By Vincent Delforge, Staff Writer
The third race of the 2025 season, the ARCA Menards Series 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame, took place on the 0.375-mile paved oval at Tucson Speedway in Tucson, AZ, with an incredible three-wide finish between Tanner Reif, winner Eric Johnson, Jr., and Jake Bollman. The race’s mechanics were reminiscent of the old days. Tire wear management was a key factor in a race where tires couldn’t be changed. The science was to preserve one’s tires, but also to know how to increase the pace to move up the field and ultimately fight for victory.
In this game, it was Tanner Reif, his crew chief Michael Munoz, and the Central Coast Racing team who were the most successful. This allowed Reif to take the lead in the championship, tied on points with Trevor Huddleston, who finished fifth in the race.
Did you know?
By winning with Tanner Reif, crew chief Michael Munoz becomes the second crew chief in history to win with two drivers who are brothers. He won two races last year with Tyler Reif. But this is the first time this has happened in two consecutive years. As a reminder, Dick Bown won as crew chief with his two sons, Chuck (1976) and Jim (1981).
13 cars at the start… So what?
The race was very competitive with seven lead changes by six drivers. That’s almost 50% of the drivers led at least one lap during the race! To silence the detractors and eternal complainers, even with 13 cars, the spectacle can be sumptuous. And never forget that Richard Petty won 200 Cup races, but in 1961 at Richmond, he won a race with only 12 drivers at the start and six at the finish. The second had finished one lap behind and the third seven laps behind Petty. Here at Tucson the first three finished wheel to wheel. Does this victory of Petty have less value in his career? I don’t think so, because he was fighting against drivers like Buck Baker, Ned Jarrett, or Cotton Owens. The saying goes: It’s not the quantity, but the quality that counts.
Complete race results: www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2025-03/AW/
Race review: www.kickinthetires.net/nascar/arca-menards-series-west-2025-tucson-race-review/
The top five in the championship were the following: Tanner Reif (120), Trevor Huddleston (120), Eric Johnson, Jr. (115), Kyle Keller (112) and Robbie Kennealy (112.).
Driver & owner point standings: www.racing-reference.info/standings/2025/AW/
The next race is on Saturday, April 24, for the fourth race of the season. This will be the return of the West Series to the Colorado National Speedway, a .375-mile paved oval located in Erie, CO. The last race on this bullring, won by Joey Iest, dates back to 2021.
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 Tucson Speedway
-72nd season in history.
-Race No. 1031 since the inception of the West Series in 1954.
-2025 race No. 3 of 12.
-694th paved oval race in history.
-20th race at Tucson Speedway since 1993.
-Fourth win for Toyota at Tucson. Among the manufacturers, Chevrolet and Ford are tied with eight wins each ahead of Toyota (4) The all-time most successful manufacturer is Ford with 293 wins..
-Sixth win for team owner Kelly Souza and Central Coast Racing. The first at Tucson.
-The all-time most successful owners in history are Bill McAnally (99), Fred Elder (45), Bob Bruncati (42) and Ernie Conn (41). The all-time most successful teams in history are Bill McAnally Racing (99), McCoy Racing (54), The Racing Farmers (47), Bruncati Racing (42) and Gene Price Motorsports (26).
-Third career win for Tanner Reif (28th career start) and the first at Tucson.
-With four wins, Bill McAnally and his Bill McAnally Racing team are the most victorious at Tucson Speedway. McAnally is ahead of John Strauser (3), Wayne Spears (2) and John Wood (2). Other owners still active and already victorious at Tucson include Jerry Pitts (1), Joe Nava (1) and Kelly Souza (1).
-Ron Hornaday, Jr., Derek Kraus and Kody Vanderwal are the most successful driver at Tucson with two wins each. In all, 17 different drivers have won at least one race atTucson.
-First career pole for Jake Bollman (6th career race), the first at Tucson.
-Jake Bollman is the 214th pole winner in the history.
-Five times in 19 races, the pole-sitter wins at Tucson.
-Bill McAnally Racing is the most successful team in Tucson with five poles ahead of Bill Stroppe with three poles. The most successful team in history is Bill McAnally Racing with 81 poles. The most successful owner in history is Bill McAnally with 53 poles.
-11th pole for Chevrolet at Tucson. Among the manufacturers, Chevrolet leads the dance with 11 poles ahead of Toyota (6) and Ford (3).
