Joe Gibbs Racing continues juggling driver lineups in the early stages of the 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series season as rookie Brent Crews remains sidelined by age restrictions at larger oval tracks.
Crews, who was confirmed as JGR's fourth full-time driver for 2026 alongside William Sawalich, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray, cannot compete at ovals exceeding 1.25 miles until his 18th birthday on March 30.
The restriction has already forced the team to use substitute drivers in four of the season's first six races. Gio Ruggiero handled driving duties for the opening two events at Daytona International Speedway and EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).
Crews then took control of the No. 19 Toyota for his eligible races at Circuit of the Americas and Phoenix Raceway, recording a sixth-place finish on the road course and an 18th-place result in the desert.
This weekend's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway presents another challenge for the Hickory, North Carolina native. The 1.5-mile oval falls outside the parameters allowing drivers under 18 to compete.
Chase Briscoe, one of Joe Gibbs Racing's full-time Cup Series drivers, will step into the No. 19 car for the Las Vegas event. The arrangement continues JGR's strategy of utilizing their Cup Series talent pool to fill the void.
The musical chairs approach will continue at Darlington Raceway, where the track's 1.366-mile configuration again prohibits Crews from competing. Christopher Bell, another JGR Cup Series regular, is scheduled to pilot the No. 19 Toyota at the "Lady in Black."
Notably absent from these substitute driver plans is Aric Almirola, who delivered the 2025 owner championship for the No. 19 team but is not part of JGR's 2026 program.
Crews will return to action at Martinsville Speedway, where the 0.526-mile oval falls within the size restrictions allowing underage drivers to compete. The race is scheduled just two days before his 18th birthday on March 28.
Subsequent races at Rockingham Speedway (0.94 miles) and Bristol Motor Speedway (0.533 miles) will also feature Crews behind the wheel, as both tracks meet the size requirements.
The rookie's first opportunity to compete on a major oval will come at Kansas Speedway on April 18, just over two weeks after his birthday. The 1.5-mile track will mark a significant milestone in his NASCAR career development.
Despite missing four races due to the age restrictions, Crews is expected to receive a playoff waiver from NASCAR. This provision ensures his missed starts won't impact playoff eligibility should he qualify for the 12-driver postseason field.
The situation highlights NASCAR's ongoing balance between safety protocols and competitive opportunities for young drivers making the transition to premier racing series.