Joe Gibbs Racing Brent Crews underwent a scheduled shoulder surgery this week, planned deliberately for the off-season to give the young driver time to recover fully without missing any on-track activity. The team clarified the reasons behind the operation after a viral social media video sparked speculation among NASCAR fans and followers, emphasizing that the procedure was preventive and not the result of a sudden injury.
Team Addresses Speculation About Crews’ Shoulder Surgery
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) confirmed that Brent Crews’ shoulder surgery was conducted to tackle ongoing discomfort he experienced during the racing season, rather than to treat an emergency or a new injury. The 17-year-old, already a notable member of Toyota Racing Development’s TD2 program, shared a video from his hospital bed earlier in the week, leading to widespread reactions and questions about the timing and cause of the surgery. Notably, Jesse Love, a close friend of Crews and the 2025 Xfinity Series champion, responded publicly to the post. JGR, however, moved quickly to end speculation about any urgent medical concerns.
“There was no urgency or specific injury that caused the need, and the decision to undergo surgery was based on recovery time availability, rather than any type of medical urgency,”
Joe Gibbs Racing told TobyChristie.com.
The organization indicated that choosing the off-season for the operation would allow Crews to finish rehab and regain full fitness ahead of the 2026 racing calendar. This calculated approach ensures he avoids missing competitive events and aligns with Crews’ focus on continuing his development in top-level series.
Brent Crews’ Rising Profile and Recent Achievements
Throughout the past year, Brent Crews distinguished himself as a front-runner in the ARCA Series, claiming victories at high-profile tracks including Phoenix, Rockingham, IRP, Springfield, and Bristol. By sweeping the two Phoenix races and scoring consistent wins, he cemented his reputation as a significant prospect for both Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota’s driver pipeline. These accomplishments have placed him prominently within the Toyota Driver Development Program and marked him as one of the sport’s most promising young racers.
Crews’ ambitions extended beyond driving for established teams. He announced the formation of Brent Crews Motorsports in the middle of the season, a project that reflected his lifelong curiosity about building and running his own race cars. With the support of Pristine Auction among others, Crew acquired a truck and entered selected NASCAR Truck Series events, making his team debut at Watkins Glen last August. This move allowed him to compete in road course events, gaining broader experience ahead of potential full-time engagements.
Future Plans and Uncertain 2026 Schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing
While Crews has seen part-time action in both the ARCA and NASCAR Truck Series, his 2026 plans with Joe Gibbs Racing have yet to be confirmed. During his ten starts in the Truck Series this season, competing with Tricon Garage, he impressed by contending for wins at the Charlotte ROVAL and Martinsville, often running alongside or against teammates such as Corey Heim. A mechanical setback unfortunately led to a 28th place finish at the Craftsman Truck Series championship event, epitomizing a season marked by both promise and challenging lessons. Crews reflected that valuable truck experience contributed to his performance in ARCA competition.
Industry sources, including Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, have discussed the likelihood of Crews moving up to a full-time NASCAR O’Reilly (Xfinity) Series seat with Joe Gibbs Racing after turning 18 next March. Rumors also suggest that, in addition to a full-time schedule, he may continue select appearances in his self-owned No. 70 Toyota Tundra truck, further broadening his already impressive motorsports résumé.
As speculation continues, Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to provide official confirmation on the specifics of Crews’ schedule for the coming year. The North Carolina-born driver remains a central figure in ongoing discussions, underlining his rapid rise through the ranks and the attention surrounding his next steps in professional racing and with Joe Gibbs Racing Brent Crews.
Offseason activities… pic.twitter.com/uTK06RRmUd
— Brent Crews (@BrentCrews11) November 13, 2025
