Brent Crews’ Meteoric Rise in NASCAR and Why Joe Gibbs Racing is Betting on Him for 2026

Brent Crews. If you haven’t heard this name yet, buckle up because you’re about to. At just 17, this young gun has already carved out a seat at the table in the NASCAR world, and the buzz is that he’s “likely” to join Joe Gibbs Racing full-time in the Xfinity Series for 2026. Yep, you read that right. Crews is skipping the long, drawn-out ladder that most talent climbs and is heading for prime time sooner than anyone could have predicted.

Who is Brent Crews, and Why Should You Care?

If you’re wondering who Brent Crews is and why people are hyped, let’s break it down. This kid isn’t just fast; he’s freakishly fast with a racing IQ to back it up. Case in point? He has two wins and a second-place finish in just five ARCA National Series starts. That’s not just impressive. That’s “you’re-going-to-hear-this-name-during-Cup-Series-commentary” impressive.

Not to mention, he pulled off a top-10 finish in just three Craftsman Truck Series starts. Crews debuted at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2025, secured an impressive eighth place in Stage 2, and then followed up with an eighth-place finish at Lime Rock shortly after. Look, many rookies would kill for those kinds of results with a full season’s experience. For Crews, these were appetizers.

Crews vs. the Rest of the Rising Pack

What makes his ascent so captivating is how Brent Crews compares to others in his discipline. Take Connor Zilisch, for example. The 19-year-old made his jump to a full-time Xfinity Series seat just this season. Crews, on the other hand, is younger and has far fewer starts under his belt.

Instead of waiting in line, he’s basically said, “Thanks, I’ll take it from here,” as Joe Gibbs Racing zeroes in on securing him by March when he turns 18. No pressure, right? Some experts are already labeling this quick transition as a pretty huge gamble for JGR. But hey, “huge gambles” are sort of the Joe Gibbs specialty.

Why Joe Gibbs Racing is All-In on Crews

For JGR, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. The rumor mill suggests that Brent Crews might even be pegged as a future heir to Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 car. You know, the seat every driver in the paddock dreams about. While Hamlin isn’t retiring anytime soon, especially if championship formats take a turn in his favor, the team knows that planning ahead is essential.

By throwing Crews into the pressure cooker that is the Xfinity Series, they’re clearly betting on his long-term potential.“He’ll likely race full-time in Xfinity next season at Joe Gibbs Racing after he turns 18 in March,” said NASCAR pundit Bob Pockrass. If that statement doesn’t sum up the collective excitement and speculation within the NASCAR fandom, nothing will.

Ripple Effects in NASCAR’s Talent Pool

Of course, Brent Crews isn’t just shaking up his career. His rapid climb is adding some heat to the entire NASCAR talent scene. Guys like Corey Heim, who’s been tearing it up in the Truck Series, and Zilisch, who’s already mapped out his upward trajectory, now have to keep an eye on this wildcard. The 2026 season could feature a lineup so stacked with emerging talent that it might resemble a “who’s who” of future Cup Series champions. The beauty of it?  Fans will be able to watch all of this unfold in real time.

Final Thoughts

Brent Crews is what happens when raw talent meets opportunity, plain and simple. Don’t blink because this 17-year-old prodigy is on the verge of rewriting how we think about NASCAR development systems. Joe Gibbs Racing’s confidence in him speaks volumes, and there’s no doubt that his entry into the Xfinity Series will be one of the most anticipated storylines in 2026.