Joe Gibbs Racing at Atlanta is a story of dominance, aiming to extend their legacy with another victory at EchoPark Speedway this weekend. With a history of strong performances, the team’s drivers are set to chase more wins and top results in one of the most anticipated races of the season.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Legacy at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has a formidable record at EchoPark Speedway, earning six wins at the Hampton, Georgia circuit, including two since the track’s reconfiguration in 2022. Across 85 combined starts at the venue, JGR drivers have achieved 27 top-five finishes, 47 top-tens, eight pole positions, and led a total of 1,091 laps. The list of JGR victors at Atlanta includes big names such as Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and John Hunter Nemechek. In JGR’s most recent outing at the track, Taylor Gray secured a strong fifth place, with Aric Almirola contributing a seventh-place finish and 48 laps led, underlining the team’s sustained prowess at Atlanta.
Previewing William Sawalich’s Challenge at EchoPark
William Sawalich, piloting the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota GR Supra, prepares for his next Atlanta start following three previous NASCAR national series appearances at EchoPark Speedway. His best result to date is ninth place in last year’s spring NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, showing steady progression. Sawalich enters Atlanta after a Daytona effort where he started fourth and spent much of the race near the front, leading two laps before an incident midway ended his day in 26th position.
Sawalich continues his second season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series under the guidance of experienced crew chief Jeff Meendering. Meendering has claimed 10 Xfinity Series wins as a crew chief, most recently reaching Victory Lane with Chandler Smith at Richmond in March 2024. Over his career, his teams have racked up 79 top-fives, 158 top-tens, and 17 poles, reflecting a track record of consistency and competitiveness.
The No. 18 team is sponsored by SoundGear, recognized for innovation in hearing protection and enhancement. Founded in 2010 and manufactured by Starkey in Minnesota, SoundGear products deliver digital sound enhancement and advanced environmental awareness features, suitable for a range of industries including motorsports.
Gio Ruggiero Faces Double Duty Weekend
Gio Ruggiero enters EchoPark Speedway for his first O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at the track, having previously competed at Atlanta in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In 2025, Ruggiero qualified 22nd in the Truck Series and finished a solid 11th. The upcoming weekend is significant, with Ruggiero slated to run both the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, representing Tricon Garage and Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 First Auto Group Toyota GR Supra. This marks his final scheduled O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start for JGR in the 2026 season.
Ruggiero carries momentum from a runner-up finish in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Daytona, followed by a breakthrough ARCA Menards Series victory on the superspeedway—his first win with Joe Gibbs Racing. Later the same night, he debuted in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, but his run was cut short by a multi-car crash on lap 29 while he drove mid-pack.
At the helm of Ruggiero’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts is crew chief Seth Chavka, who enters his third consecutive year guiding the No. 19 car. Chavka’s impact was evident last year, as the team captured three victories with Aric Almirola, ultimately securing the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Owners Championship for JGR during 2025.
Brandon Jones Returns to His Roots at Atlanta
Brandon Jones, driving the No. 20 Watts/Menards Toyota GR Supra, is no stranger to EchoPark Speedway, arriving with 15 career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the venue. Jones’ best Atlanta finish remains fourth in 2019, and he has accumulated one top-five, four top-tens, and 17 laps led. Since the track’s overhaul, he has notched two additional top-tens, with a highest finish of seventh. This race weekend is particularly meaningful as Jones races close to his childhood home—he grew up in Atlanta before relocating to North Carolina as a teen to pursue professional racing.
Jones opened his 2026 season at Daytona, where he started 15th and quickly proved his pace, finishing eighth in stage one and 13th in stage two before a late-race incident relegated him to 30th. As he celebrates his 29th birthday on February 18th, Jones looks to pivot momentum in front of his home crowd.
Jones teams up again with crew chief Sam McAulay for their second season together, with McAulay entering his third year leading the No. 20 team. Last year’s campaign was a successful one, securing McAulay’s first two O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victories and consistent top-10 results, ending the year sixth in the Owner’s Championship. The team’s growth points to further potential as the season unfolds.
Jones benefits from the unwavering support of Menards, the home improvement retailer that has been with him since his debut O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start in 2015. Watts Water Technologies also features on the car as a sponsor, bringing more than 140 years of expertise in water management solutions that prioritize efficiency, safety, and environmental stewardship.
Taylor Gray Leads the Charge Following Recent Top Finish
Taylor Gray, in the No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota GR Supra, is coming off a fifth place at EchoPark Speedway last July—his best result in three O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the track. Consistent in qualifiers, Gray has started seventh or better in all of his appearances, including qualifying second in September 2024. He also posted a strong fourth-place result in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at Atlanta that February. Gray’s 2026 season began at Daytona, where an early accident ended his run in 28th.
Guiding Gray’s efforts is veteran crew chief Jason Ratcliff, who holds the record for most wins by a crew chief in Xfinity Series history. Ratcliff celebrated his first win as a crew chief at EchoPark Speedway with Jamie McMurray on October 26, 2002, making this venue significant in his storied career.
Significance and What Lies Ahead for Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing at Atlanta has built a reputation for consistent excellence and resilience at EchoPark Speedway, shaped by the experience of drivers like Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, John Hunter Nemechek, and a new generation featuring Taylor Gray, Brandon Jones, William Sawalich, and Gio Ruggiero. With top-tier crew chiefs like Jeff Meendering, Seth Chavka, Sam McAulay, and Jason Ratcliff steering their respective teams, the depth of talent both on and off the track remains a driving force for JGR’s ongoing success.
As the weekend approaches, all eyes are on JGR to see if they can add another chapter to their Atlanta legacy. Their performance will influence not only the standings in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, but also the trajectory of promising talents and the momentum of key partners like SoundGear, Menards, and Watts. With each race, the stakes and excitement grow, underscoring the energy and ambition that define Joe Gibbs Racing’s pursuit of another victory at EchoPark Speedway.
