SPRINGFIELD, Unwell. — Nearly precisely two years in the past, Brent Crews picked up his maiden ARCA Menards Sequence checkered flag on the historic Springfield Mile on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Though he was 15 on the time, Crews showcased veteran composure that afternoon by main 64 laps from the pole and successful by 20 seconds.
The ultimate margin of victory for Crews in Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100 at Springfield was not fairly as substantial, however the younger prospect was simply as environment friendly.
As soon as Crews overtook Brenden “Butterbean” Queen for the lead early, the motive force of the No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota was unstoppable as he picked up his third nationwide ARCA Menards Sequence victory of 2025 and fourth total on the platform.
“That is considered one of my favourite races on the schedule,” Crews mentioned. “I received Springfield two years in the past, after which I received at [the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds] final 12 months, so I’ve had quite a lot of success on the grime.
“We had an absolute sizzling rod immediately, and it was a blast to drive. I want we had been in a position to get some follow and qualifying in, however I felt like that sort of labored out to our benefit.”
Whereas Sunday was Crews’ debut ARCA outing with Nitro, his historical past with this system dates to his youth. Nitro was the crew that guided Crews to 10 victories and a title throughout his time competing within the Trans Am Championship TA2 class. The group additionally assisted Crews with the creation of his personal NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence program, which formally made its debut at Watkins Glen Worldwide final weekend.
Within the crew’s first full-time season of ARCA Menards Sequence competitors, Nitro has discovered victory lane twice. Treyten Lapcevich gave this system its debut win at Michigan’s Berlin Raceway in a wire-to-wire efficiency in June, and Thomas Annunziata secured Nitro a checkered flag at Lime Rock Park, a street course with which Nitro was lengthy acquainted.
For Nitro’s first ARCA Menards Sequence dirt-track race, enlisting the assistance of Crews was a straightforward determination.
All seven of Crews’ prior appearances on the platform this 12 months had are available a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, but the cohesion he possessed with Nitro instantly materialized as quickly because the inexperienced flag waved for the Allen Crowe 100.
Although inclement climate prevented any observe time beforehand, as each follow and qualifying had been canceled, Crews utilized the identical technique that allowed him to get pleasure from a commanding victory at Springfield two years earlier. With clear air on his nostril, Crews saved his automotive glued to the underside groove and proceeded to knock down one excellent lap after one other.
The presence of Venturini Motorsports in Victory Lane did give Crews a flashback to the 2023 Springfield race, as he drove considered one of their vehicles that day.
Nitro fashioned a detailed technical alliance with Venturini firstly of the season and can assume full management of the operation in 2026.
With a lot expertise, management and chemistry to depend upon, Crews anticipated nothing greater than a easy, methodical drive round Springfield on Sunday.
“My guys grinded all week getting this factor precisely the place it wanted to be,” Crews mentioned. “These guys by no means cease till this factor is ideal, and we work as late as we are able to. They’ve performed a fully superb job.”
Following Crews dwelling in second was Lavar Scott, with Kelly Kovski, Queen and Sean Corr finishing the highest 5.
The remainder of the highest 10 consisted of Max Reaves, Brayton Laster, Alex Clubb, Brad Smith and Jason Kitzmiller.
