The fifth race of the 2025 ARCA Menards West Series season took place at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, CA.
The NAPA Auto Parts 150 was won by championship leader Trevor Huddleston. The High Point Racing driver made the sweep, having already won the first race held on this half-mile oval on January 25th. And just like in the first race of the season, he took the checkered flag ahead of Kyle Keller.
With this second victory this season in five races, Huddleston solidified his championship lead, extending his lead to nine points over Tanner Reif and 11 points over Keller.
There will now be almost a month without racing, as the West Series drivers will meet again on July 11th in Sonoma, CA for the first of two road course races of the year.
In the championship Trevor Huddleston now has 259 points, nine more than Tanner Reif. (250). Kyller Keller is third with 248 points ahead of Eric Johnson, Jr. (244) and Robbie Kennealy (241).
Driver & owner point standings: www.racing-reference.info/standings/2025/AW/
The next race is on July 11 for the General Tire 200 at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA where we expect around thirty cars.
After each race, we are going to detail the statistics for each driver, embellished with the reactions collected from many of them, drivers, owners and crew chiefs
ARCA West quick stats at KHKR
-72nd season in history.
-Race No. 1033 since the inception of the West Series in 1954.
-2025 race No. 5 of 12.
-696th paved oval race in history.
-17th race at KHKR since 2013.
-294th win for Ford, the seventh at KHKR Among the manufacturers at KHKR, Toyota leads the dance at KHKR with 9 wins ahead of Ford (7) and Chevrolet (1). The all-time most successful manufacturer is Ford with 294 wins.
-Fifth win for owner Tim Huddleston, the second at KHKR.
-Fifth win for High Point Racing, the second at KHKR.
-The all-time most successful owners in history are Bill McAnally (76), Fred Elder (45), Bob Bruncati (42) and Ernie Conn (41).
-The all-time most successful teams in history are Bill McAnally Racing (100), McCoy Racing (54), The Racing Farmers (47), Bruncati Racing (42) and Gene Price Motorsports (26).
-The most successful team at KHKR is Bill McAnally Racing with 6 wins.
-Seventh win for Trevor Huddleston (82nd career start) and second at KHKR (both in 2025).
-Derek Kraus is the most successful pilot at KHKR with 4 wins. In all, 10 different drivers have won at least one race.
-First career pole for Kyle Keller (38th career start), the first at KHKR. Keller is the 215th pole winner in history.
-Second pole for owner Jan Qualkenbush and for Jan’s Racing Team. The first in 2025 and the first at KHKR.
-Bill McAnally Racing is the most successful teams with seven poles at KHKR.
-The most successful team in history is Bill McAnally Racing with 82 poles.
-The most successful owner in history is Bill McAnally with 55 poles.
-257th pole for Ford, the fifth at KHKR. Among the manufacturers at KHKR, Toyota leads with 10 poles ahead of Ford (5) and Chevrolet (2).
-The all-time most successful manufacturer is Chevrolet with 263.
-The pole sitter has won the race six times. Whoever started second has won four times.
-Trevor Huddleston is the driver who won the race from the worst starting position, 15th. The previous record was held by Dylan Lupton with the ninth position in 2014.
-The track record is owned by Gray Gaulding at 100.514 mph achieved in 2013.
-As far as yellow flags are concerned, the record is 8 (three times). The 2015 race holds the record for the number of yellow flag laps with 43.
-The record for the fewest caution is one in January 25, 2025. The previous record was 3 (the previous four races). With just 8 laps behind the pace car, the 2025 race (January 25) holds the record for fewest laps under yellow flags.
-The most leader changes occurred in 2016 with 9. The fewest leader change is zero in 2019 and 2024.
-The largest starting field was in 2013 with 28 cars.
-The smallest starting field was in 2025 with 12 cars (previous smallest field in 2019 with 13 cars).
-The driver with the most races is Takuma Koga (11).
