By Vincent Delforge, Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS – This Friday, October 10, will be the 11th race of the 2025 ARCA Menards West Series season, the Star Nursery 150 Presented by The West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring, Las Vegas, NV.
The battle for the championship will continue between current leader Trevor Huddleston and Kyle Keller.
This 0.375-mile oval, built in 1985, will host the West Series for the 13th time. The first race in 1994 was won by Ron Hornaday, Jr., driving a Chevrolet entered by the late Wayne Spears. Returning to the West Series calendar during the Covid-19 period in 2020, it has since become an essential stopover at the end of each year between 2020 and 2023. There was no race in 2024.
Two years ago, Dylan Cappello gave owner Mike Naake a very nice victory, leading the last 20 laps of the race. The last victory to date for Naake Motorsports. But this year, neither Cappello nor Naake Motorsports will be present in Las Vegas.
Twenty-one cars are expected for this race, with some newcomers, including female drivers Jade Avedisian and Taylor Reimer, both for Venturini Motorsports. They will be joined by a third driver, Thomas Annunziata in the team founded in 1982 by Bill Venturini. A first start on an oval in the West Series for Annunziata, he having finished second in the Portland road race at the end of August. For Venturini Motorsports, this will be the end of the winningest team in the history of the ARCA Menards National Series. The team was acquired in April by Nick Tucker and will continue its operations under the name Nitro Motorsports. The other West Series newcomers are Connor Hall, Dustin Hillenburg, and Shane Backes.
For the first time since Tucson, AZ, in 1996, the Bill McAnally Racing team will not participate in a West Series race. The team, with 100 wins, the last of which was this year in Colorado with Jake Bollman as driver, ends a record streak of 385 consecutive races in which the team entered at least one car (qualified or not). The team also ended another record streak of 367 consecutive races in which at least one car started a race. A streak that began in the fourth race of the 1997 season in Tucson. Why will BMR not participate in the final two races of the 2025 season? The team has decided to focus all its resources on winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. Indeed, two of its drivers, Tyler Ankrum and Daniel Hemric, have the potential to win the title. However, owner Bill McAnally has indicated that the team will return full-time in 2026.
ARCA Menards West Series quick stats at Las Vegas Bullring
-72nd season in history.
-Race No. 1039 since the inception of the West Series in 1954.
-2025 race No. 11 of 12.
-700th paved oval race in history.
-Race No. 13 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring since 1994.
The Las Vegas Speedrome, located in Clark County, Las Vegas, Nevada, consists of a road course and drag strip, opening in 1972, a 3/8-mile short track opening in 1985 and finally a 1.5-mile superspeedway opening in September 1996.
Las Vegas is the only automobile complex to have been on the West Series calendar in three different configurations since 1994. Indeed, the short track that interests us today was used for the first time between 1994 and 1995 before giving way to a series of 10 races on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile) between 1996 and 2002.
The West Series even competed on the two tracks of the Las Vegas complex (the Bullring and the Motor Speedway) between 2001 and 2002 before a final race in 2003 on the short track. In this ‘I love you and then I leave you’ relationship, the West Series will return to the Bullring once again between 2011 and 2012 before another hiatus.
However, the umpteenth comeback will be next door on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track (.500-mile dirt) in 2018 and 2019 for the last two seasons under the NASCAR banner. Eventually, the Bullring regained its place on the West calendar under the ARCA banner since 2020.
In total, the Bullring will have hosted 12 races between 1994 and 2023.
Only one team can claim to have won on the Speedway, the Bullring, and the Dirt track. Who is it? Bill McAnally Racing, of course! Brendan Gaughan won on the Speedway in 2001, Hailie Deegan on the dirt track in 2019. Austin Cameron (2003) and Trotter (2020) on the Bullring.
Note that another record for female drivers had already been broken in 2023 here in the West Series. Indeed, there had been five female racers with Jolynn Wilkinson, Mariah Boudrieau, Amber Balcaen, Bridget Burgess and Amber Slagle.
