Brent Crews, a prodigy slated to make his mark with Joe Gibbs Racing, is preparing for his highly anticipated series debut at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) this Saturday, eager to build on his storied career by aiming for a win. As Brent Crews’ racing debut takes center stage, the young driver’s remarkable path from Charlotte suburbs to the historic Texas track aligns with high expectations from both his team and mentors.
A Childhood Marked by Determination and Competitive Spirit
Brent Crews was never intimidated by competition, securing three world karting championships by the age of nine. Despite having no family history in motorsports, Crews discovered his love for the sport after finding team play in football and soccer unfulfilling, driven by a personal hunger to win. Matt Lankford, Crews’ stepfather and a crucial figure in his career, recognized Brent’s singular motivation early on.
“My dad came to me and saw me get super upset about wanting to win so much, and none of my teammates cared about winning, and he was like, ‘Do you want to play a sport where it’s you versus everyone else?’ I said yes, and he took me to the race track.”
— Brent Crews
Lankford introduced Crews to the newly opened Trackhouse Motorplex, marking the start of a journey that would span continents. From Brazil to France, Germany to Switzerland, Crews raced against elite contemporaries like NASCAR’s Connor Zilisch and Formula One’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Early Influences and Racing Milestones
A pivotal moment came during a 2019 Outlaw Kart race at Millbridge Speedway, where Crews competed fiercely against Kyle Larson. Seeing his stepson’s deep disappointment with third place despite racing against perhaps the world’s best underscored Brent’s unique perspective.
“I was as excited as you could possibly be just that we finished third,”
Matt Lankford said.
“On the way home, he was like, ‘What are you so excited about?’ There was nothing in his mind that was OK. I said, ‘The guy that beat you is literally the best driver in the world.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, but I race at this track every week, and he comes here twice per year — I should beat him.’ That was when I noticed he thinks about this differently than somebody normal probably would.”
— Matt Lankford
From there, Lankford became convinced that Brent’s mindset set him apart.
“When I realized that’s how he looked at things, as I digested it all, I knew we were probably going to be doing this for a while.”
— Matt Lankford
Notably, at just 14, Crews became the youngest winner in Trans-Am TA2 history and went on to claim the next season’s championship. He also chalked up victories in 410-winged sprint cars and on the asphalt at Hickory Speedway, showing versatility across disciplines that recalls the career-building strategies of figures like Tony Stewart and Christopher Bell.
Learning From Racing’s Best and Embracing Diverse Challenges
Keeping an eye on the paths charted by Kyle Larson, Tony Stewart, and Christopher Bell, Lankford encouraged Brent to take on every racing opportunity. This approach mirrors the way top drivers, including Alex Bowman, seek out competition in varied formats.
“You see guys like Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Christopher Bell — all of those guys want to race anything they can, and I think that gives you an edge on everyone else.”
— Brent Crews
Crews signed a multiyear deal with Toyota Racing in 2023 as a developmental driver, quickly making his mark by securing a win in only his second ARCA Menards Series start. Success piled up through 2024 and 2025 with numerous trophies, and his debut NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season in 2025 saw two top-five finishes for Tricon Garage, further establishing his promise.
Step Up to NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
With his impressive progression, Brent Crews is now set for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Reigning champion Jesse Love described Brent’s unique developmental route:
“The path [Crews] took growing up was running Milbridge, go karts, late models and Trans Am, is probably the best development path that any driver has ever had,”
Jesse Love told NASCAR.com.
“I think Brent’s natural ability is unbelievable. If Brent can have the right people in his corner and learn the right things quickly and not make a bunch of mistakes, he could be as good as anybody and be a threat for the championship.”
— Jesse Love
Due to age restrictions—Crews turns 18 on March 30, 2026—he will miss four of the first six O’Reilly races, making COTA his official debut. Watching friends like Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch excel from the sidelines has only fueled his competitive desire.
Lankford noted the impact of waiting:
“He has almost gone completely crazy having to watch his friends race the last few years,”
said Lankford.
“I think he will be fine. He has always raced with guys that were older than him, with the way it shook out with what we were trying to do.”
— Matt Lankford
Confidence in Team and Personal Approach
Crews enters the COTA weekend bolstered by the No. 19 team’s 2025 owner’s championship. He’s confident in their ability to contest for deep postseason runs and sees the race as his time to prove himself among the likes of Shane van Gisbergen and Hill.
“I think what Jesse said is right,”
Crews stated.
“I don’t have any goals set out: wins or make the championship. Our goal is to give 100% every single week. We are going to prepare to the highest intensity level.”
— Brent Crews
Perspectives on Pressure and Rising to the Occasion
Pressure is nothing new for Crews, who appears unfazed by the expectations ahead of COTA. Lankford recalled that Brent only recently experienced true pressure in a context outside motorsports: putting for $200 on a golf course.
“I’ve been in that situation since I can remember,”
Crews explained, reflecting on his upbringing.
“My dad always said if I didn’t go out there and dominate in this series, I wasn’t going to be able to go to the next one. I’ve been used to that since I was 10 or 11, so this is just the next step at a higher level in front of more people. I’m excited to be able to show what I can do in front of a bigger crowd.”
— Brent Crews
COTA: A Familiar Battleground
Returning to COTA, where he once clinched a win in TA2, Crews is seeking to replicate the type of debut performance achieved by Zilisch at Watkins Glen International. His goal: to become only the eighth driver to capture victory on their first outing in the series.
“If you don’t have an expectation to win everywhere you go, then what are you showing up for?”
Crews said.
“Especially COTA, where it’s what I grew up doing. I have a lot of confidence there, more than a lot of places.”
— Brent Crews
The field is deep, including friends and formidable opponents such as Connor Zilisch, Shane van Gisbergen, and Hill, each of whom Crews knows well. Yet, Lankford’s confidence in his stepson remains high.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he goes and wins at COTA,”
Lankford said.
“He gets around there pretty good, and the team gets around everywhere good. You put all of those pieces together, and he should be able to have some success.”
— Matt Lankford
What Lies Ahead for Brent Crews
With a track record of blending innate skill, persistent drive, and high-level mentorship from figures like Matt Lankford and inspiration from legends such as Kyle Larson, Brent Crews approaches his racing debut with a winning mindset. Saturday’s event at Circuit of The Americas will reveal if Crews can translate his lifetime of preparation and confidence into an immediate triumph at the highest levels of NASCAR competition. Success at COTA could establish Crews not just as Toyota Racing’s next star, but as a championship contender in American motorsport’s upper echelon.
