The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series West will combine forces once again on Thursday at Phoenix Raceway for the General Tire 150, scheduled to start at 4 p.m. MT (6 p.m. ET) and broadcast on FS1. This event marks the second race of the season for both series and continues the tradition of racing at the one-mile oval located in Avondale, Arizona.
For the ARCA Menards Series, this will be the seventh time competing at Phoenix Raceway, while the West Series boasts a much longer history with over 50 races held there since 1977. The track has long been a stage for notable drivers and intense competition in both series.
Historical Importance of Phoenix Raceway in ARCA and NASCAR History
Phoenix Raceway holds a rich legacy, especially for the West Series, where legendary NASCAR Cup Series drivers such as Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, Neil Bonnett, and Bobby Allison frequently raced in earlier decades. Additionally, combo events at Phoenix featured Cup drivers like Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt, and Alan Kulwicki, who all notched victories during joint races with the West Series.
More recently, Phoenix has seen many prominent ARCA winners including Connor Zilisch, Brent Crews, Ty Gibbs, William Sawalich, and Sammy Smith, highlighting the track as a key venue in ARCA competition.
Key Competitors Bringing Momentum into the General Tire 150
Mason Massey, from Douglasville, Georgia, enters the race with considerable momentum after winning his ARCA Menards Series West debut at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, driving the No. 19 Chevrolet for Bill McAnally Racing. Massey aims to sustain this winning streak as the two series join forces at Phoenix.
Joining the battle will be Max Reaves of Joe Gibbs Racing, making both his first appearance of the 2026 season and his debut at Phoenix Raceway. Reaves will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of his teammate Brent Crews, who swept the Phoenix ARCA races last year.
Hailie Deegan returns to the West Series competition as Massey’s teammate at Phoenix, marking her first national ARCA Menards Series start in six years since 2020. Taylor Reimer will move from driving the No. 77 at Daytona to the No. 13 Toyota for Central Coast Racing this week, while Pinnacle Racing Group will field entries for Watkins Glen winner Tristian McKee and rising talent Carson Brown.
Strong Team Presence and Expanded Driver Lineup
Nitro Motorsports is entering six drivers in the race, including Isabella Robusto, Thomas Annunziata, Jade Avedisian, Mia Lovell, Julian DaCosta, and Jake Bollman. Taylor Mayhew, fresh from a third-place finish at Kern, will once again pilot the No. 17 for owner Bruce Cook, joined by teammate Jaiden Reyna in the No. 42.
Defending West Series champion Trevor Huddleston will pursue his first Phoenix victory alongside High Point Racing‘s Andrew Chapman. Jan’s Racing Team returns with Robbie Kennealy and Cole Denton behind the wheel of two additional entries. Other notable drivers in the lineup include Jason and Isaac Kitzmiller, Ryan Vargas, Eric Johnson Jr., Andy Jankowiak, Bobby Earnhardt, Brad Perez, Monty Tipton, and Gavin Ray.
Race Regulations, Qualifying Procedures, and Entry Restrictions
The General Tire 150 field will be limited to 32 starters plus provisionals, adhering to the 2026 ARCA Menards Series rules, with all competitors required to comply with official ARCA decisions. Vehicles or members may be barred from competition and pit areas for outstanding fines, debts, or suspensions.
The starting grid will be determined through timed qualifying sessions, with strict regulations that no adjustments or repairs can be made after entering pit road to qualify. Every driver must complete practice sessions before participating in qualifying.
During the race, a mandated break pitting procedure will take place around Lap 75, with no tire swapping allowed once the race starts. The total tire allotment, combining tires brought from home and those purchased at the track, is capped at 12 per vehicle.
Significance of the Phoenix Event in the ARCA Menards Series Calendar
The General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway represents an important early-season test where seasoned veterans and rising stars from both ARCA divisions contend for supremacy. The combination of the national and West Series intensifies competition, offering a rare chance to gauge momentum going into the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
The rich history of NASCAR legends competing at Phoenix sets a high bar of prestige and expectation, while the current crop of competitive drivers like Mason Massey, Max Reaves, and Hailie Deegan, highlight the growing depth and excitement within the ARCA Menards Series Phoenix races.
