In the motorsports world, the spotlight often shines on the seasoned veterans. But emerging talents are ready to carve their names into the history books. One such talent is Brent Crews, a young driver whose journey is gaining attention after receiving high praise from racing legend Kevin Harvick. As Crews competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and participates in Toyota Racing Development’s driver initiative, his aspirations to become a leading figure in NASCAR and dirt racing were clear from the start.

Recently, his remarkable achievements culminated in capturing the prestigious Golden Driller trophy at the Tulsa Shootout, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star. With honors from industry icons and a track record of impressive victories, the racing community keeps buzzing by anticipating what lies ahead for this promising athlete. Meanwhile, Dale Earnhardt Jr. sought credit where due.

Brent Crews’ Rise to Stardom and Dale Earnhardt Jr’s contribution

Last year May, Kevin Harvick praised 16-year-old Brent Crews on his podcast, highlighting the young driver’s exceptional potential. When selecting his fantasy racing team, Harvick included Crews alongside established veterans like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano. It was a significant honor for Crews. Fans were hopeful he would meet Harvick’s expectations and ascend to the top levels of racing in the future.

And he did!

Recently, the Tulsa Shootout shared on

X that “Brent Crews captures the Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing Golden Driller!” This prestigious Golden Driller statue stands 76 feet tall, weighs 43,500 pounds, has a notable shoe size of 393DDD, a hard hat that fits size 112 and ranks as the sixth-tallest statue in the United States, located in front of the Tulsa Expo Center.

Freddie Craft mentioned on X that “

@BrentCrews11 has always been a talented race car driver. But now that he’s starting to grow up and mature, he’s taking the next step. Remember the name. Impressive run to start the night. Congrats to him, Matt, and Colt Smith on the W.“Crews started his career by winning the United States Pro Kart Series championship in 2016 and the Micro Max Rotax Max Challenge in Brazil in 2018. He transitioned to midget racing, becoming the youngest driver to win a POWRi national event at age 13. In 2022, he raced full-time with Nitro Motorsports in the Trans-Am TA2 ProAm Series, becoming the youngest driver to win a Trans-Am race at 14 years, 3 months, and 4 days. By 2023, he became the youngest champion in TA2 history.Dale Earnhardt Jr. remarked, “Earned some growth through the @CARSTour.” He noted that part of his development is attributed to the car tour owned and operated by himself and his team. Earnhardt Jr. co-owns the CARS Tour with Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks. They purchased the series from Jack McNelly, the founder and president.

More about the Golden Driller

In Tulsa, this iconic trophy is a coveted symbol awarded exclusively to the winners of both the Tulsa Shootout and the Chili Bowl. The Golden Driller has been a part of the International Petroleum Exposition (IPE) Building since April 8, 1996.

Though the Shootout and Chili Bowl events were established in 1986 and 1987 by Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards, respectively, they formally introduced the Golden Driller in the late 1990s. Winning this esteemed trophy is a tremendous accomplishment; for instance, Andy Hillenburg received a retroactive Golden Driller from his family in 2022 for his 1994 Chili Bowl victory, as no statue was awarded at that time.

Despite the handheld version’s manageable size, the Golden Driller holds

significant emotional value, becoming a cherished keepsake for its winners. Keith Kunz, who has won nine Drillers, proudly displays his collection in his shop in Columbus, Indiana. Similarly, Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson celebrate their successes by showcasing memorabilia and the cars they drove to victory.

Ultimately, the Golden Driller represents individual achievement, whether placed, on a shelf or in a dedicated trophy room. It pays tribute to the vibrant racing culture in Tulsa. What do you think about Brent Crews’ future in racing?