At Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, California, Mason Massey made an immediate impact by winning the Oil Workers 150 on March 1, 2026, marking his first-ever competition in the ARCA Menards Series West. Joining the Bill McAnally Racing team after years in other racing divisions, Massey’s debut victory highlights his potential as he seeks to help the team bounce back following a challenging 2025 season. His performance demonstrated resilience and adaptability on the West Coast circuit, showcasing the emergence of a promising contender.
Massey’s Transition to the West Series and Race Strategy
Mason Massey, originally from Douglasville, Georgia, brought extensive racing experience to the West Series despite never having competed in it before. His background includes numerous starts in Pro Late Models, Super Late Models, and dirt late models, along with 98 combined appearances in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series. Although unacquainted with the West Series, Massey benefited from the expertise of Bill McAnally Racing, a program known for producing champions like Todd Gilliland, Jesse Love, Brendan Gaughan, and Eric Holmes.
The race at Kern Raceway involved managing a strong field of 22 starters, including 12 rookies. Massey demonstrated patience by conserving tires early on while staying within the top five. This strategy positioned him well to challenge race leader Sean Hingorani late in the event. On a critical restart, Massey overtook Hingorani for the lead and successfully defended his position through two overtime restarts to claim the win.
Race Highlights and Key Competitors’ Performances
The event was marked by competitive racing among newcomers and veterans alike. Sean Hingorani dominated much of the race before losing his lead to Massey in the final laps. Taylor Mayhew, son of seven-time West Series champion David Mayhew, impressed in his own West Series debut by finishing third. Mayhew showed composure during the overtime restarts but narrowly missed overtaking Massey, eventually losing second to Eric Nascimento Jr. in a photo finish.
“I’m super proud of me and the whole team,”
Mayhew said.
“A huge thanks to my spotter Spencer Davis for driver coaching me through the whole thing. I had a hot rod for my first time racing [in the West Series]. I didn’t need that last restart, but we worked with what we got and I’m happy to end up P3.”
?Taylor Mayhew, Driver
Defending West Series champion Trevor Huddleston, who previously swept both events at Kern Raceway, settled for fourth place, while Hingorani took fifth. Other top-ten finishers were Massey’s teammate Hailie Deegan, Joey Iest, Jade Avedisian, Gavin Ray, and Cole Denton, rounding out a competitive field.
Significance of Massey’s Win for Bill McAnally Racing and the West Series
Massey’s impressive debut marks a milestone for Bill McAnally Racing, which earned its 101st victory as a car owner. This win is the first for the team since Jake Bollman’s rain-shortened triumph at Colorado National Speedway last May. The victory signals a potential resurgence for McAnally, as the team looks to reclaim its dominant position in the West Series.
“I don’t think it [gets better than this],”
Massey said.
“All these guys work super hard at [Bill McAnally Racing]. I had a hot rod tonight thanks to [my crew chief] Ty [Joiner]. He really got this baby going and it was a lot of fun out there.”
?Mason Massey, Driver
With a long season ahead, Massey’s standout effort illustrates his readiness to contend with the series’ best on West Coast tracks. Consistent performances like this will be crucial as McAnally’s team aims to return to championship form in the 2026 campaign.
Looking Ahead to the Next ARCA Menards Series West Event
After the thrilling race at Kern Raceway, the ARCA Menards Series West drivers will prepare quickly for the upcoming combination event with the national ARCA Menards Series at Phoenix Raceway on March 6, 2026. The General Tire 150 is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Mountain Time, with live coverage airing on FS1. This event presents another important opportunity for Massey and his competitors to solidify their standings early in the season and build momentum at a premier venue.
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