-The all-time most successful manufacturer for pole position is Chevrolet with 262.
-Noah Gragson won the race in 2015 from 18th position on the starting grid, which is a record.
-The track record is owned by Tanner Gray for David Gilliland Racing at 89.725 mph achieved in 2019 (race #1).
-As far as yellow flags are concerned, the record is 9 (3 times in 1993, 94 and 95). The 1994 and 1995 races holds the record for the number of yellow flag laps with 51.
-With only one yellow flag and only 4 laps under yellow flag, the 2018 race #1 was the one with the fewest interruptions.
-The most leader changes occurred in 1999 and 2015 with 10. The least leader change is zero in 1997.
-The largest starting field was in 1996 #1 with 31 cars.
-The smallest starting field was in 2025 with 13 cars. Previous record =1997 #2 with 15 cars.
-The driver with the most races are Butch Gilliland, Scott Gaylord, Wayne Jacks and Bill McAnally (9).
-The driver with the most wins are Ron Hornaday, Jr., Derek Kraus and Kody Vanderwal (2)
-The drivers with the most poles is Butch Gilliland with 5.
-The drivers with the most Top 5 is Butch Gilliland (6).
-The drivers with the most Top 10s is Butch Gilliland (7).
-The driver with the most laps is Butch Gilliland (1725).
-The driver with the most laps lead is Ron Hornaday, Jr. (383).
-3 times the race has been extended by an overtime (2001, 2015 and 2016)
-First career attempt in West Series for: (1) Tim Goulet.
-First career start in West Series for: (1) Tim Goulet.
-First career attempt at Tucson in West Series for (11 drivers): Jake Bollman, Mariah Boudrieau, Cody Dennison, Tim Goulet, Eric Johnson, Jr., Kyle Keller, Robbie Kennealy, Blake Lothian, Tanner Reif, David Smith and Caleb Shrader.
-First career start at Tucson in West Series for (11 drivers): Jake Bollman, Mariah Boudrieau, Cody Dennison, Tim Goulet, Eric Johnson, Jr., Kyle Keller, Robbie Kennealy, Blake Lothian, Tanner Reif, David Smith and Caleb Shrader.
-Best career result in West Series for Eric Johnson, Jr. (2nd), Jake Bollman (3rd), Caleb Shrader (6th), Blake Lothian (9th), Mariah Boudrieau (11th) and Tim Goulet (13th)
-First career Top-10 result in West Series for: Blake Lothian (9th)
-First career Top-5 result in West Series for: Jake Bollman (3rd)
-4th win for the No. 13 in history. The first at Tucson.
-Fourth career win for crew chief Michael Munoz. The first at Tucson.
-First career pole for crew chief Cayden Lapcevich.
-18th pole position for No. 19 in history.
The Drivers
No. 05 David Smith (Shockwave Racing) Start 11th – Fin: 12th
A complicated and physically painful race for David Smith, even before the start. On his way to his car during the pre-race ceremony, he fell and fractured a finger! He did his best in the race, but it wasn’t easy to hold the wheel. He finished the race, which, given the circumstances, was a good performance.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 31 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10th (3x) | 1 start, best result 11th |
No. 1 Robbie Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team) Start: 4th – Fin: 7th
A good qualifying session and a good start to the race, with Kennealy maintaining his position in the top five. After the halfway point, he moved into third place, but as in practice, his car’s handling deteriorated and he slipped down the standings, eventually finishing seventh due to the car being too tight-centered and loose. However, remaining just eight points behind the championship leader, the driver of the No. 1 car can be satisfied with this result.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 15 (2 DNS) | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4th | 1 start, best result 7th |
No. 3 Todd Souza (Central Coast Racing) Start: 6th – Fin: 8th
One of the best oval races for Souza, who was making his first start this season. Leading a career-high 53 laps, he was in contention for the win. He had just been passed by Huddleston for first place when, to avoid Tim Goulet’s car, which was stopped across the track, he brushed the outside wall in turn 4 on lap 76. While he was still second at the restart, his race quickly became complicated. The car had suffered damage and was becoming very tight in the turns. He lost pace and gradually fell down the standings, eventually finishing eighth. This 75th career top-10 puts him among the 15 drivers with the most top-10 finishes in West Series history, tied with Brett Thompson, Butch Gilliland, and Greg Pursley.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 132 | 1 | 23 | 75 | 0 | 1st (1x) | 7 starts, best result : 8th (2x) |
No. 5 Eric Johnson, Jr. (Jerry Pitts Racing) Start: 7th – Fin: 2nd
Following ignition problems during the qualifying session, Eric Johnson, Jr. finally took the start of the race from the rear. After saving his tires during the first two-thirds of the race, he moved up intelligently in the last 50 laps of the race. He led from lap 104 to 133, his first career laps led. He finished the race in second place after a sumptuous battle with Bollman and Reif during the last laps. Three-wide during the last two laps, Johnson, Jr. and it is to his credit having opted for a clean ride with his opponents. Victory is getting closer and closer for the driver of the No. 5.
