Mason Massey, driving the No. 19 Brunt Boots/Mongoose Power Solutions Chevrolet, captured his inaugural ARCA Menards Series West victory in his very first start at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway during the Oil Workers 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame on Saturday. Massey gained the lead on a late-race restart with 14 laps remaining and successfully fended off intense challenges through multiple restarts in regulation and overtime to secure the win.
Bill McAnally Racing Marks Milestone with 101st Series Win
This victory also marked an important milestone for Bill McAnally Racing, bringing their total wins in the series to 101. The team’s continued success remains a benchmark in the ARCA Menards Series West.
Eric Nascimento Jr. Climbs to Second with Late-Race Charge
Eric Nascimento Jr., behind the wheel of the No. 4 Impact Transportation / RJ’s Paintshop Toyota, leveraged several chaotic overtime restarts to surge from just outside the top five at the end of regulation to finish in second place. This result ties his best career finish at the All-American Speedway earlier in 2024, highlighting his growing competitiveness in the series.
Taylor Mayhew Impresses in Series Debut with Third-Place Finish
Taylor Mayhew, driving the No. 17 MMI Services Chevrolet, made a strong impression in his ARCA Menards Series West debut by securing third place. Mayhew spent much of the race in the front pack, reaching as high as second and starting on the front row for the final two restarts before narrowly losing the position to Nascimento at the finish.
Trevor Huddleston Continues Strong Form with Fourth Place
Reigning ARCA Menards Series West champion Trevor Huddleston, piloting the No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford, finished fourth. Huddleston had previously won the last two series events at Kern Raceway, maintaining his competitive edge despite falling short of the podium this time.
Sean Hingorani Leads Most Laps but Faces Late Challenges
Two-time series champion Sean Hingorani, in the No. 13 Central Coast Cabinets Toyota, dominated much of the race by leading a race-high 136 laps. However, on the lap 136 restart, Massey pushed Hingorani higher up the track, and in the final 10 laps, Hingorani was shuffled by several drivers, eventually finishing fifth.
Notable Performances Across the Field
Hailie Deegan, driving the No. 16 NAPA Auto Parts/Monster Energy Chevrolet, secured sixth place in her first standalone ARCA Menards Series West start since 2019. Joey Iest, behind the wheel of the No. 88 Shockwave Marine Suspension Seating Systems Ford, faded late to finish seventh after running as high as third during the mid-race stages. Jade Avedisian earned eighth despite late-race pressure, having earlier captured her first career Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Award in qualifying.
Rounding out the top ten were Gavin Ray in the No. 7 Component West Toyota and Cole Denton driving the No. 71 Jan’s Towing Ford, who also made his series debut. Meanwhile, reigning ARCA Menards Series West Bounty Rookie of the Year Robbie Kennealy faced a tough outing, dropping out at midway point due to transmission problems.
Race Dynamics Include Multiple Cautions and Overtime Restarts
The event experienced eight caution periods that disrupted the rhythm of the race, including one that triggered a second overtime attempt. Massey led the last 31 laps, including 17 during overtime, as he expertly managed the high-pressure scenario to maintain his lead.
Upcoming ARCA Menards Series West Event at Phoenix Raceway
The ARCA Menards Series West will return to action at the General Tire 150, a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series, at Phoenix Raceway. Scheduled for Thursday, March 5, the race will start at 6 pm ET/4 pm MT and be broadcast live on FS1 and MRN Racing network affiliates nationwide. Additionally, fans can listen on MRN.com and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, with real-time updates available on ARCARacing.com and the series’ X account (@ARCA_Racing).
Context on ARCA and Its Role in Stock Car Racing Development
Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) serves as a vital grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Acquired by NASCAR in 2018, ARCA bridges local and regional racing with national touring series by sanctioning over 100 events annually. This includes the ARCA Menards Series as well as regional tours like the East and West divisions and various ASA series, fostering driver development and competitive racing nationwide.
Menards: Supporting ARCA Through Sponsorship and Community Involvement
Menards, a family-owned home improvement retailer established in 1958, is a leading retailer in the Midwest with 236 stores across 15 states. Known for offering a wide range of products from lumber and construction materials to outdoor equipment and home essentials, Menards plays a significant role in supporting motorsports sponsorships including the ARCA Menards Series. The company emphasizes both everyday affordability and community engagement, contributing to the growth of grassroots racing.
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