Joe Gibbs Racing prepares for another strong run at Phoenix Raceway, building on its extensive history of success at the one-mile Arizona track in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. This weekend, with drivers like William Sawalich, Brent Crews, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray, the team aims to add more victories to its impressive Phoenix record, showcasing the strength of Joe Gibbs Racing at this pivotal venue.
Historic Success for Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix
Over 132 starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Phoenix Raceway, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has consistently demonstrated dominance, racking up 18 wins, 58 top-five finishes, and 93 top-10 results. The organization’s cars have started on the pole 23 times and have led a total of 3,633 laps at the track. Notable drivers like Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, Daniel Hemric, Brandon Jones, Joey Logano, Chandler Smith, Sammy Smith, and Aric Almirola have all brought JGR Toyotas to victory lane at Phoenix. Among these achievements, Hemric and Ty Gibbs claimed O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver Championships at the venue in 2021 and 2022, demonstrating the depth and strength of the team’s roster and its collective effort over the years.
Recent Performance: A Strong Showing in the Previous Phoenix Race
During last fall’s championship race at Phoenix, Joe Gibbs Racing showcased remarkable teamwork, securing four top-10 finishes. Aric Almirola led the way with a runner-up finish, clinching the 2025 NOAPS Owners’ Championship for the No. 19 team. The team’s depth was further illustrated by Brandon Jones finishing fourth, Taylor Gray placing seventh, and Justin Bonsingore rounding out the top ten. In that event, JGR’s drivers combined to lead 54 laps, and Brandon Jones earned the pole, adding another highlight to the team’s Phoenix credentials.
William Sawalich: Young Talent Returns to Phoenix
William Sawalich, piloting the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota GR Supra, enters Phoenix with experience and success already on his resume. Sawalich has started two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races at Phoenix Raceway. In his first Phoenix start, which was just his third in the series, he captured the pole position for the final race of 2024. Additionally, Sawalich boasts two victories at Phoenix in the ARCA Menards Series West, highlighting his comfort and confidence at this challenging desert circuit.
In the most recent event at Circuit of the Americas, Sawalich overcame early damage yet finished seventh, securing his first top-10 finish of the season. This resilience is a testament to both Sawalich and his pit crew, led by veteran chief Jeff Meendering. Meendering brings a wealth of experience with 10 Xfinity Series wins as a crew chief, most recently celebrating a victory with Chandler Smith at Richmond in March 2024. The partnership between Sawalich and Meendering looks poised for continued success as they take on Phoenix together.
The No. 18 car features SoundGear, a brand launched in 2010 that pioneers hearing protection and enhancement technologies. Manufactured by Starkey, a global leader in hearing care based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, SoundGear products are designed for motorsports and a range of demanding environments, supporting teams and consumers alike through technological innovation and a focus on safety.
Brent Crews: Rookie’s Rapid Rise and Phoenix Potentials
Brent Crews, driving the No. 19 Young Life Toyota GR Supra, approaches Phoenix with high expectations following a pair of standout performances in the ARCA Menards Series development program at the track last year. In his Phoenix debut, Crews secured the pole, led over 60 laps, and claimed victory. Later that year, he returned for an even more dominant display, leading every lap en route to another win.
In his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Circuit of the Americas, Crews qualified seventh and navigated handling issues to secure a sixth-place finish. Despite the challenges, he showcased his skill with aggressive moves early in the race and even led the field for several laps. At 17 years old, Crews stands out as a Toyota development driver, amassing an impressive resume that includes being the youngest Trans-AM TA2 Series Champion in 2023, the World Series of Asphalt Super Late Model Champion in 2024, and multiple young-achiever records, such as the youngest POWRi National Midget Series race winner at just 13 years old. Across karting and stock car disciplines, Crews has won 12 national championships, marking him as a rising force in the sport.
The No. 19 team, under the direction of crew chief Seth Chavka, continues to build on its Phoenix success. In 2025, Aric Almirola piloted the Young Life GR Supra to victory in the spring race and secured the Xfinity Series Owners Championship in the fall after coming up just shy of another win. With Chavka entering his third straight season atop the No. 19 pit box, the team has already celebrated multiple victories and a championship under his guidance.
