Joe Gibbs Racing has finalized its 2026 lineup for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, naming Brent Crews as the full-time driver of the No. 19 Toyota. This move marks a shift from last season, as the team opts for a consistent fourth driver alongside returning talents William Sawalich, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray, strengthening Joe Gibbs Racing’s 2026 lineup.
Brent Crews Joins Joe Gibbs Racing’s 2026 Driver Roster
In previous years, Joe Gibbs Racing fielded the No. 19 car as a shared seat, rotating various drivers throughout the season, including several NASCAR Cup Series regulars. However, the team has now secured Brent Crews for a full-time position behind the wheel of the No. 19 machine for 2026. He will compete with experienced drivers: William Sawalich driving the No. 18 Toyota, Brandon Jones in the No. 20 Toyota, and Taylor Gray piloting the No. 54 Toyota, establishing a stable and youthful lineup.
An initial complication exists: Crews turns 18 on March 30, just after the season’s early races. Due to age restrictions, he is ineligible to participate on oval tracks longer than 1.25 miles until his birthday, limiting his early season schedule.
Crews Set to Debut at Circuit of the Americas
Gio Ruggiero, a full-time Craftsman Truck Series competitor with Toyota’s TRICON Garage, opened the 2026 season in the No. 19 car, taking on Daytona International Speedway and EchoPark Speedway. Unfortunately, Ruggiero’s campaign was derailed by a wreck at Daytona and a 24th-place finish in Atlanta, positioning the No. 19 team 36th in the owner standings after two races.
With the season’s first road course at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on the horizon this Saturday, the team will see Crews make his NASCAR O’Reilly Series debut. His prior national series experience consists of ten Truck Series starts last year, including nine with TRICON Garage and one for Brent Crews Motorsports. Notably, Crews achieved second place in a Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval race and claimed fourth at Martinsville Speedway, signaling promise on road courses and shorter ovals. He also boasts six wins in the ARCA Menards Series.
Navigating Age Limits and Early-Season Opportunities
Due to his age, Crews cannot compete in races at some larger ovals until after his birthday. For instance, following his debut at COTA, he is set to race at Phoenix Raceway‘s 1.022-mile oval, but must sit out events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5 miles) and Darlington Raceway (1.366 miles). Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to name a replacement for Las Vegas, while Cup Series driver Christopher Bell will fill in at Darlington. Seth Chavka will guide the No. 19 team as full-time crew chief.
Even though Crews will remain 17 for the March 28 Martinsville event, he is eligible to race there since the track is only 0.526 miles long. After his 18th birthday, Crews is scheduled to participate in every remaining event of the regular season.
Playoff Possibilities and Season Outlook
Circumstances mean Crews will miss four of the 24 scheduled regular season races, but he is expected to receive a playoff waiver. If he secures a top-12 standings finish, he can still compete for a championship spot in the nine-race postseason, provided he makes the cut despite his absence from the early oval races.
Fans will be able to watch Crews’ much-anticipated debut this Saturday in the Focused Health 250, broadcast live on the CW Network from COTA at 3:00 p.m. ET. The spotlight is now on Joe Gibbs Racing’s 2026 lineup as the season unfolds, with observers eager to see how Brent Crews and his teammates perform in a critical year for the team’s long-term development and competitiveness.