As far as statistics are concerned, of the 12 races already contested in Las Vegas Bullring, we can highlight:
| Year | Pole | Win | ||||||||
| Driver | Owner | Crew chief | # | Make | Driver | Owner | Crew chief | # | Make | |
| 1994 | Ron Hornaday, Jr. | Wayne Spears | Bill Sedgwick | 75 | Chevrolet | Ron Hornaday, Jr. | Wayne Spears | Bill Sedgwick | 75 | Chevrolet |
| 1995 | Ernie cope | Lew Miller | Ernie Cope | 10 | Chevrolet | Wayne Jacks | Wayne Jacks | Ron Drake | 58 | Pontiac |
| 2001 | Mark Reed | Matt Reed | Jerry Pitts | 4 | Pontiac | Mark Reed | Matt Reed | Jerry Pitts | 4 | Pontiac |
| 2002 | Austin Cameron | Bill McAnally | Chuck Carruthers | 16 | Chevrolet | Austin Cameron | Bill McAnally | Chuck Carruthers | 16 | Chevrolet |
| 2003 | Jim Inglebright | Bill McAnally | Mario Isola | 20 | Chevrolet | Jim Inglebright | Bill McAnally | Mario Isola | 20 | Chevrolet |
| 2011 | Greg Pursley | Gene Price | Jerry Pitts | 26 | Ford | Greg Pursley | Gene Price | Jerry Pitts | 26 | Ford |
| 2012 | Greg Pursley | Gene Price | Jerry Pitts | 26 | Ford | Dylan Kwasniewski | Gene Price | Jeff Jefferson | 03 | Ford |
| 2020 #1 | Sam Mayer | Maury Gallagher | Mardy Lindley | 21 | Chevrolet | Sam Mayer | Maury Gallagher | Mardy Lindley | 21 | Chevrolet |
| 2020 #2 | Gracie Trotter | Bill McAnally | Roger Bracken | 99 | Toyota | Jesse Love | Alex McAnally | Jason Dickenson | 19 | Toyota |
| 2021 | Taylor Gray | David Gilliland | Chad Johnston | 17E | Ford | Jake Drew | Bob Bruncati | Jeff Schrader | 9 | Ford |
| 2022 | Taylor Gray | David Gilliland | Chad Johnston | 71 | Ford | Taylor Gray | David Gilliland | Chad Johnston | 71 | Ford |
| 2023 | Dylan Cappello | Mike Naake | Mike Naake | 88 | Ford | Sean Hingorani | Bill Venturini | Kevin Reed, Jr. | 15 | Toyota |
–Among the manufacturers, Ford and Chevrolet are tied with five wins each. Followed by Pontiac (1) and Toyota (1).
-The all-time most successful manufacturer is Ford with 297 wins.
-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).
-Greg Pursley and Taylor Gray are the most successful drivers with two wins. All the other drivers who each have a victory (Ron Hornaday, Jr., Ernie Cope, Mark Reed, Austin Cameron, Jim Inglebright, Sam Mayer, Gracie Trotter).
-There are seven drivers in history who took the win in their first career start at LVMS Bullring, including Ron Hornaday, Jr. (1994), Ernie Cope (1995), Mark Reed (2001), Jim Inglebright (2003), Sam Mayer (2020) and Taylor Gray (2021).
-10th different drivers won at least a race at the Las Vegas Bullring.
-Concerning the poles, BMR is again at the top of the ranking with three (2002, 2003 and 2020). Once again, Gene Price Motorsports follows with two (2011 and 2012). All the other teams have only one pole.
-The most successful team in history is Bill McAnally Racing with 83 poles. The most successful owner in history is Bill McAnally with 56 poles.
-Among the manufacturers, Ford and Chevrolet are tied with four poles each. Followed by Toyota (2) and Pontiac (2).
-The all-time most successful manufacturer is Chevrolet with 264 poles.
-The track record is owned by Sam Mayer for GMS Racing at 92.396 mph, achieved in 2020.
-The polesitter has won the race seven times.
-Gracie Trotter won the race in 2020 from ninth position on the starting grid, which is a record for the worst starting position.
-As far as yellow flags are concerned, the record is 16 in 2001. The 2001 race also holds the record for the number of yellow flag laps with 96.
-The largest starting field was in 2011 with 28 cars.
-The smallest starting field was in 2020 with 12 cars.
-The driver with the most races is Jack Sellers (6).
-The drivers with the most Top 5 are Trevor Huddleston and Kyle Keller (3).
-The drivers with the most Top 10s are Kyle Keller and Todd Souza with 4.
-The driver with the most laps is Scott Gaylord (894).
-The driver with the most laps lead is Greg Pursley (451).
-Twice the race was extended by an overtime (green/white/checkered flag) at Las Vegas Bullring (2022 and 2023).
The Race Procedure
The race will be 150 laps (56.25 miles) and all track activities will be concentrated on the single day of Friday, with the single practice from 2:35 to 3:35 p.m. PT. The General Tire Pole Qualifying at 4:05 p.m. PT and finally the 150-lap race at 7:00 p.m. PT.
