A frightening incident took place during the ARCA Menards Series race at Dover Motor Speedway, where 17-year-old driver Brent Crews’ No. 18 Toyota Camry caught fire after a severe crash. The blaze erupted shortly after Crews’ car collided with the outside wall, reportedly due to a failure in the right front tire, leading to an intense fire on the front and right side of the vehicle.
Video footage released by FOX: NASCAR on X captured the dramatic scene, showing dense smoke pouring from the car as flames engulfed it. Despite the rapid escalation of the fire, Crews managed to exit the vehicle without assistance, safely climbing out from the left window moments after the crash.
Details of the crash and crew’s response to the blaze
According to FOX: NASCAR, the crash occurred between Turns 3 and 4 when the right front tire appeared to fail, causing Crews to lose control and slam into the wall. The impact was severe enough to ignite the fire almost immediately, forcing race officials to halt the event by calling a red flag. Emergency crews acted quickly to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Fortunately, Crews was unharmed despite the terrifying circumstances and was released from the care center soon after. Reflecting on the ordeal, he expressed gratitude for his safety, stating,
“Yeah, I just wanna thank the good lord above, for keeping me safe. That was super scary… Glad I’m okay.” —Brent Crews, ARCA driver
Crews also acknowledged his team’s effort, saying,
“I can’t thank Joe Gibbs crew enough for building me a super fast race car… unfortunate it’s gone up in flames.” —Brent Crews, ARCA driver
He described the moments prior to the crash by noting he felt no warning signs until his car became “weirdly tight” entering Turn 3, leading him to guess the tire went flat and blew off in Turn 4.
Brent Crews’ promising racing career and 2025 prospects
Brent Crews is recognized as one of the brightest young talents in ARCA this season, having secured wins at Phoenix and Rockingham, along with strong performances on dirt tracks. Fans anticipated another close battle involving Crews and Butterbean Queen at Dover, but the crash abruptly ended that contest.
Earlier in 2025, Crews had a busy schedule highlighted by significant achievements. In January, he won the Stock Non-Wing Division at the Tulsa Shootout, earning the prestigious Golden Driller trophy after a close race against Cannon McIntosh. Immediately following this win, he remained at the Tulsa Expo Center to prepare for the Chili Bowl, marking his debut at this high-profile dirt racing event.
In a NASCAR interview, Crews reflected on his week preparing for the Chili Bowl, stating,
“I’ve had a great week at the Tulsa Expo Center already,” —Brent Crews
Originally making his mark on asphalt through go-kart championships, Crews also established himself on dirt racing circuits, achieving a milestone as the youngest winner in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series at age 13. He credited his dirt racing background with enhancing his overall driving skills and adaptability across track surfaces.
Discussing the versatility of top drivers, Crews commented,
“You see guys like Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch and Christopher Bell that are running anything they set foot in,” —Brent Crews
“That’s what separates the best from good,” —Brent Crews
Brent Crews’ transition from dirt to asphalt and competitive achievements
Despite his youth, Crews had already accumulated impressive victories in ARCA as well as titles in the World Series of Asphalt and the Trans Am TA2 Championship. His early success boosted his confidence as he targeted a solid performance at the Chili Bowl, where he competed again in 2025 against seasoned rivals like Kyle Larson and defending champion Logan Seavey.
In 2023, Crews made a historic mark by becoming the youngest driver to qualify for the Chili Bowl A-Main at 14 years old, though a crash curtailed his run that year. He still finished ahead of many established dirt racers, signaling his growing prowess on multiple racing surfaces.
Impact of the Dover incident on Brent Crews’ season outlook
The fire and crash at Dover represent a significant setback for Crews during an otherwise successful season. While the incident cut short the race and damaged his No. 18 car, his swift escape and lack of injuries highlight the effectiveness of safety measures in ARCA racing. Moving forward, Crews and his team will aim to rebuild and continue competing as the season progresses, with fans eagerly awaiting his return to the track.
