Joe Gibbs Racing has announced its driver lineup update for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, including a new driver stepping in for select races. Brent Crews, the Hickory, North Carolina native, is scheduled to run full-time in the No. 19 Toyota; however, because he turns 18 on March 30, 2026, he will be ineligible to compete in the first four races of the season. This situation has led the team to appoint another driver for those early events.
Schedule and Age Restriction Affecting Brent Crews’ Participation
Although Brent Crews is set to drive the No. 19 Toyota full-time in 29 of the 33 races on the calendar, he cannot participate in the opening two and two additional early-season races due to NASCAR’s age requirement. As a result, Crews will only be able to race as a 17-year-old at the third, fourth, and seventh events, which take place at Circuit of the Americas, Phoenix Raceway, and Martinsville Speedway, respectively.
Gio Ruggiero Takes the Wheel for Opening Races
To cover the races Brent Crews must miss, Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed that 19-year-old Gio Ruggiero from Seekonk, Massachusetts, will pilot the No. 19 Toyota during the first two events. Ruggiero made his NASCAR national series debut in 2025, competing with TRICON Garage’s Truck Series team. During that season, he secured a win at Talladega Superspeedway along with six other finishes in the top four, including an impressive second-place result in his debut at Daytona.
Despite his Truck Series experience, Ruggiero is new to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and will be making his first appearances in this division for Joe Gibbs Racing. The team’s No. 19 car was one of their most competitive entries in 2025, primarily driven by Aric Almirola, who contributed to three wins and the owner’s championship before departing from the team’s 2026 lineup.
Full-Time Driver Lineup Remains Consistent for 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing has maintained stability in their other full-time seats. William Sawalich will return to the No. 18 Toyota, Brandon Jones will continue behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota, and Taylor Gray will again drive the No. 54 Toyota. At this time, the organization has not yet revealed the driver for the No. 19 Toyota in the March races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway, leaving some early-season uncertainty.
Upcoming Season Opener and Broadcast Information
The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will officially begin with the United Rentals 300 on Saturday, February 14, at Daytona International Speedway. Fans can watch the live broadcast on the CW Network, starting at 5:00 p.m. ET, providing extensive coverage of the season’s kickoff event.
This Joe Gibbs Racing driver update highlights the team’s careful planning to navigate NASCAR’s age restrictions and maintain competitiveness across the schedule. With a promising mix of young talent and returning drivers, the team looks set to continue its strong presence in the series as the new season unfolds.
