro Motorsports shop for now, with further announcements about long-term plans expected soon.
The road course at Watkins Glen is a natural fit for Crews, who has shown strength in technical driving environments. His willingness to fund and lead his own team adds another layer of intrigue to this weekend’s race, raising questions about whether more drivers could follow his lead and create their own operations in the future.
News in Brief: Brent Crews’ NASCAR Team Debut
Brent Crews is launching his own NASCAR Truck Series team at 17, debuting the No. 70 Toyota Tundra at Watkins Glen this season. He has sold previous race cars to fund the effort, with Pristine Auction sponsoring the entry. While legal ownership won’t be official until he turns 18, Crews plans to manage and race the truck himself. The team operates out of Nitro Motorsports with future announcements expected soon.
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