“So dang close. Came home one spot shy of our first ARCA Series win last night at Tucson. What a rollercoaster of emotions. Spent the first half riding in the back, saving tires, hoping it would pay off. Huge thanks to Dustin Ash, and my Spotter, Logan Jewell, for keeping me disciplined all night. When it was time to go, we went for it. Drove through the field, led our first laps, and had a shot at the win with one to go. It just wasn’t meant to be, but I know our time is coming. Being so close just serves as motivation to come back stronger. This team deserves nothing less.Truly can’t thank all our amazing partners and supporters enough. I never imagined I’d be racing for a win in NASCAR. Spent a lifetime dreaming of days like last night. Well here we are, doing the thing! Beyond blessed, extremely grateful, and hungrier now more than ever.” Johnson, Jr. said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 19 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 2nd | 1 start, best result 2nd |
No. 6 Caleb Shrader (Jerry Pitts Racing) Start: 9th – Fin: 6th
In his first career race in the West Series on an oval, Shrader finished a superb sixth. He managed his tires and gradually increased his pace to gain positions in the second half of the race. He finished on the leader’s lap. This race demonstrated that he, the road track specialist, is ready to make the full-time transition to the West Series. We can’t wait to see him back on an oval!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6th | 1 start, best result 6th |
No. 13 Tanner Reif (Central Coast Racing) Start: 3rd – Fin: 1st
Tanner Reif led only two laps. But the most important ones, since they were the last two. The strategy of dropping to the back of the pack while staying on the leader’s lap to preserve his tires was executed masterfully. He came back strongly in the closing laps and defeated Bollman and Johnson, Jr. in an epic three-wide battle over the last two laps! This first victory of the season allows him to be tied for first place in the championship with Huddleston and also to be tied with his younger brother Tyler with three career victories in the West Series.
“Everything was perfect. I had to work so hard for it, but this team, Central Coast Cabinets Racing, did such a good job setting this thing up. I was crying in the car. I had to compose myself. I said, ‘I’m going to ride as slow as anybody can go, and when it’s time to go, I’m going to have a car better than anybody out there. I didn’t have a lot of high hopes entering this weekend. I just wasn’t feeling it,” said Reif. “The first time I hoped in the car, I went, ‘OK, this is going to be one of our race weekends. This is going to be somewhere where we actually have a chance to fight.’ And man did we fight.Eric Johnson wheeled that thing, man. I really wasn’t expecting that from him. He gave us one great fight. I’m just so proud to be here.” Tanner Reif said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 28 | 3 | 11 | 18 | 2 | 1st (3x) | 1 start, best result 1st |
No. 19 Jake Bollman (Bill McAnally Racing) Start: 1st – Fin: 3rd
Poleman for the first time in his career, Bollman deliberately slowed the pace from the start of the race. He increased the pace in the last fifty laps and took the lead of the race on lap 134 from Johnson, Jr. But that was without counting on Reif, who managed to steal the lead from him with two laps to go. But this in no way detracted from the superb performance of Bollman and BMR “I don’t know if we could have done anything really different. I just feel like we lacked a little drive there and were free there at the end. It happens. This is only my (sixth) ARCA race, and second one with these guys. It’s still a learning experience for me too. I think we could have saved (tires) maybe a little bit longer. I don’t know if it would have changed, but still overall a good finish for the team. Third, of course we would have wanted to win, but we have all year. I want to thank everyone that supports me, NAPA, Bill McAnally, everyone on this racecar. It takes everybody to be here. We had a great car here tonight and we’re going to move on to Colorado.” Bollman said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3rd | 1 start, best result 3rd |
No. 31 Tim Goulet (Rise Motorsports) Start: 13th – Fin: 13th Mechanical
