Seventeen-year-old Brent Crews shared his thoughts on the challenges of racing after falling short to Corey Heim at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, despite leading the majority of laps. Crews described motorsports as both harsh and incredible, expressing his resolve to learn from the experience. This Brent Crews racing reflection highlights the emotional and competitive rollercoaster faced by young drivers.
Starting third in the Ecosave 250 at the Charlotte Roval, Crews drove a part-time #1 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage. He quickly seized the lead on the opening lap after a multi-vehicle crash involving Layne Riggs, Grant Enfinger, and pole sitter Corey Heim. Crews maintained control for most of the race but lost his lead toward the end.
With only three laps remaining, a caution was triggered when Crews’ teammate Toni Breidinger stopped on the track. Taking advantage of the caution, Crews pitted from the lead, which dropped him to seventh by the restart. Corey Heim went on to secure his 10th win of the season, breaking Greg Biffle’s record for most victories in a single NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series year.
Feeling the weight of leading 56 out of 70 laps but finishing second, Crews shared his emotions on X via Peter Stratta:
“Racing is a cruel and amazing sport.”
“Continuing to learn. Just hate it for my team that we weren’t able to go to victory lane today. We had the winning car for sure there… just sucks we’re in second. But happy to be here,” he added.
Team Toyota Clinches Strong Finish in Charlotte Race
Though Crews missed the top step, his second-place finish contributed to a Toyota sweep of the podium with Corey Heim winning and Gio Ruggiero finishing third. Rajah Caruth took fourth place, while Connor Zilisch, known for record-breaking performances in the Xfinity Series this year, came in fifth. The race showcased strong performances from the Toyota-affiliated drivers and underscored the competitive depth within the field.
Crews has not yet confirmed his plans for a full-time ride next season. However, rumors suggest he might join Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in the Xfinity Series next year. Currently, he races for JGR in the ARCA Menards Series, gaining valuable experience that could bolster his career progression.
Creating a NASCAR Team at Seventeen: Brent Crews’ Unconventional Path
Earlier in the year, Brent Crews made headlines by starting his own NASCAR team at just 17 years old with an entry at Watkins Glen Raceway. Without skepticism from those around him, he financed the team’s debut by selling his micro sprint cars. This move demonstrated his commitment and entrepreneurial spirit, breaking the mold for young drivers in the sport.
Crews, who hails from Davidson, North Carolina, explained his early exposure to racing and team building in an interview with NASCAR reporter Toby Christie:
“I grew up going to dinner on race weekends with guys like Nick Tucker and Brian Keselowski, listening to stories about building race cars and engines out of spare parts and barely getting to the track.”
“Even though everyone would tell them they were crazy, it always sounded like so much fun to me. When we started talking about me buying a truck to run Watkins Glen, no one was willing to tell me it was a bad idea, and it just kind of snowballed from there. I sold all my micro sprints to raise some of the money, and here we are,” he added.
The #70 Toyota operated by Brent Crews Motorsports finished 17th at Watkins Glen, an impressive outcome for a young team entering a competitive road course race. Corey Heim emerged victorious once again, followed by Daniel Hemric and Rio Ruggiero, while full-time NASCAR Cup Series competitor Christopher Bell came in fourth.
Implications of Brent Crews’ Early Career Moves for NASCAR’s Future
Brent Crews’ journey reflects the harsh realities and thrilling possibilities of motorsports. Leading most of the laps but not securing victory at Charlotte illustrates the high stakes and fierce competition young drivers face. His ability to launch his own team at such a young age further signals a new generation of racers blending talent with business acumen.
As he continues his development with Tricon Garage and possibly Joe Gibbs Racing, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching how Crews’ career unfolds. His determination to learn from setbacks and his early steps into team ownership could influence how future drivers approach racing careers. With Toyota drivers dominating recent events and records being challenged, the dynamics within NASCAR’s development series remain intensely competitive and promising.
“Racing is a cruel sport” says runner-up @BrentCrews11 after leading a race-high 56 laps. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/EvGO29zZh9
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 3, 2025