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: Field limited to 22 starters plus provisionals. This event will be run under the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.
QUALIFYING: Two consecutive laps of qualifying. No adjustments or repairs may be made to the car after taking the green flag at the Start/Finish line. All cars must make a qualifying attempt, and all drivers must practice before they can qualify (EIRI).
RACE PIT STOP: Pitting during any caution period in this event will be for making repairs and adjustments only; no tires can be changed unless approved by ARCA Officials. Positions will not be gained or lost among those pitting on the same lap unless under penalty or going a lap down on pit road.
TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum tire usage for this event (purchased plus from-home tires) is 8. Tires allowed in pit box for use in race for emergency use only – any tire change must be approved by ARCA officials (EIRI Except in Rare Instances).
The Drivers
No. 05 David Smith (Shockwave Racing)
The Canadian has already raced twice at the LVMS Bullring, with a best result of 14th place in 2023. This year, the top 10 will be difficult to achieve, given the number of competitive cars entered. But Smith never gives up, and if the pace is good, anything can happen. Brandon Carlson will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 37 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10th (3x) | 2 starts, best result 14th |
No. 1 Robbie Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team)
Eighth in 2023 for his only race in Las Vegas when he rode for the family team. This year, with his crew chief Chris Greaney, Kennealy has reached a higher level. In addition, he has just obtained two big results at the other two Bullrings, including his first career victory at Roseville. There’s no doubt he’ll be in contention for another big result.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 22 (2 DNS) | 1 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 1st | 1 start, best result 8th |
No. 4 Monty Tipton (Nascimento-Joiner Motorsports)
It was here in 2023 that he made his West Series debut. A race he finished 18th due to transmission issues while he was in contention for the top 10. At Madera, he had to withdraw due to mechanical issues after only 10 laps. Here, he will use the car usually driven by Eric Nascimento, Jr. A very fast car. Let’s just hope it’s reliable. Ty Joiner will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12th | 1 start, best result 18th |
No. 5 Eric Johnson, Jr. (Jerry Pitts Racing)
This will be Johnson, Jr.’s first West Series race at the LVMS Bullring. But he’s a proven performer on this type of short track, as evidenced by his four top-five finishes in four races this season. In addition, his crew chief, Dustin Ash, knows the oval well, having driven the No. 5 there in 2023.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS BUllring |
| 26 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 2nd | n/a |
No. 6 Gavin Ray (Jerry Pitts Racing)
This is Ray’s second race of the season, having competed in Bakersfield in January, where he finished sixth. Originally from Las Vegas, he will be on familiar ground this Saturday, and this experience will be useful in ensuring a good result. R.J. Johnson will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS BUllring |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6th | n/a |
No. 11 Bryce Haugeberg (Fast Track Racing)
Haugeberg has already raced three times in the West Series, but only at Phoenix Raceway. He’ll be making his debut at the LVMS Bullring. This year, he’s raced three times in the ARCA Menards National Series, with two top-10 finishes at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedways. Not the same driving experience at all! Chris Vanscoy will be his crew chief, as usual.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS BUllring |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25th | n/a |
No. 12 Dustin Hillenburg (Fast Track Racing)
In his only career race behind the wheel of an ARCA-type car, the young Hillenburg (24 years old) finished 16th in the ARCA Menards Series at Madison, a one-mile-long oval. He will have everything to learn here, but he will be driving for the family team. Andrew Kiernan will be his crew chief, as he did at Madison.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS BUllring |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 13 Tanner Reif (Central Coast Racing)
After five complicated races outside the top 10, Tanner is determined to return to winning ways. He’s also familiar with the LVMS Bullring and has a strong track results. Sixth in his rookie year in 2022, he finished third in 2023. Statistically, he’d likely finish first this year. His crew chief, Michael Munoz, will do everything he can to help him achieve this.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 35 | 3 | 13 | 25 | 2 | 1st (3x) | 2 starts, best result 3rd |
No. 15 Thomas Annunziata (Venturini Motorsports)
On the Portland road track for his West Series debut, Annunziata had a solid second place. But as a road ringer, it wasn’t a complete surprise either. Here he will discover the LVMS Bulring and it will be the smallest oval he will race on in his ARCA career until now. So far, the only short track he has been seen on was Bristol this year, where he finished in a convincing fifth place. Shannon Rursch will be his crew chief as usual.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS BUllring |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2nd | n/a |
No. 20 Jade Avedisian (Venturini Motorsports)