Tim Goulet didn’t have an easy time for his first career race in the West Series. He had an accident on Friday during the optional practice session, and his time on track was limited on Saturday because his team had been working hard to repair his car. Qualifying last, he didn’t have enough pace in the race to hope for a top-10 finish. He caused the only yellow flag of the race when he spun on lap 76 in turn 4. He spent time in his pit box, returned to the track, and finally retired due to a mechanical issue. “That was fun! Was even unlapping myself once I got up on the wheel! It was awesome battling Mariah Boudrieau and David Smith! I slipped up in turns 1&2 battling Mariah and that was it for my tires! Let’s do it again!” Goulet said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13th | 1 start, best result 13th |
No. 50 Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing) Start: 2nd – Fin: 5th
Huddleston had a great race, taking the lead from the moment the green flag waved, but like all the championship contenders, he quickly put the tire conservation strategy into practice in the first part of the race by deliberately slowing down. He was the first to pick up the pace just before the halfway point. This would likely cause his downfall at the end of the race due to a worn-out right front tire. By finishing fifth, he maintained his championship lead, tied with Reif.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 80 | 6 | 32 | 64 | 3 | 1st (6x) | 5 starts, best result : 4th |
No. 51 Blake Lothian (Strike Mamba Racing) Start: 8th – Fin: 9th
It was a first career top-10 finish for rookie Blake Lothian, who had a great race, riding in the top five in the first half of the race. However, he and his team are newcomers, and this lack of experience will be felt. They didn’t preserve their tires sufficiently, and the end of the race will be more complicated. However, this time spent at the front is good for the sponsors, and the experience gained will be valuable for the rest of the season. “Top 10!! (P9) ran as high as P5 earlier in the race but the right front lost a ton of grip. Extremely proud of this Strike Mamba Racing group!! Huge thanks to all the sponsors on the car this weekend.” Lothian said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9th | 1 start, best result 9th |
No. 71 Kyle Keller (Jan’s Racing Team) Start: 5th – Fin: 4th
Keller led a few laps early in the race before deliberately slowing his pace. However, he maintained a top-three finish until lap 100. Late in the race, he was powerless to challenge Reif and Bollman and dropped to fifth. However, he had enough pace to gain a position on Huddleston at the very end. This fourth-place finish made him the only driver to have three top-10 finishes in the first three races of the season. “P4 finish at Tucson Speedway. We struggled on Friday night practice but the team put a lot of work in on the car Saturday morning and things turned around! We ended up P3 in practice and P5 in qualifying. Throughout the race we lead some laps and ultimately we just saved to long and leaders got to far ahead! But we had a good points night and we are looking forward to Colorado next! Thank you to my entire crew this weekend for their hard work!” Keller said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 36 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 0 | 2nd | 1 start, best result 4th |
No. 72 Cody Dennison (Strike Mamba Racing) Start: 10th – Fin: 10th
Dennison spared no effort, gaining numerous positions to find himself second in less than 40 laps. He remained in the top four until the halfway point of the race. But from the restart on lap 84, he lost position after position. The key to success was tire preservation, and Dennison was unable to prevent excessive wear on his right front tire. He finished the race with a very tight car in every corner. “Amazing race! Was about to take the lead and started losing the right front. Ran P2 most the race. Never in my life have I been in a faster car. Reignited my love for this. Thanks so much”. Dennison said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 3 (1 DNQ) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8th | 1 start, best result 10th |
No. 77 Mariah Boudrieau (Performance P-1 Motorsports) Start: 12th – Fin: 11th
This race was primarily intended to prepare for the one in Colorado, Boudrieau’s home track. And she did a good job. Admittedly, she lacked a bit of pace and spent the entire race just outside the top 10. She also benefited from a free pass during the only caution. But she brought the car back in one piece, and that seat time will be very useful for the next race on April 24. “What a great start to the 2025 racing season! I learned a lot as a driver and I’m excited to continue this racing journey.” Boudrieau said.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11th | 1 start, best result 11th |
The next race is on April 24 in Erie, Colorado, at the Colorado National Speedway, another 0.375-mile paved oval bullring.