Brent Crews, driving the No. 18 JBL Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, triumphed in the ARCA Menards Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday. Crews mounted a remarkable comeback in the second half of the race, overcoming a strong early pace by his competitors to claim first place. His performance highlighted both his skill and the effective adjustments made by his team during the event.
Turning Point During the Race Break Fueled Crews’ Charge
Despite starting behind the early race leader, Brenden Queen, Crews stayed focused, determined to close the gap. According to Crews, the crucial turnaround came during the break halfway through the race. The Joe Gibbs Racing crew, led by Matt Ross, made key setup changes that significantly improved the car’s performance. Crews reflected on their efforts, saying,
“I knew Matt (Ross, crew chief) and the team had something up their sleeve to give me that extra little bit at the halfway break, and that is exactly what they did.”
The driver also expressed gratitude for the large, passionate crowd gathered at Indianapolis Raceway Park despite the challenging heat. He said,
“There is so many race fans here tonight, oh my gosh. I’m so happy to see a packed crowd. Thank you, guys, for coming out. I know it is really hot and grueling.”
Teamwork and Faith Played Major Roles in Crews’ Success
The adjustments made during the mid-race pause involved close communication between Crews and his crew. Although the radio communication suffered some static, Crews trusted the feedback and the team‘s expertise. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and safety, stating,
“I want to thank the good Lord above for keeping me safe tonight, and all of the other competitors. I’m just so grateful to be here.”
Crews also highlighted his excitement about driving for Toyota GAZOO Racing this season, praised his car’s speed, and showed enthusiasm for future races.
“I’m so happy to drive this Toyota GAZOO Racing No. 18 JBL Toyota Camry. It was as fast as it could be tonight. I can’t thank these guys enough tonight,”
he said.
Implications of the Win for Crews and Joe Gibbs Racing
This victory will likely boost Brent Crews’ confidence and momentum as the ARCA Menards Series season continues. The strong collaborative effort from the Joe Gibbs Racing team, combined with effective race strategy changes, demonstrated their ability to adapt quickly under pressure. Additionally, Crews’ remarks about his energy and excitement suggest he aims to maintain this positive trajectory moving forward.
With such a commanding performance at a significant venue like Indianapolis Raceway Park, the expectations for Crews and his Joe Gibbs Racing team are high. Fans and competitors alike will be watching to see how this momentum carries through subsequent races in the ARCA Menards Series season.
“I just want to thank the good Lord above for keeping us safe. There is so many race fans here tonight, oh my gosh. I’m so happy to see a packed crowd. Thank you, guys, for coming out. I know it is really hot and grueling. I was exhausted out there, but yeah, this JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) group did an absolutely fabulous job at the break. The 28 (Brenden Queen) was really fast the first half, honestly, I was doing everything I could to hang with him. I knew we had something. I knew Matt (Ross, crew chief) and the team had something up their sleeve to give me that extra little bit at the halfway break, and that is exactly what they did. My JBL Toyota Camry was lights out tonight. I’m grateful to be here, and excited to run the No. 1 Tundra tonight. I have a lot more energy since I won. I think I would be down in the dumps if I didn’t, but just excited to go on this journey with Toyota GAZOO Racing and drive all these cool cars with JBL and Mobil 1 this year. It is absolutely fabulous and I’m ready for the rest.”
—Brent Crews, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
“Just adjustments at the halfway break. My guys did such a great job. Listened to what I had to say exactly. Radio had some static, which was weird. I want to thank the good Lord above for keeping me safe tonight, and all of the other competitors. I’m just so grateful to be here. I’m so happy to drive this Toyota GAZOO Racing No. 18 JBL Toyota Camry. It was as fast as it could be tonight. I can’t thank these guys enough tonight.”
—Brent Crews, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