For her West Series debut, the young Avedisian will have Kevin Reed, Jr. as crew chief. This is a great asset since he knows the LVMS Bullring well, having obtained pole position there in 2023 with Sean Hingorani. The 18-year-old Californian has one race under her belt in an ARCA-type car, which was in August on the 1-mile dirt track in DuQuoin where she had an accident despite being very fast.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS BUllring |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 23 Spencer Gallagher (Clark Racing)
Gallagher had a tough time in his only race of the season at Sonoma. He wrecked his car during practice, but was able to race with the Sigma Performance Services backup car. Gallagher has already raced in the West Series at the LVMS Bullring, but that was in 2011 when he crashed on lap 124. Chris Bray will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 7 (+2 DNQs) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7th | 1 start, best result 24th |
No. 24 Connor Hall (Sigma Performance Services)
Connor Hall will be making his debut in the West Series and the LVMS Bullring. He hasn’t raced in an ARCA-style car since 2020 at Daytona. More recently, he’s raced in the CARS Late Model Tour and even in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2024 at Richmond, where he finished 10th for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. Tom Ackerman will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 25 Taylor Reimer (Venturini Motorsports)
Reimer will be making her West Series debut and will also be making her debut at the LVMS Bullring. However, she has been particularly successful in her six career races in the ARCA Menards National Series, earning six top-10 finishes, including two top-5 finishes. Danny Johnson will be her crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS BUllring |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 50 Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing)
The championship leader could have a serious shot at the 2025 crown if he performs as well in Las Vegas this year as he has in the past. He finished 5th and 12th respectively in the two races in 2020, then 3rd in 2022 and finally second in 2023. This year, he is once again partnered with his favorite crew chief, Jeff Schrader. The latter is very experienced and knows this short track inside out.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 87 | 8 | 39 | 71 | 3 | 1st (8x) | 4 starts, best result 2nd |
No. 51 Blake Lothian (Strike Mamba Racing)
As always, the rookie will be discovering a new track. He is constantly improving and will once again aim to finish at least in the top 10. Canadian Al Lebert will be his crew chief, as was already the case during the Bakersfield race last June.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8th | n/a |
No. 55 Andrew Chapman (High Point Racing)
Chapman is gaining experience race after race and never disappoints. He’ll be discovering this oval with an ARCA-type car. Travis Thirkettle will once again be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3rd | n/a |
No. 67 Shane Backes (Maples Motorsports)
Backes will make his West Series debut at the LVMS Bullring. He has competed in three races this year in the ARCA Menards Series, all with Maples Motorsports and his crew chief, Kyle Totman.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 71 Kyle Keller (Jan’s Racing Team)
Keller has as much experience as Huddleston at the LVMS Bullring. That said, he has more top-10 finishes, with four in four races. His best result here is fourth place in 2020 and 2023. Brian Kizer will be his crew chief. In 2023, he drove for the late Steve Bohanon. No doubt Kyle will be keen to pay tribute to him once again if he takes the victory.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 44 | 1 | 15 | 31 | 1 | 1st (1x) | 4 starts, best result 4th (2x) |
No. 72 Cody Dennison (Strike Mamba Racing)
After a complicated race at Madera, Dennison is looking to bounce back and get back into the top 10. But he won’t have an easy time of it because he’ll be new to this short track, just like his team. Al Lebert will be his crew chief, as he is also for Blake Lothian, the team’s other driver.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 4 (1 DNQ) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8th | n/a |
No. 77 Nick Joanides (Performance P-1 Motorsports)
In 2023, Joanides drove the No. 71 car for Jan Qualkenbush’s newly formed team. The race was difficult following a flat tire. But everything needed to be developed in terms of setup. Today, the team is in contention for the championship with Kyle Keller. As for Joanides, he will drive Joe Nava’s car as he did in 2022. That year, he finished 15th out of 26. Tony Jackson will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 38 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 4th (2x) | 2 starts, best result 15th |
No. 99 Michael Maples (Maples Motorsports)
Maples will be making his first race at the LVMS Bullring. He has competed in two West Series races so far, both at Phoenix Raceway, but without finishing higher than 21st. Jeremy Petty will be his crew chief, as he has been all season in the ARCA Menards National Series.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At LVMS Bullring |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21st | n/a |
Final notes
-Central Coast Racing is not entering its second car, the No. 3, for the first time this season.
-Naake Motorsports is not participating in the Las Vegas race and will not be competing in Phoenix either. Owner Mike Naake is prioritizing the TransAm championship and its TA2 class, in which his team competes full-time, unlike the West Series.