Verified Facts
Kris Wright’s Status
In July 2025, Kris Wright and Our Motorsports mutually parted ways, effectively ending his role driving the No. 5 Xfinity car midway through the 2025 season . For the 2025 ARCA Menards Series, Wright has returned to Venturini Motorsports for select events .
Brent Crews’ Momentum
Brent Crews has emerged as a rising talent in the ARCA ranks: He made his ARCA debut in 2023, scoring strong results, including a win at Illinois State Fairgrounds . In 2025, he’s on the roster for Joe Gibbs Racing in all three ARCA Series, capturing multiple wins: He dominated at ARCA East at Rockingham, Phoenix, and IRP, earning victories in both ARCA East and ARCA/West, as well as Phoenix — under the JGR banner . At Watkins Glen (General Tire 100) on August 8, 2025, Crews won the pole and led the most laps but suffered a battery failure, ultimately finishing 9th; Kris Wright finished 3rd .
Rumor Status: JGR Considering Signing Wright over Crews?
No credible sources currently confirm that Joe Gibbs Racing is considering signing Kris Wright full-time over Brent Crews for the 2026 Xfinity Series. All confirmed ARCA activity positions Crews firmly within JGR’s future plans, while Wright is currently active with Venturini in part-time ARCA events. Given the information available, the rumor appears unsubstantiated for now.
Speculative Outlook (If It Were to Happen)
If JGR were indeed weighing Wright versus Crews for a 2026 Xfinity seat, several compelling dynamics would be at play:
For Kris Wright:
Versatility: Wright brings experience across Xfinity, Truck, and ARCA Series, including earlier Xfinity starts and a top-10 Martinsville finish . With his departure from Our Motorsports and his return to ARCA, Wright could view 2026 as a rebound opportunity and a potential move up to Xfinity if able to attract backing.
For Brent Crews:
Current JGR pipeline: As a JGR-backed driver with multiple ARCA wins in 2025, Crews is a natural candidate for advancement. Performance under pressure: His Watkins Glen effort—dominant until mechanical failure—highlights both his potential and resilience.
Article-Style Summary
Title: Rumors Swirl: Could Kris Wright Leapfrog Brent Crews for a JGR Xfinity Seat in 2026?
Subtitle: Wright’s ARCA resurgence stakes his claim—but Crews remains front-running in the Joe Gibbs pipeline.
As the 2025 motorsports season winds down, speculative chatter has surfaced suggesting Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) may consider signing Kris Wright for a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series ride in 2026—potentially putting him ahead of Brent Crews.
Wright’s Background: After being tapped in late 2024 by Our Motorsports to drive their No. 5 full-time in Xfinity, Wright’s stint came to an abrupt end in July 2025, when he and the team mutually parted ways . Since then, Wright has returned to the ARCA scene, competing selectively with Venturini Motorsports .
Crews’ Rising Star: In contrast, Crews, who competed with Venturini previously, joined Joe Gibbs Racing in January 2025 for a part-time schedule across all three ARCA Series divisions and has since captured multiple victories (including wins at Phoenix and Rockingham), establishing himself as a proven prospect in the JGR development system . At the General Tire 100 at Watkins Glen, Crews dominated before a battery failure relegated him to ninth—a race won by Tristan McKee, with Wright finishing a strong third .
The Outlook: Despite the buzz, there’s no concrete confirmation that JGR is evaluating Wright for 2026 over Crews. If JGR were seriously considering both, the choice would center on experience versus pipeline loyalty: Wright offers Xfinity experience and adaptability, while Crews brings age-on-his-side momentum and deep ties to JGR.
As things stand, Crews looks positioned to ascend naturally within JGR’s program, while Wright continues to rebuild with Venturini in ARCA. Whether channels open for him in 2026 may hinge on sponsorship alignment, further performance leaps, or shifts within team strategy—but no formal deal is yet reported.
In short: a fascinating possibility—but for now, just that.
Let me know if you want a version of this more tailored to a press-release style, focused profile piece, or breakdown of how such a move would impact both drivers and JGR’s lineup strategy!
