Brent Crews, Toyota Racing’s promising developmental driver, will make his highly anticipated debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in 2026. Born near Charlotte, Crews has been racing since childhood, quickly distinguishing himself with world championships in karting by the age of nine. His journey stands out as he carved a path without a family racing background, driven purely by his intense competitiveness and support from his stepfather, Matt Lankford.
Early Influences and Karting Success
Growing up in the Charlotte suburbs, Crews initially played football and soccer but found his teammates less driven, prompting him to try individual competition instead. His stepfather, Matt Lankford, encouraged this shift after noticing Crews’ frustration with team sports. Crews recalled,
“My dad came to me and saw me get super upset about wanting to win so much, and none of my teammates cared about winning, and he was like, ‘Do you want to play a sport where it’s you versus everyone else?’ I said yes, and he took me to the race track.”
This move coincided with the opening of Trackhouse Motorplex in 2012, where he began his kart racing journey on a cold winter day.
Crews quickly rose to global prominence, winning titles around the world, including in Brazil, France, Germany, and Switzerland. He competed against top young talents like NASCAR’s Connor Zilisch and Formula One’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli. His competitive edge was especially clear during a 2019 Outlaw Kart race against Kyle Larson at Millbridge Speedway.
A Defining Moment of Determination
Lankford reflected on that pivotal race:
Image of: Brent Crews
“I was as excited as you could possibly be just that we finished third,”
he said. When Crews questioned the praise, Lankford explained,
“The guy that beat you is literally the best driver in the world.”
Crews replied,
“Yeah, but I race at this track every week, and he comes here twice per year — I should beat him.”
This mindset revealed Crews’ unique approach to racing, marking the moment Lankford realized they were in this for the long haul.
“When I realized that’s how he looked at things, as I digested it all, I knew we were probably going to be doing this for a while.”
Breaking Records and Expanding Experience
At just 14, Crews became the youngest winner in Trans-Am TA2 history, followed by a championship the next season. He diversified his experience by competing in dirt track sprint cars and stock car events at Hickory Speedway. Lankford studied the career paths of drivers like Kyle Larson, Tony Stewart, and Christopher Bell to guide Crews, adopting a philosophy of racing in as many disciplines as possible.
Crews summarized this approach:
“You see guys like Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Christopher Bell — all of those guys want to race anything they can, and I think that gives you an edge on everyone else.”
Progression Into Professional Ranks
In 2023, Crews signed a multiyear development contract with Toyota Racing, securing a victory in only his second ARCA Menards Seriesstart. Over the next two years, he accumulated numerous wins across various series while making ten NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts for Tricon Garage in 2025, claiming top-five finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval and Martinsville Speedway.
Looking ahead, Crews is set for the next level with Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 19 Toyota. However, since he will not turn 18 until March 30, he will miss four of the opening six races, making his series debut at COTA.
Expectations and Perspectives from Industry Peers
Jesse Love, the reigning O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, shared high praise for Crews’ development:
“The path [Crews] took growing up was running Milbridge, go karts, late models and Trans Am, is probably the best development path that any driver has ever had.”
He added,
“I think Brent’s natural ability is unbelievable. If Brent can have the right people in his corner and learn the right things quickly and not make a bunch of mistakes, he could be as good as anybody and be a threat for the championship.”
Crews has been watching his peers succeed in the series over recent seasons, which has been challenging to witness from the sidelines. Lankford noted,
“He has almost gone completely crazy having to watch his friends race the last few years.”
He continued,
“I think he will be fine. He has always raced with guys that were older than him, with the way it shook out with what we were trying to do.”
Approaching the Debut with Determination
Crews is confident about his debut, especially knowing his team won the owner’s championship in 2025. He is focusing on consistent preparation rather than setting rigid goals like wins or making the playoffs.
“I think what Jesse said is right,”
Crews explained.
“I don’t have any goals set out: wins or make the championship. Our goal is to give 100% every single week. We are going to prepare to the highest intensity level.”
Pressure during races is not new for Crews, who said he has been conditioned from a young age to perform under high expectations. Six months ago, Lankford recounted that Crews only realized what pressure felt like while sinking a $200 golf putt. Crews stated,
“I’ve been in that situation since I can remember. My dad always said if I didn’t go out there and dominate in this series, I wasn’t going to be able to go to the next one. I’ve been used to that since I was 10 or 11, so this is just the next step at a higher level in front of more people. I’m excited to be able to show what I can do in front of a bigger crowd.”
Confidence at Circuit of The Americas and Upcoming Rivalries
Crews’ last race at COTA resulted in a win in the TA2 class, and he looks forward to replicating the success his friend Connor Zilisch enjoyed in 2024 when Zilisch won his series debut at Watkins Glen International. Crews aims to become only the eighth driver to win in their first O’Reilly Series race. He stated,
“If you don’t have an expectation to win everywhere you go, then what are you showing up for? Especially COTA, where it’s what I grew up doing. I have a lot of confidence there, more than a lot of places.”
A strong racing field awaits him, including Zilisch, Shane van Gisbergen, and Hill, all experienced contenders. Lankford offered a vote of confidence:
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he goes and wins at COTA. He gets around there pretty good, and the team gets around everywhere good. You put all of those pieces together, and he should be able to have some success.”
