By Vincent Delforge, Special to Kickin’ the Tires
2024 will be the 71st season of the ARCA Menards West Series. A series created in 1954 under the name of NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division. This will be the fifth season under the aegis of the ARCA sanctioning body.
The season begins this March 8, 2024 at Phoenix Raceway located in Avondale, AZ. This race, the General Tire 150 will be combined with the national ARCA Menards Series (Race No. 2).
Like last year and for the eighth time in history, the season will feature 12 races spread between March and November when we will return here to Phoenix for the final.
2024 Schedule
Some small changes should be noted regarding the West Series schedule. If as the previous years, Phoenix, AZ and Irwindale, CA will host the West Series twice. The same will be true for Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, CA (formerly Kern County Raceway Park) which will host two races. Which had already been the case in 2014, 2017 and 2018. This half-mile having been purchased by Tim and Lisa Huddleston (owners of Irwindale) at the end of November 2023. Under the new ownership, Kern County Raceway Park has been renamed Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, honoring the 1998 NASCAR West Series and 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion and Bakersfield native, Kevin Harvick.
The road tracks of Portland, OR and Sonoma, CA retain their place as do the bullrings of Shasta, CA, Madera, CA and Roseville, CA.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring, NV disappears in favor of the second race in Bakersfield, CA.
The other big news is the disappearance of Evergreen, WA to make way for another track in Washington state, namely Tri-City Speedway. This tri-oval half-mile has not appeared on the calendar since 2003.
| Date | Track (length and type) | Location | Race name | Broadcast | |
| 1 | March 8 | Phoenix Raceway (1 mile paved oval) | Avondale, AZ | General Tire 150 | FS1 |
| 2 | March 30 | Irwindale Speedway (.5 mile paved oval) | Irwindale, CA | TBD | FloRacing |
| 3 | April 20 | Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway (.5 mile paved oval) | Bakersfield, CA | TBD | FloRacing |
| 4 | May 31 | Portland International Raceway (1.967 mile road track) | Portland, OR | Portland 112 | FloRacing |
| 5 | June 7 | Sonoma Raceway (1.990 mile road track) | Sonoma, CA | General Tire 200 | FloRacing |
| 6 | July 4 | Irwindale Speedway (.5 mile paved oval) | Irwindale, CA | TBD | FloRacing |
| 7 | July 27 | Shasta Speedway (.375 mile paved oval) | Shasta, CA | TBD | FloRacing |
| 8 | Aug. 10 | Tri-City Speedway (.5 mile paved oval) | West Richland, WA | TBD | FloRacing |
| 9 | Sept. 28 | Madera Speedway (.333 mile paved oval) | Madera, CA | TBD | FloRacing |
| 10 | Oct. 5 | All American Speedway (.333 mile paved oval) | Roseville, CA | NAPA Auto Care 150 | FloRacing |
| 11 | Oct. 26 | Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway (.5 mile paved oval) | Bakersfield, CA | TBD | FloRacing |
| 12 | Nov. 8 | Phoenix Raceway (1 mile paved oval) | Avondale, AZ | TBD | FloRacing |
2024 ARCA West Teams and Drivers
Sean Hingorani, the 2023 West Series champion, will defend his title with his new team Hattori Racing Enterprises for which he will also race part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He will wear No. 61. Note that Hingorani is sure to participate in the first five races of the season. What happens next will depend on the results, if he is a candidate for his own succession, but also on financing.
MMI Racing (Bruce Cook and Steve McGowan) won the owners’ crown in 2024 and will continue according to the same principle. Several drivers will share the champion car (No. 17). There will be, among others, Marco Andretti. The team will also enter a second car (No. 42) in certain races which will be shared by Brandon Jones and Tanner Reif. Tanner Reif who therefore leaves the No. 16 of Bill McAnally Racing in favor of Jack Wood. BMR which unlike last year will enter two cars full-time since Eric Johnson, Jr. will drive the No. 19.
Several veteran drivers are returning for a new full season such as Trevor Huddleston, David Smith, Takuma Koga and Bobby Hillis, Jr.