-The driver with the most wins is Derek Kraus (4)
-The driver with the most poles is Todd Gilliland (3)
-The drivers with the most top5 is Trevor Huddleston with 7.
-The driver with the most top10 is Trevor Huddleston with 10. David Mayhew and Todd Souza follows with 9.
-The drivers with the most laps is Trevor Huddleston with 1530 laps ahead of Takuma Koga with 1462.
-The driver with the most laps lead is Derek Kraus (368).
-Four times the race has been extended by an overtime (2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019).
-First career attempt in West Series for: (1) Andrew Chapman
-First career start in West Series for: (1) Andrew Chapman
-First career attempt at KHKR in West Series for (2 drivers): Andrew Chapman and Jonathan Reaume
-First career start at KHKR in West Series for (2 drivers): Andrew Chapman and Jonathan Reaume
-Best career result in West Series for Robbie Kennealy (3rd) Andrew Chapman (6th) and Jonathan Reaume (8th)
-First career Top-10 result in West Series for: Andrew Chapman (6th) and Jonathan Reaume (8th)
-First career Top-5 result in West Series for: none
-13th win for the No. 50 in history. The second at KHKR (both in 2025).
-Fifth pole for the No. 71 in history. The first at KHKR.
-24th career win for crew chief Jeff Schrader. The third at KHKR (2014 with Dylan Lupton and both 2025 with Trevor Huddleston)
-First career pole for crew chief Brian Kizer.
The Drivers
No. 05 David Smith (Shockwave Racing) Start: 13th –Fin: 11th
No top 10 finish this time for the Canadian, unlike in the race held here in January. He received a free pass once on lap 85. Tired late in the race, he slowed down and lost two laps in the last 50 laps to the leader. But the car was running well and suffered no damage. The next race will be on a road track in Sonoma, the type of circuit on which Smith has the most experience.
No. 1 Robbie Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team) Start: 4th – fin: 3rd
A career-best result for the eldest of the Kennealy brothers. A fine third place finish that could have even become a second, as he overtook his teammate Keller at the final restart. But the latter ultimately reclaimed that position. It’s worth noting that early in the race, Robbie had deliberately allowed himself to slip from fourth to eighth position as a tire-saving strategy.
This proved to be a success. “Career best podium P3 finish in the Arca West series on Father’s Day weekend at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. I know dad was watching proud all night long. Thankful to Jan Qualkenbush and the entire Jan’s Racing Team for the opportunity and fighting hard all day long. Getting closer and closer every race. Onto Sonoma next,” Robbie Kennealy said.
No. 3 Todd Souza (Central Coast Racing) Start: 10th – Fin: 13th crash
2025 isn’t smiling on Souza, yet he still offers fans a superb show on the track. While running eighth, he was hit by Joey Kennealy entering turn 3 after the latter lost his brakes. The impact with the wall was enough to force the driver of the No. 3 to retire. Not without reversing out onto the track to show their displeasure to the rookie Kennealy.The CCR team didn’t attempt a repair with barely twenty laps remaining, less than seven minutes of racing.
No. 5 Eric Johnson, Jr. (Jerry Pitts Racing) Start: 9th – Fin: 5th
For the second time this season, Johnson, Jr. finished fifth at KHKR. But he had to fight hard to achieve this result. He had to start from the back of the pack following a parts change after the qualifying session. A right rear axle seal had broken during practice.
The driver of the No. 5 car gradually climbed the leaderboard while maintaining the effectiveness of his tires. He entered the top five on lap 103 and even managed to temporarily occupy fourth position on lap 140, facing Tanner Reif. But the latter would have the last word. “Salvaged another hard-fought Top-5 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.
“’Grit’ is how I’d sum up our night. Some harsh balance issues in the summer heat and a mechanical hiccup in qualifying left us starting deep in the field with some work to do, but this team never quit. We dug in, found some speed, and clawed our way to another Top-5. Lost a few points, but our favorite tracks are up next. We’ll be looking to gain some ground at Sonoma on July 11th..Proud of this team, our partners, and everyone else involved. We’ll keep digging!” Johnson, Jr. said.
