The ARCA Menards Series delivered intense stock car racing at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, KS, during the Reese’s 150 event. The race showcased fierce competition as drivers battled on the 1.5-mile track, resulting in dramatic ARCA Menards Kansas results with Brenden Queen emerging as the winner.
Starting strong, Brenden Queen and Giovanni Ruggiero secured the front row positions as 100 laps of high-stakes racing awaited the skilled drivers.
Key Moments Define the Battle for the Lead
At the start, Queen got the early advantage, but Ruggiero quickly countered, taking the lead entering turn one and maintaining it through the first several laps. With 85 laps remaining, Ruggiero extended his lead to two seconds until Bobby Dale Earnhardt crashed into the wall with a flat tire, prompting a caution.
This incident shuffled the race order when Ruggiero pitted from the lead, allowing Queen to inherit first place as Ruggiero restarted sixth. The contest heated up as Queen, Ruggiero, and Corey Day ran wheel to wheel, showcasing close racing around the speedway.
Further tensions arose with Lavar Scott‘s near-miss against the wall and his subsequent tire blowout with 54 laps left, bringing out another caution and the race’s halfway break.
Strategic Pit Stops Shift the Race Balance
During the caution with 54 laps remaining, Queen chose to pit while Ruggiero stayed on the track, cycling the lead back to him. The restart featured a tight three-wide battle among Ruggiero, Queen, and Leland Honeyman, with Ruggiero solidifying his position at the front after Honeyman lost control briefly in turn three.
With 25 laps left, Ruggiero held a 1.5-second edge over Queen, but the younger driver’s fresher tires hinted at a potential charge. However, the atmosphere turned tense again when Corey Day experienced a smoky issue from third place, forcing another caution as he drove to the pit lane.
Dramatic Final Laps and Overtime Push Queen to Victory
On the green flag restart, Queen leveraged a push from Mason Mitchell to overtake Ruggiero and pull clear. As the laps dwindled, Queen maintained a steady lead despite pressure from Ruggiero, stretching his advantage to ten car lengths with nine laps remaining.
Despite a final caution caused by Andy Jankowiak crashing into the wall, Queen held his focus during multiple overtime restarts. The first overtime restart saw Queen jump ahead as Ruggiero struggled with tire spin, but the caution appeared again after Thad Moffitt spun behind the leaders.
During the second overtime, Queen maintained control through the first turn, staving off Ruggiero’s aggressive drive into turn three and securing the win at Kansas Speedway in a tight finish filled with anxiety and intensity.
Final Standings from the Reese’s 150 Race
The top ten finishers in the ARCA race were led by Brenden Queen, followed closely by Giovanni Ruggiero in second and Leland Honeyman in third. Kris Wright, Taylor Reimer, Mason Mitchell, and Thad Moffitt completed the top seven, with Andrew Patterson, Jason Kitzmiller, and Isabella Robusto rounding out the top ten.
Below is the full finishing order:
1. Brenden Queen
2. Giovanni Ruggiero
3. Leland Honeyman
4. Kris Wright
5. Taylor Reimer
6. Mason Mitchell
7. Thad Moffitt
8. Andrew Patterson
9. Jason Kitzmiller
10. Isabella Robusto
12. Eloy Falcon
13. Tyler Reif
14. Ryan Roulette
15. Tony Cosentino
16. Takuma Koga
17. Eric Cosentino
18. Andy Jankowiak
19. Alex Clubb
20. Jeff Maconi
21. Brayton Laster
22. Michael Maples
23. Corey Day
24. Brad Smith
25. Lavar Scott
26. Bobby Dale Earnhardt
27. Ed Pompa
28. Kevin Hinckle
29. Matt Kemp
The Race’s Impact and What Lies Ahead
Brenden Queen’s narrow victory at Kansas highlights the unpredictable nature of the ARCA Menards Series and the intense rivalries among rising talents such as Giovanni Ruggiero and Leland Honeyman. With strategic pit decisions and cautious restarts shaping outcomes, this race underscores the importance of tire management and split-second choices.
The ARCA Menards Kansas results will add momentum to Queen’s season and could influence the tactics of competitors in upcoming contests at tracks throughout the NASCAR and ARCA schedules. Fans and teams alike will closely monitor how these drivers continue to evolve in this fiercely competitive series.