Central Coast Racing will aim for the championship with Tyler Reif, who takes over the No. 13 full-time. Todd Souza, as planned, will only do a few races, the ones he loves, at the wheel of the No. 3.
The newly formed (September 2023) Kennealy Keller Motorsports has grown significantly in just a few months and will field two full-time drivers with Robbie Kennealy and Kyle Keller. In the majority of races there will be rookie Danica Dart in the third car. In addition, the team will have a fourth car throughout the season which will be available for rental.
Nascimento-Joiner Motorsports will have two full-time cars like last year. The No. 4 driven by Eric Nascimento, Jr. will aim for the championship. The second car will be shared between several drivers including Henry Barton and Ethan Nascimento.
Johnny Borneman III, Nick Joanides will be drivers to follow closely. Just like Jake Bollman who aims to do the full season with Naake-Klauer Motorsports. However there will also be some absentees this season with for example the young and telented Bradley Erickson who has decided to devote himself fully to his studies. However, the Sigma Performance Services team, for which Erickson finished the 2023 season, returns with two cars.
Note that several teams and drivers are still looking for funding for a full season with one or more drivers. There will also be the usual part-time drivers (Ryan Philpott,..) and road ringers (Davey Magras,..). Without forgetting the drivers and teams from the ARCA national series who will swell the ranks during the Phoenix races for example.
Below is the 2024 team chart. Drivers from the National ARCA Menards Series who will only be present in the combined race on March 10 like Andres Perez de Lara, Amber Balcaen or rookie Isabella Robusto are not included in this table unless it is already confirmed that they will participate in at least one other West Series race.
We will go into more detail driver by driver in the race preview article of the first race of the season in Phoenix.
| 2024 ARCA MENARDS WEST SERIES TEAM CHART | ||||||
| # | Driver | Team | Owner | Crew chief | Make | Infos & sponsors |
| 0 | Tony HuffmanTBD | Fierce Racing Creature | Bobby Hillis, Jr. | Tony Huffman | Chevrolet | Full-time for owner points with multiple drivers TBD. Car to rent.-Tony Huffman (Phoenix #1 for S&P)-Sponsors: First Impression Press / VD |
| 05 | David Smith | Shockwave Racing | David Smith | Brandon Carlson | Toyota | -Full time Sponsors: Shockwave Marine Suspension Seating Note: technical alliance with Naake-Klauer Motorsports |
| 1 | Robbie Kennealy | Kennealy Keller Motorsports | Francesca Kennealy | Charlie Wilson | Ford | Full time Sponsors: STS, Wileyx, 637 collectibles, American swim Academy, Battle Born Racing, Wilson Motorsports, Vandoorn Racing Development, CoverEase |
| 3 | Todd Souza | Central Coast Racing | Kelly Souza | Jason Dickenson | Toyota | Part-time Note: select races including Phoenix I & II, Sonoma & Portland Sponsors: Central Coast Cabinets |
| 4 | Eric Nascimento, Jr. | Nascimento-Joiner Motorsports | Eric Nascimento | Ty Joiner | Chevrolet | Full-time Sponsors: Impact Transportation, Phillips Brothers Fabrication, Skipco, Joiner Motorsports |
| 5 | TBD | Jerry Pitts Racing | Jerry Pitts | Jerry Pitts | FordToyota | Part-time with multiple drivers. Car to rent. |
| 7 | Takuma Koga | Jerry Pitts Racing | Jerry Pitts | Jerry PittsDenny Moyer | Toyota | Full time Sponsors: GR Garage, Loop Connect, Rise Up, Laundry |
