Brent Crews, a promising young driver, made an uncommon choice early in his career by turning down a potential Formula 1 path to focus on NASCAR. At just 17 years old, Crews is preparing to make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut on February 28 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), emphasizing the desire to compete where more drivers can realistically contend for victory.
Choosing NASCAR Over Formula 1: The Reason Behind Crews’ Decision
Although Crews spent part of his youth competing internationally in Italy with a factory-backed karting team, racing alongside Kimi Antonelli—now an F1 driver for Mercedes—he decided against pursuing the Formula 1 route. In an interview with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Crews shared that his choice was rooted in a wish to race in a series where a greater number of competitive drivers have a legitimate shot at winning, rather than a sport dominated by a handful of winning cars.
“So we travelled to Italy, and we were racing there with their factory team on the same team as Kimmy Antonelli, who is the Mercedes driver that replaced Lewis, and we they started talking about F1, and there was a small path to go there, and my dad talked to me about it, and I was like, I was either I was probably nine years old, 10 years old and I was like, I can’t do it.”
— Brent Crews, NASCAR Prospect
“He’s like, why? He’s like, “F1 is so cool.” And I was like, I don’t want to go racing where there’s only two to four cars that can win every race. I was like, I want there to be, I want everyone to have a chance to win and it just be the best driver won.”
— Brent Crews, NASCAR Prospect
His early connection to Kimi Antonelli, who stepped in at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team last year after Lewis Hamilton’s departure, provided a close look into the Formula 1 environment. Despite this exposure, Crews decided to pursue a path that aligns better with his competitive values.
Brent Crews’ NASCAR Debut and Racing Credentials
Crews will start seventh in his upcoming NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event, driving the #19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing at COTA. This marks a significant step forward after several years focusing on American stock-car racing.
A native of Hickory, North Carolina, Crews has quickly made a name for himself in American racing circuits. He has claimed victories in both the ARCA Menards East and West Series, showcasing his adaptability and skill on ovals and road courses alike. In 2023, Crews completed 10 starts in the NASCAR Truck Series, with nine appearances under TRICON Garage and one with his family-run Brent Crews Motorsports. His best finish was a strong second place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, and he earned three top-10 finishes overall.
The Significance of Crews’ NASCAR Path
By rejecting the F1 development trajectory in favor of NASCAR, Crews is embracing a racing environment that emphasizes driver talent over equipment dominance. This decision underlines a broader trend where young drivers seek competitive fields that offer more unpredictable and fair outcomes.
Crews’ upcoming debut at COTA will be closely watched, as it represents not just his transition to a major NASCAR series but also a validation of his decision to pursue stock-car racing. His progress may inspire other young talents debating the merits of American racing series versus the overseas allure of Formula 1.
With Brent Crews’ entry into the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, fans and analysts alike will be eager to observe how his skill develops against the depth of competition, potentially shaping the future landscape of NASCAR’s emerging stars.
17-year-old @Brentcrews makes his O'Reilly debut today. Why didn't he pursue the F1 path? He explains: pic.twitter.com/tbKslpeVGT
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 28, 2026
