Austin, Texas — Seventeen-year-old Brent Crews made an impressive first appearance in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on Saturday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), finishing in sixth place. The young Toyota Racing prospect showcased composure and skill despite missing earlier races due to age restrictions, delivering a strong performance under challenging conditions at the 2.4-mile road course.
Early Career Challenges and Strong Race Execution
Crews was unable to participate in the season-opening events at Daytona International Speedway and EchoPark Speedway because of age eligibility rules, but he quickly adapted once on track in Austin. Driving the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, he led several laps and maintained a clean car throughout the intense competition. His calm demeanor helped him navigate the demanding race, which featured close battles and aggressive moves.
I feel like today was just a big learning day,
Crews said.
My first start, obviously. Just overall, I wanted to finish and keep the car in one piece, and we did that. There was some things I feel like I could have done better there at the end. I’ve been here so many times where you gain a row or two rows taking the outside and then they all get wiped out. It was a tough day. It was a long, hot day, and we survived.
— Brent Crews, Driver
Memorable Late-Stage Effort and On-Track Battles
The highlight of Crews’ race came in Stage 2, where he showcased his aggressive driving by leading a restart and executing a daring four-wide pass uphill to Turn 1, overtaking seasoned road-course competitors like Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch. Crews led the pack for five laps before van Gisbergen, the eventual race winner, reclaimed the lead. The young driver’s competitive spirit and raw talent impressed many onlookers.
That was awesome to watch, van Gisbergen said of Crews.
He was driving like crazy. I couldn’t drive like that. I’d be worn out in two laps. He was just crazy on the limit and it was really cool to watch. He looks like he’s an amazing talent and I’m sure he’ll be really good in not much time. It’s fun to race him, but kind of knew [battling for the lead] was not gonna last long.
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Upcoming Races and Age Restrictions
Because Crews will not turn 18 until March 30, he is required to miss two upcoming O’Reilly races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway. However, he is expected to return next Saturday at Phoenix Raceway on March 7, where he will continue to build on his rookie campaign and gain further experience on the series.
Focus on Growth Rather Than Points Early in Season
Rather than prioritize points standings, Brent Crews aims to learn and develop his skills during his limited starts this season. His clean, well-executed debut at COTA has already made a significant impact, putting him on the radar as one of the sport’s rising talents.
It was a lot, right? I’m a rookie, and as a rookie here, you’re at everybody else’s fate,
Crews commented.
Just trying to make good decisions there at the end and not put myself in a position to get crashed or run into a crash. It was a lot of fun. This is something I’ve been looking forward to for the past 10 years and it was everything I’ve expected, and more. Everybody’s really aggressive and really good. The cars are really close and just excited to be right where I am.
— Brent Crews, Driver
Significance of Crews’ O’Reilly Debut and Future Prospects
Brent Crews’ strong showing at COTA signals a promising start to his career within the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and highlights his potential as a future star in Toyota Racing’s development lineup. His ability to maintain focus under pressure and compete with established drivers like Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch reflects his determination and preparedness to succeed at a high level. Fans and teams alike will watch closely as he returns to continue his rookie journey in Phoenix and beyond.
