Joe Gibbs Racing gives Jesse Love major dilemma | Sports News

Joe Gibbs Racing’s resolution to signal 17-year-old Brent Crews to pilot its No. 19 NASCAR O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series Toyota during the 2026 season has introduced a dilemma to 2025 champion Jesse Love. Crews, considered one of probably the most promising younger abilities within the pipeline, formally joins the group forward of his 18th birthday subsequent March.

Because NASCAR guidelines prohibit drivers underneath 18 from competing on tracks longer than 1.25 miles, Crews can be sidelined for a number of early-season occasions, together with the opener at Daytona, in addition to races at EchoPark Speedway, Circuit of The Americas, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Once he turns into eligible on March 30, he’ll be cleared for full participation throughout the national collection schedule, together with his debut set for Phoenix Raceway within the third race of the season for the GOVX 200.

Luckily for Crews, ought to he place himself in playoff rivalry earlier than the tip of the common season, NASCAR would grant him a waiver that may permit him to proceed his championship conquest. However, ought to Crews discover himself in that place, he’ll possible face off towards defending champion Love, who describes {the teenager} as a little brother.

Love gave a detailed insight into his relationship with Crews during an look on the Door Bumper Clear podcast and admitted it has left him with a dilemma relating to how to deal with racing him.

“I haven’t fully figured out exactly how I’m going to handle the situation. Like, obviously, me and Connor [Zilisch] are really close. But as far as, like, a family sense goes, like, nobody’s closer to me than Brent,” Love admitted. “He’s like my little brother is how I look at him. So, it’s definitely going to be tough. And I haven’t had a conversation with him yet.”

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Love revealed that he would often be an “open book” to Crews, however that may change after they turn into full-time opponents subsequent 12 months. “But I feel like what I’ll probably end up doing is, you know, Brent is somebody that every time he goes to the racetrack, I’m an open book,” Love continued. “Like, ‘Here’s all the notes that we’re taking on this place. Here’s how I approach the weekend.’

“But, no, I’m not going to try this when I’m racing towards him. And it is nothing towards Brent, proper, or anyone over there. I’m nonetheless going to, you understand, give him help as he wants that I’d give anyone else help. But, yeah, that is positively a bizarre dynamic the place I was this entire open ebook.”

Love tips Crews to thrive in the sport with a good team around him and a whole lot of talent. “As a competitor and as someone that’s actually close together with his crew and actually desires to be within the sport for a long time, it would not work in a scenario the place I’d proceed to try this,” Love added.

“So, on the identical time, I really feel like Brent has some good people round him and has enough of a place to begin to have the ability to determine these things out like anyone would. But he is additionally actually proficient, too. So, I’m glad that he acquired the truck stuff higher on the finish of the 12 months.”

Crews is worked up for the subsequent chapter in his NASCAR profession. He has the backing of a well-established, oiled machine, in JGR.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to race with a winning organization and Toyota,” the six-time ARCA Menards Series race winner mentioned.

“I’ve learned a lot so far with the ARCA program and at the track with the No.19 team. I have a lot to prepare for this season, but I feel confident with all the resources that JGR and Toyota provide to help with an easy transition.”