Denny Hamlin Backs Teenage Driver Brent Crews
Denny Hamlin openly endorsed Brent Crews as the leading candidate to inherit his iconic No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
Crews, who currently drives the No. 19 for JGR in the O'Reilly Series, was caught off guard by Hamlin's statement.
He revealed that Hamlin was his favorite driver as a little kid, and his favorite football player was Julio Jones, who wore the number 11 jersey.
Hamlin's endorsement of Crews is significant, as it shows his confidence in the young driver's abilities.
Crews is aware that executing in his current machine in the O'Reilly is the only way to solidify his future layout.
With the high-stakes battle for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series playoffs tightening up, Crews has no intention of letting future JGR Silly Season hypotheticals distract him from his current objective.
Denny Hamlin also applauded NASCAR's removal of the 'win-and-in' format in the 2026 season, calling it an overdue correction that prevents fluke victories from hijacking the playoff grid.
He said that getting rid of the win and you're in is the biggest and best change ever, as it ensures that drivers are judged on their overall performance rather than a single win.
On May 31, 2026, Hamlin waited by his car as rain fell before the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn.
The removal of the 'win-and-in' format has dialed up the intensity of the regular-season points battle, aligning the sport closer to its traditional roots.
Hamlin has championed this approach for years, and his endorsement of Crews shows that he is committed to nurturing young talent in the sport.
Crews' performance in the O'Reilly Series will be closely watched, as he aims to prove himself as a worthy successor to Hamlin's No. 11 car.
The 18-year-old driver has a big task ahead of him, but with Hamlin's backing, he is well-placed to make a strong impression in the NASCAR Cup Series.
As the 2026 season progresses, fans will be eagerly watching Crews' progress, and Hamlin's endorsement will undoubtedly add to the pressure and expectation surrounding the young driver.
For now, Crews is focused on executing in his current machine and solidifying his future layout, and Hamlin's backing will surely give him a boost of confidence as he navigates the challenges of the O'Reilly Series.
The future of NASCAR looks bright with talented young drivers like Crews coming through the ranks, and Hamlin's endorsement is a testament to the sport's commitment to nurturing and developing new talent.
On June 18, Crews will be back in action, and all eyes will be on him as he bids to make a strong impression in the O'Reilly Series.
With Hamlin's backing, Crews is ready to take on the challenge and prove himself as a worthy successor to the No. 11 car.
The road ahead will be tough, but with his talent and Hamlin's guidance, Crews is well-placed to make a lasting impact in the NASCAR Cup Series.