By Vincent Delforge, Staff Writer
The seventh race of the 2025 ARCA Menards West Series season took place at Tri-City Raceway, located in West Richland, Washington. The NAPA Auto Care 150 presented by VIC’s Auto & Supply marked the start of the second half of the season.
The race was intense among the 12 drivers, and Kyle Keller emerged victorious after a final restart with six laps remaining when he managed to pull ahead of Jake Bollman (Bill McAnally Racing). The driver of the No. 71 Jan’s Racing Team finally earned his first career victory after coming so close so many times this year. This victory definitively puts him in the championship contenders’ club, for those who still had doubts.
It was also the first victory for the colorful team led by Jan Qualkenbush and crew chief Brian Kizer. A victory that Keller dedicated to the late Steve Bohanon, who died on July 31 and who played an important role in the development of his racing career. Keller is the sixth different winner in seven races this season!
It’s time to take a closer look at how the Tri-City race unfolded.
ARCA West Practice/Qualifying
Local hero and NASCAR national series star Greg Biffle was the fastest in practice in the No. 23 Sigma Performance Services Chevrolet, ahead of Jake Bollman and Central Coast Racing drivers Tanner Reif and Todd Souza. Keller was only eighth, just ahead of newcomer Tyler Brown (Rise Motorsports).
During the qualifying session, Jake Bollman took pole position, 0.23 of a second ahead of Biffle. Robbie Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team) was third, just ahead of Tanner Reif. Keller set the seventh fastest time. Bollman earned his third pole of the season in five races, driving part-time in the No. 19.
GREEN !!
Once pace car driver Chuck Welch freed the pack of furious drivers, the race got off to a blistering start! Bollman managed to maintain the lead ahead of Biffle and Kennealy.
The first yellow flag was waved on lap 13 following Eric Johnson, Jr.’s (Jerry Pitts Racing) spin in turn 1. The driver of the No. 5 Toyota had actually been pushed by Keller. The latter was surprised by Johnson, Jr.’s slowing down as he caught up with latecomer David Smith (Shockwave Racing). After a quick spin on the grass, Johnson, Jr. returned to the track. However, he later complained that his car had suffered damage after hitting a large chunk of asphalt. David Smith received the free pass.
The restart was given on lap 18, and the battle between Bollman and Biffle resumed. The two drivers were side-by-side for nearly two laps. Finally, Biffle took the lead by exiting better on the outside line of turn 1. Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing) passed Kennealy for third position.
The race settled in with Biffle leading by a second over Bollman. Keller methodically climbed the order and entered the top five on lap 30. On lap 33, Jonathan Reaume (Strike Mamba Racing) experienced problems with his left front wheel, which was crooked. However, he managed to continue his race in 11th position. Keller climbed onto the virtual podium on lap 40, taking third place from Huddleston.
Reaume ultimately lost some parts after hitting the grass on turn 2, prompting the second yellow flag of the race on lap 52. It was his teammate Blake Lothian (Strike Mamba Racing), then in 10th position, who received the free pass. The standings after this first third of the race were as follows: Greg Biffle led, ahead of Jake Bollman, Kyle Keller, Trevor Huddleston, Robbie Kennealy, Tanner Reif, Eric Johnson, Jr., Todd Souza, Tyler Brown, Blake Lothian, Jonathan Reaume (-1 lap), and David Smith (-3 laps). However, Reaume lost seven laps in the pit box for repairs and found himself dead last.
The green flag waved on lap 57 as night fell on the tri-oval. Biffle led the way as Keller and Bollman battled for second. Bollman managed to maintain the position. Behind, Kennealy and Huddleston battled for fourth place. On lap 61, Keller passed Bollman for second.
Midway race
On lap 76, the third yellow flag was waved. This was the five-minute mid-race break. David Smith, 11th, three laps back, received the free pass. The standings at the halfway point were as follows: Biffle led, ahead of Keller, Bollman, Huddleston, Kennealy, Reif, Souza, Johnson, Jr., Brown, Lothian, Smith (-2), and Reaume (-8).
The restart was given on lap 80, and Biffle maintained the lead with a superb start. Behind him, Keller made a slight mistake, and Bollman quickly took second place. Kennealy and Huddleston rubbed bodies in fourth and fifth place. Ultimately, Kennealy had the final say. At the same time, Souza took the advantage from Reif for sixth place. Reif was clearly having a difficult race, hoping to take the win like his younger brother Tyler did last year.
Biffle was increasingly threatened by Bollman, who took advantage of contact between the leader and a backmarker (Davis Smith) in Turn 2 on lap 88 to dive down the inside line. Bollman would take a full lap to take the lead on lap 89 in Turn 2. Keller also made a run back into Biffle’s rear bumper.
Shortly after, Reif hit the rear of Smith in Turn 3, taking an extra lap from him. But the Canadian veteran controlled his No. 05 Toyota and avoided another yellow.
Between laps 130 and 133, Johnson, Jr. and Souza battled side-by-side for sixth place. Johnson, Jr. ultimately had the final say. Meanwhile, Bollman led by 3.8 seconds over Keller and more than 7 seconds over Biffle.
Bollman and Reaume collide!
An incredible twist of fate occurred on lap 139 when leader Bollman pushed Reaume into a spin in turn 1, causing the fourth caution. Bollman was surprised by Reaume’s slowdown, as he caught up with Smith. It was exactly the same scenario as during the first yellow flag, but with different drivers, except for Smith. This suited Tanner Reif, eighth, who received a free pass.
The restart came on lap 145. Bollman was on the inside line and Keller was on the outside line. Keller made a great restart and didn’t give up, exiting turn 3 faster to take first place at the start of lap 146. Reif also took full advantage of this restart, moving from eighth to sixth.
Ahead, Kyle Keller gradually increased his lead and took the checkered flag with a 1.243-second lead over Bollman. Reif and Huddleston clashed as they crossed the finish line, but the championship leader held on to his advantage and fifth position.
The complete race results is as follows: Keller, Bollman, Biffle, Kennealy, Huddleston, Reif, Johnson, Jr., Souza, Brown (-1), Lothian (-2), Smith (-9) and Reaume (-18).
On Victory Lane Keller says: “Jake [Bollman] raced me super hard there. It wasn’t dirty at all. Jake and I have raced super clean all year. It was awesome to race against those guys, but Jake I felt was definitely the fastest guy there. Everybody [at Jan’s Racing] works so hard in the shop. This one’s for them. The main thing was getting this opportunity from Jan [Qualkenbush]. If it wasn’t for his equipment, his cars, my crew chief and the dedication to the team, I wouldn’t be here.”
In the championship, Keller has gained eight points and is now second, seven points behind Huddleston. Reif is now third, 15 points behind. Johnson, Jr. (-30) and Kennealy (-34) complete the top five.
The next race is on August 29th at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, for the Portland 112. This will be the second and final road track race of the season.