Joe Gibbs Racing has announced that Gio Ruggiero will take the wheel for its No. 19 First Auto Group Toyota GR Supra in the opening two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races of the season, further expanding the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR lineup for 2025. The 19-year-old driver from Seekonk, Massachusetts, is also set to compete in six ARCA Menards Series events driving the team’s No. 18 Toyota Camry, beginning with the season-starting race at Daytona International Speedway.
Ruggiero’s Racing Success and 2025 NASCAR Plans
Gio Ruggiero has already built a notable early career, entering the 2025 season as a full-time competitor in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Last year, Ruggiero was named Rookie of the Year following an impressive campaign that included his first win at Talladega Superspeedway, tallying seven top-five finishes and 11 top-tens, and leading more than 100 laps over the series.
Reflecting on his partnership with the racing team, Ruggiero said,
“Last season gave me a great opportunity to get my feet wet with the team, and I am excited to be able to have my debut with the winningest team in the series,”
Gio Ruggiero. He added,
“Going into this season, I feel more prepared than ever, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish. This opportunity allows me to gain valuable experience on the mile-and-a-half and superspeedways, which I can then apply to the truck series. I also have so much fun driving the ARCA cars, and I can’t wait to put the No. 18 up front again,”
Gio Ruggiero.
Performance with JGR’s ARCA Menards Series Program
In preparation for the expanded role, Ruggiero participated in Joe Gibbs Racing’s ARCA Menards Series development program during 2025. He made two starts in the No. 18 car at Michigan International Speedway and Kansas Speedway, achieving top-five finishes in both races, leading more than 100 laps, and securing second place at Kansas Speedway. These performances highlighted his adaptability and readiness for higher levels of competition within the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR lineup.
Team Leadership Expresses Confidence in Ruggiero
Steve DeSouza, Executive Vice President of O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing, expressed strong support for Ruggiero’s return.
“We are thrilled to have Gio back for this upcoming season,”
Steve DeSouza. He continued,
“He showed strong progress in his limited starts with us last season, and we are excited to see what he can accomplish with more opportunities this season,”
Steve DeSouza.
Looking Ahead to an Exciting Season
With his experience at tracks like Talladega Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway, and Kansas Speedway, and his promising results as Rookie of the Year, Ruggiero’s continued involvement with Joe Gibbs Racing positions both the driver and the team for a season filled with potential milestones. As Ruggiero steps into both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series cars for 2025, enthusiasts and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this partnership evolves.