No. 6 Buddy Shepherd (Jerry Pitts Racing) Start: 5th – Fin: 15th engine
Shepherd was having a superb race and was in fourth place on lap 102 when his engine suddenly shut down. He returned to his pit box but was unable to return to the track. It was a shame, but his misfortune would make his teammate Johnson, Jr. happy, as he took over and still delivered a top-five finish for Jerry Pitts Racing.
No. 9 Joey Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team) Start: 8th – Fin: 14th crash
Disappointment for Joey who had a great race and seemed to be heading towards his first top 10 without too much difficulty even though he felt in the first third of the race that his brakes were soft, which prevented him from running in the top 10.
He fought almost the entire race with the veteran Souza and while he tried to take the eighth position by diving inside in turn 3 on lap 128, his rear brakes gave up and he went into a slide, taking Souza with him against the outside wall. Result, a retirement and a 14th position.
But the raw result does not reflect the great overall performance put in by Joey and his sister and crew chief Harley. “Had a incredible experience this weekend! Jan Qualkenbush gave me an opportunity to race his ARCA car at Kern Raceway.
“We started of on a learning curve finding what I needed to do to get around the racetrack, we qualified p8 and fell back at the start of the race fighting a loose car, we were able to stable out the car at the break, and after a hard battle for 50 laps unfortunately lost brakes entering turn 3 and ended my and a competitor’s night.
“Overall a learning experience and I cant thank Jan enough. Congrats to my teammates on a top 3 finish! Kyle Keller and Robbie Kennealy. A huge thanks to all the people that helped me get here!” Joey Kennealy said.
No. 13 Tanner Reif (Central Coast Racing) Stat: 3rd – Fin: 4th
Tanner Reif earned a solid fourth place, but he lacked consistency throughout the race. He quickly moved into second place behind Bollman and even took advantage of the restart on lap 50 to take the lead with a superb overtake on the outside line.
While he easily held onto first place until lap 88, he was overtaken on the outside line on lap 89 by Huddleston. Why not protect this outside line, which seemed to be the fastest since the start of the race? It’s a mystery.
Reif then remained in second place until lap 115 before being overtaken by Keller and Robbie Kennealy. The CCR driver managed to hold onto fourth place ahead of Johnson, Jr. In the end, it was still a good haul of points.
“Had this song stuck in my head all weekend. Ended up P4 at Kern Raceway after I sent the last restart a little to hard. Can’t thank the Central Coast Racing guys enough for a sweet ride! We definitely have the momentum to take “Lucky 13” back to the top of the board. Back to working hard.” Reif said.
No. 19 Jake Bollman (Bill McAnally Racing) Start: 2nd – Fin: 12th
Bollman didn’t make the pole but took command of the race on the second lap. He was easily the leader until the restart on lap 50 when he was overtaken by Reif by the outside line. He stayed just behind until the midway break. But bad luck… as the team detected a problem with his right rear axle. After the repairs, the driver of the No. 19 car returned to the track in last position, 10 laps behind the leaders.
At that point, he was the fastest on the track and would eventually gain a few positions following the retirements of three of his rivals. It’s worth noting that he also set the fastest lap of the race in 19.282 seconds on lap four. “Our NAPA 100th anniversary Chevy was really fast tonight. We were able to make the outside lane work right off the start and got to the lead early.
“I was trying to pace myself and take care of the tires. After that restart, the top lane went, and I was just getting us to the halfway break. Unfortunate to break an axle, but the guys did a good job to get it fixed. Disappointing to end the night that way, but it’s great to be driving fast racecars each week.” Bollman said.
