What’s Happening?

Reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year Giovanni Ruggiero is set to make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing next week at Daytona International Speedway.

• Ruggiero will drive the team’s No. 19 at Daytona and the next race weekend at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. These races will be complemented by six ARCA races with JGR, building Ruggiero’s 2026 Speedweeks to three races, given his full-time status at TRICON Garage in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
• The 19-year-old joins an ever-growing house at JGR, as the team shifts plans from 2025 to 2026. Last season, a rotation of drivers piloted the No. 19, but this year, driver Brent Crews is expected to drive the car in at least 29 races, pending his 18th birthday on March 30.  
• While this is just a two-race schedule for Ruggiero, his starts could see him find victory lane. Beyond being behind the wheel of a competitive car, Ruggiero showed a knack for drafting tracks in 2025, finishing second in the season opener at Daytona, and winning the fall race at Talladega Superspeedway.
• Though he has a knack for that style of racing, Ruggiero will have competition both in and out of JGR. This year, the team is fielding an experienced lineup in the OAP Series with William Sawalich in the No. 18, Brandon Jones in the No. 20, and Taylor Gray in the No. 54.

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