This weekend, the Young Life Toyota GR Supra debuts a new livery featuring Grand Canyon University (GCU), whose Young Life chapter is the largest in the country. GCU’s distinctive purple colors will be prominently displayed, highlighting Young Life’s wide-ranging outreach to students across Arizona, with 140 clubs and 1,000 volunteer leaders supporting their mission. Young Life’s presence as a faith-based organization has a global impact, operating in every state and over 100 countries and focusing on offering fun, friendship, and community to adolescents in schools and colleges.
Brandon Jones: Veteran Faces a Familiar Challenge
Brandon Jones will drive the No. 20 BestAir/Menards Toyota GR Supra this weekend, returning to a track where he claimed his second NOAPS career win. With 20 career series starts at Phoenix, Jones has amassed an impressive set of results, including the 2020 victory, five top-five finishes, nine top-10s, a pole, and 69 laps led. His most recent Phoenix appearance saw him winning the pole, leading ten laps, and earning a fourth-place finish—again demonstrating his consistency and competitiveness in Avondale.
At Circuit of the Americas, Jones had a solid outing, qualifying fourth and collecting points in both stages. He finished the race 15th but jumped several positions in the season standings, now ranking 11th and building momentum for the races ahead.
Jones and crew chief Sam McAulay begin their second season working together this year. Under McAulay’s leadership, the No. 20 team achieved a breakthrough in 2025, securing two series wins and a sixth-place finish in the Owners’ Championship. With consistent top-10 speed, McAulay has established himself among the rising stars of crew chiefs in the series. The team enjoys a longstanding sponsorship partnership with Menards, a home improvement retail giant known for its wide selection and competitive pricing, which has supported Jones for over a decade.
In addition, BestAir features prominently on Jones’s car, representing a commitment to indoor air quality and home comfort. The manufacturer’s filters and environment-improving products serve homeowners and professionals, combining innovation with reliability—a fitting partnership for a veteran driver who thrives on durable performance.
Taylor Gray: Continuing Momentum at Phoenix
Taylor Gray returns to Phoenix in the No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota GR Supra, riding on a track-record of solid performances. Last year, Gray finished sixth and seventh in his two O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the venue, leading laps and securing a stage win in the fall race. His record at Phoenix also features a victory in the ARCA Menards Series West in March 2022, when he started second and led 43 laps. Over five ARCA starts at Phoenix, Gray has achieved three top-five finishes, confirming his affinity for the Arizona circuit.
Gray’s most recent outing at Circuit of the Americas saw him fighting for positions among the top 15, advancing from 14th at the start to finish 12th after a strong push in the closing laps. This effort adds to his momentum heading into Phoenix weekend.
Gray’s efforts are guided by crew chief Jason Ratcliff, the most successful crew chief in Xfinity Series history with 58 wins. Ratcliff has led teams to four Phoenix victories, nine top-fives, and five poles in 30 career starts at the track. Notably, he coached Matt Kenseth to a NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix in 2017, underscoring his expertise and savvy in high-profile events.
This Saturday, the No. 54 Toyota showcases Operation 300, a nonprofit providing adventure camps for children who have lost a parent due to military service. The organization pairs these children with mentors for weekends of meaningful experiences, echoing the sense of teamwork and support seen throughout Joe Gibbs Racing.
Looking Ahead: Joe Gibbs Racing’s Continuing Pursuit of Excellence
With a star-studded roster featuring seasoned drivers, rookies with exceptional promise, and accomplished crew chiefs, Joe Gibbs Racing is positioned for more strong results—and potentially more trips to victory lane—at Phoenix Raceway. The team’s ongoing partnerships with organizations like Grand Canyon University, Young Life, Menards, BestAir, and Operation 300 reflect its commitment to community impact and innovation. Led by veteran leadership and fueled by young talent, Joe Gibbs Racing continues to set a high bar at Phoenix and across the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series calendar, inspiring optimism for another memorable weekend in the Arizona desert.
