The ARCA Menards Series West starts its 73rd season with the Oil Workers 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. The event will begin at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT and will be broadcast live on FloRacing. This marks the 18th series race held at Kern Raceway and the 1,041st race in the history of the series. Notably, the 2026 season will also conclude at the same venue, the first time since 2018 that the finale takes place there.
Championship Contenders and Drivers to Watch in 2026
Defending 2025 champion Trevor Huddleston returns to compete for another title, driving the No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford. Huddleston previously won both Kern Raceway events last year, a track managed by his father, Tim Huddleston. His strong connection to the venue makes him a favorite at the season opener.
Hailie Deegan, a notable competitor and three-time series winner, returns full-time behind the wheel of the No. 16 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet with Bill McAnally Racing. Deegan made history in 2018 as the first female winner in the series and aims to challenge for the championship alongside her teammate Mason Massey, who pilots the No. 19 Brunt Boots / Mongoose Power Solutions Chevrolet.
Rookie of the Year Robbie Kennealy aims to build on last season’s success, driving the No. 1 Jan’s Towing Ford. Kennealy, known for his win at All American Speedway in 2025 and recent participation in the General Tire 200 at Daytona International Speedway, will be joined by new 15-year-old teammate Cole Denton, who is contending for the rookie crown.
Sean Hingorani, a two-time series champion with victories stretching across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, returns after missing 2025. Hingorani, driver of the No. 13 Central Coast Cabinets / Fidelity Capital Toyota, boasts seven career wins in 29 series races, including two wins at Kern Raceway.
Teams and Newcomers Strengthen the Series Lineup
Nitro Motorsports enters the season with three drivers: full-timers Mia Lovell (No. 15 Pine Health Toyota) and Julian DeCosta (No. 25 Austin Canvas and Awning Toyota), along with part-timer Jade Avedisian (No. 70 Mobil 1 Toyota). Avedisian has already made an impression early in 2026 with a feature win and a top-10 finish at the ASA STARS National Tour opener.
Cook Racing Technologies, champions of the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West team owner title, will field two entries for young talents—Taylor Mayhew (No. 17 MMI Toyota), son of seven-time series winner David Mayhew, and Jaiden Reyna (No. 42 MMI Chevrolet), the 2020 INEX Legends Car Young Lions national champion who will make his series debut this year.
Jerry Pitts Racing will support two drivers as well: Eric Johnson, Jr., 2024 Bounty Rookie of the Year, behind the wheel of the No. 5 Sherwin-Williams Toyota, and Gavin Ray, piloting the No. 7 Component West Toyota. Both showed strong performances in 2025 with Johnson placing fifth twice at Kern and Ray finishing sixth in the season opener.
Event Coverage and How Fans Can Follow the Action
The Oil Workers 150 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM ET on February 28, with live streaming available on FloRacing. Fans can also access live timing, scoring, and race audio through ARCARacing.com. For real-time updates and news, the series encourages followers to stay connected on X (formerly Twitter) via the handle @ARCA_Racing.
Background on ARCA and Menards’ Role in Stock Car Racing
The Automobile Racing Club of America, or ARCA, was founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and has been part of NASCAR since April 2018. It functions as a crucial link between NASCAR’s national series and grassroots racing, sanctioning over 100 races annually across multiple series, including the ARCA Menards Series West. This broad network supports regional and weekly racing, nurturing emerging talent across the United States.
Menards, a family-owned home improvement retail chain established in 1958, sponsors the ARCA Menards Series. With 236 stores in 15 states primarily across the Midwest, Menards supplies building materials, tools, gardening products, and household essentials. Its commitment to supporting local communities aligns with the grassroots spirit of ARCA racing.
What to Expect Moving Forward in the 2026 Season
The 2026 ARCA Menards Series West promises a compelling mix of experienced champions and ambitious rookies battling on familiar and new tracks. Trevor Huddleston and Hailie Deegan are set to lead intense championship pursuits, while veterans like Sean Hingorani seek to reclaim dominance after a brief hiatus. Meanwhile, talented newcomers from teams such as Cook Racing Technologies and Nitro Motorsports bring fresh energy to the competition.
The dual scheduling of Kern Raceway for both the season opener and finale adds a layer of significance to this historic track owned and operated by Kevin Harvick, a NASCAR legend. The events there will likely influence the championship outcome decisively, capturing the attention of stock car enthusiasts across the country.
