The upcoming ARCA Menards Series Phoenix race on Thursday will spotlight a broad and diverse group of 40 competitors, set to compete at Phoenix Raceway beginning at 4 p.m. MT (6 p.m. ET) on FS1. This event features entrants from various backgrounds, including representation from five female drivers and several racers with Hispanic and international heritage, highlighting the inclusivity within the ARCA Menards Series Phoenix competition.
Among the women taking to the track for the General Tire 150 are Taylor Reimer, Mia Lovell, Hailie Deegan, Isabella Robusto, and Jade Avedisian. Joining them are seasoned racers like Takuma Koga, originally from Japan, as well as Brad Perez, Jaiden Reyna, and Ryan Vargas, each of whom have Hispanic roots, illustrating the race’s cultural breadth.
Profiles of Female Drivers and Diverse Competitors
Taylor Reimer enters her second ARCA Menards Series race in 2026, this time piloting the No. 13 Toyota for Central Coast Racing. Known for her experience on dirt tracks and her background as a competitive cheerleader, Reimer is eager to rebound after placing 30th in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Mia Lovell, a Chinese American driver, will make her second ARCA Menards Series start, driving for Nitro Motorsports. Lovell transitioned from a professional skateboarding career into racing and is preparing for the unique challenge of Phoenix’s one-mile oval, following her recent 12th-place finish in the ARCA Menards Series West opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.
Three-time West Series victor Hailie Deegan made a strong return to the ARCA Menards Series West at Kern Raceway, starting and finishing sixth in Bill McAnally’s No. 16 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet. Deegan previously excelled at Phoenix, where she finished fourth after beginning 17th in 2019, underscoring her competitiveness on this track.
Isabella Robusto impressed observers last year with a top-six national ARCA Menards Series debut on this very track, having stayed in the top five for much of that race. Now in her second full-time ARCA Menards Series season, Robusto is determined to secure her first victory.
Rounding out the female drivers at Nitro Motorsports is Jade Avedisian, a formidable dirt-track racer who recently won the World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway. Fresh off earning her first West Series pole position at Kern, Avedisian aims to build momentum at Phoenix.
Among the more experienced drivers, Takuma Koga brings extensive knowledge from over two decades in the West Series. Since his debut in 2002, he has achieved multiple top-five finishes, not only in the West Series but also recently in the ARCA Menards Series East.
Fast Track Racing’s Brad Perez, of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage, seeks improved results after mechanical issues hindered his run last year. Known for prowess on road courses, Perez aims to expand his NASCAR and ARCA Menards Series schedule in 2026.
Jaiden Reyna, with African and Mexican American roots, will look to gain more experience after finishing 13th at Kern in his West Series debut. Influenced by his time in the NASCAR Driver Development Program, Reyna has recently been developing his skills in Late Model Stocks on the West Coast.
Ryan Vargas of California, who also has Mexican lineage, returns to Maples Motorsports’ No. 91 car. Having competed in over 70 NASCAR events and achieved two national ARCA Menards Series top-10 finishes last year, Vargas hopes to continue his strong form following an eighth-place finish at Daytona.
Pinnacle Racing Group Targets Redemption After Narrow Loss
Last year, Pinnacle Racing Group was on the cusp of a repeat victory at Phoenix Raceway when their driver Brenden “Butterbean” Queen was overtaken in a dramatic finish by Brent Crews during double overtime. A late caution set up a final-lap battle, but Crews’ audacious move in Turn 3 relegated Queen to second place.
Now, with Queen moving up to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Pinnacle Racing Group will field two entries driven by Carson Brown and Tristan McKee, both aiming to erase the disappointment from 2025. Brown impressed in his Pinnacle debut last year by finishing second at Phoenix behind Crews, while 15-year-old McKee enters with a strong record, including an ARCA Menards Series victory in his debut at Watkins Glen.
Mason Massey Seeks to Extend Flawless West Series Winning Streak
Mason Massey won impressively on his first ARCA Menards Series West outing by capturing the Oil Workers 150 at Kern Raceway, passing Sean Hingorani late in the race. Previously known for competing in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series with several top-10 results, Massey now contends for the West Series championship with Bill McAnally Racing alongside teammate Hailie Deegan.
His win at Kern marked McAnally Racing’s first West Series victory since Jake Bollman’s rain-shortened success at Colorado National Speedway the previous year. Massey’s prior experience at Phoenix includes three national NASCAR starts, with his best coming in March last year when he climbed from 34th to 22nd.
Chasing back-to-back wins in 2026 will be challenging, especially with an influx of national ARCA Menards Series drivers joining the field, but Massey benefits from strong momentum and confidence entering the Phoenix race.
Bobby Earnhardt Builds on Encouraging Daytona Result
Bobby Earnhardt honored his late uncle, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt, by securing a ninth-place finish in the ARCA Menards Series opener at Daytona, driving the No. 89 SmartGrid Integrations Chevrolet. After an eight-year break from ARCA’s top level, Earnhardt has re-established himself on the circuit, maintaining a partnership with Rise Racing for the 2026 season.
At Daytona, Earnhardt qualified seventh and stayed near the front for much of the race, finishing well with an undamaged car. Phoenix will test Earnhardt’s adaptability due to its different racing dynamics, which include frequent braking and aerodynamic factors. Another clean performance could keep him solidly inside the top 10 in the standings after two events.
Other Noteworthy Drivers and Teams Entered for Phoenix
Joe Gibbs Racing aims to continue its Phoenix success after sweeping the ARCA Menards Series platform races there last year. Rookie Max Reaves, who achieved six wins across national and East Series in 2025, will run the No. 18 Toyota seeking to extend that momentum.
Isaac Kitzmiller, reigning ARCA Menards Series East champion, returns to the series this season driving the No. 79 Chevrolet for CR7 Motorsports. Kitzmiller, who never finished outside the top 10 during his championship season, intends to maintain that consistency in Phoenix.
Taylor Mayhew, son of seven-time ARCA Menards Series West winner David Mayhew, narrowly missed victory in his first race at Kern Raceway last weekend. Now back in Cook Racing Technologies’ No. 17 Chevrolet, Mayhew aims for another strong finish on the challenging Phoenix oval.
Significance of the Race and Outlook for the Season
The General Tire 150 at Phoenix sets the stage for a fiercely contested early-season battle in the ARCA Menards Series Phoenix event. With a field that combines seasoned veterans, rising rookies, and culturally diverse competitors, the race promises competitive intensity and dynamic storylines. Drivers like Mason Massey hope to continue perfect starts to their seasons, while others such as Pinnacle Racing Group look for redemption around the one-mile track.
As the 2026 campaign unfolds, performances at Phoenix will play a pivotal role in establishing championship contenders and shaping driver trajectories, especially as both national and West Series talents collide. The race will showcase the growing diversity and evolving talent spread across the ARCA Menards Series, offering fans an exciting mix of passion and competitive spirit.