No. 23 Jaron Giannini (Clark Racing) Start: 7th – Fin: 7th
Giannini finished seventh in October 2024 in his first race at KHKR. He achieved the same result after a good race. But could he have hoped for better? Yes and no. He gradually slipped down the rankings between the start and the halfway point of the race. Eleventh for the restart of the second segment, he re-entered the top 10 on lap 80 in ninth position. He took advantage of the retirements of Shepherd and Pedroncelli, Jr. to take seventh position.
No. 50 Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing) Start: 15th – Fin: 1st
Everything has been said in the race review that I invite you to read. Huddleston had a superb race with a quick and methodical comeback from the back of the pack. Because he had not made the qualifying session due to brake problems.
A problem that his team led by his crew chief Jeff Schrader perfectly solved. He passed Reif via the outside line on lap 89 following a perfect restart, which earned him the Reese’s Move Of The Race award, and then managed his opponents until the checkered flag.
He swept the KHKR with this second victory of the season. In the championship, he extended his lead to nine points over Tanner Reif. “What an amazing race, thank you all for coming out. I’m out of breath, I’ve been holding it for the past 100 laps,” Huddleston said in Victory Lane.
No. 51 Blake Lothian (Strike Mamba Racing) Start: 11st – Fin: 9th
The competition was tougher than in January with drivers as Shepherd, Pedroncelli, Jr., and Giannini. But the rookie used the experience he’d gained since the start of the season to raise his game. He was much more consistent in his lap times. He even stayed on the leader’s lap until lap 130 despite a car that was too tight. This ninth position is a positive result, and this third consecutive top 10 proves that he’s improving race after race.
“Top 10 night! A hard fought P9 on Saturday night! Fired off really good but as the laps clicked off we trended a bit too tight. Next up Sonoma time to go left and right! Really proud of this SMR crew and all of our sponsors!” Lothian said.
No. 55 Andrew Chapman (High Point Racing) Start: 12th – Fin: 6th
Starting from the back of the pack following unapproved adjustments, Chapman had to fight hard to gain positions. He began his comeback from lap 20, once he found his racing pace.
He joined the top 10 on lap 30. It was only after the midway break that he really showed himself to be a candidate for the top 5. He navigated in a group consisting of Pedroncelli, Jr., Giannini and Lothian. Long in eighth position, he took advantage of Shepherd and Pedroncelli, Jr.’s problems to gain two positions and finished sixth, not far from Johnson, Jr. For his first race in the West Series, Chapman did not disappoint and we are eagerly awaiting his return to the wheel of the No. 55.
No. 68 P.J. Pedroncelli, Jr. (Rodd Racing) Start: 6th – Fin: 10th
In his first race of the season, P.J. reminded everyone that he is a very fast driver. He fought for the top 5 throughout the race but unfortunately suffered an electrical problem on the 145th of 150 laps, forcing him to park his No. 68 in the pit lane. He still finished 10th in the race.
This is a disappointment for two reasons.
The first reason is a disappointment for him and his Rodd Racing team because the work put in is not being properly rewarded. The second reason is for us, the spectators, because we would love to have a driver like P.J. full-time.
No. 71 Kyle Keller (Jan’s Racing Team) Start: 1st – Fin: 2nd
Polesitter for the first time in his career, Keller led the first lap before being overtaken by Bollman. He then stayed between second and fourth position throughout the race to finish second behind Huddleston, just like last January.
But could Keller have won? Probably yes, if at the last restart, his teammate Robbie Kennealy had not momentarily taken second position behind the leader. The gap created at that moment by Huddleston could not be closed by the driver of the No. 71 despite a slightly faster pace than the leader in the final laps. But victory is getting closer and closer.
“P2 again. So close just needed a few more laps. But overall a good weekend was able to get my first pole award! We will get that win soon. Thank you to Jan Qualkenbush and the whole Jan’s Racing Team for all their hard work in the shop and at the track! Let’s go attack Sonoma Raceway next.” Keller said.