| 11 | Danica Dart | Kennealy Keller Motorsports | Harley Kennealy | John Keller | FordChevrolet | Part-time (at least 8 races, excluding Sonoma & Portland due to date conflict with other races. Note: #07 and Chevrolet at Phoenix #1 Sponsors: Guardian Fence and Development, Pioneer Performance, Evers Farms, Ebco construction, Rayce Rudeen Foundation |
| 12 | Kyle Keller | Kennealy Keller Motorsports | Francesca Kennealy | Brian Kizer | Ford | Full-time Note: #70 at Phoenix #1 Sponsors: BBR, Argus Construction Services, Pro-Built, Wilson Motorsports, Conger, STS, CSM Graphics |
| 13 | Tyler Reif | Central Coast Racing | Kelly Souza | Michael Munoz | Toyota | Full-time Sponsors: Central Coast Cabinets, CrossFit |
| 14 | Davey Magras | Davey Magras Racing | Davey Magras | Zach Magras | Chevrolet | Part-time, only road races at Portland and Sonoma Sponsors: Advanced Auto Works / Koerner Racing Engines |
| 15 | Kris Wright | Venturini Motorsports | Bill Venturini | Larry Balsitis | Toyota | Part-time Phoenix I and II Sponsors: F.N.B. Corporation |
| 16 | Jack Wood | Bill McAnally Racing | Bill McAnally | Kevin Bellicourt | Chevrolet | Full time Sponsors: NAPA Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Care |
| 17 | Marco Andretti | MMI Racing | Steve McGowan | Bruce Cook | Chevrolet | Part-time Phoenix I, Portland, Sonoma Note: full-time possibly with multiple drivers. |
| 19 | Eric Johnson, Jr. | Bill McAnally Racing | Bill McAnally | John Camilleri | Chevrolet | Full time Sponsors: Pacific Office Automation, Key Property Services Inc. |
| 21 | Henry BartonEthan NascimentoTBD | Nascimento-Joiner Motorsports | Eric Nascimento | Mike Nascimento | Toyota | Fullt-time for owner points with multiple drivers. Car for rent.-Henry Barton (Kern #1, Irwindale #1, Portland & Sonoma)-Ethan Nascimento (Shasta, Madera, Roseville)-TBD (Phoenix #1 & #2, Tri-City, Kern #2 & Irwindale #2) Sponsors: David’s Racing , RJ’s Paint Shop, Kleen Blast Abrasives |
| 23 | Grant EnfingerTBD | Sigma Performance Services | Joe Farre | Chris Bray | Chevrolet | Full time Enfinger at Phoenix #1 Sponsors: SPS / Spencer Clark Foundation |
| 24 | Joe FarreTBD | Sigma Performance Services | Joe Farre | TBD | Chevrolet | Part-time Joe farre at Phoenix #1 Sponsors: SPS |
| 25 | Toni Breidinger | Venturini Motorsports | Bill Venturini | Cayden Lapcevich | Toyota | Part time Note: Phoenix I & IISponsors: TBD |
| 27 | Bobby Hillis, Jr. | Fierce Creature Racing | Bobby Hillis, Jr. | Tony Huffman | Chevrolet | Full time Sponsors: First Impression Press / Camping World |
| 31 | Garrett Zacharias | Rise Motorsports | Tim Goulet | Rita Goulet | Chevrolet | Part-time Phoenix #1Sponsors: |
| 32 | Dale Quarterley | Quarterley Racing | Alex Quarterley | Alex Quarterley | Chevrolet | Part-time Note: only road races at Portland & Sonoma Sponsors: Van Dyk Recycling / Motul |
| 33 | P.J. Pedroncelli | Rodd Racing | Rodd Kneeland | Rodd Kneeland | Chevrolet | Part-time Kern #1 and Sonoma. Maybe more. Sponsors: Select Mobile Bottlers Note: Pedroncelli and Kneeland have teamed up to do a partial program including Sonoma, Kern and a few other short tracks. |
| 38 | R.J. Smotherman | John Wood Racing | John Wood | Mike Holleran | ChevroletToyota | Part-time Note: RJ will begin his season in Irwindale. His program concerning short tracks. Sponsors: TBD |
| 39 | Andrew Tuttle | Last Chance Racing | Andrew Tuttle | Taniesha Tuttle | Chevrolet | Part-time LCR plans a return during the season but probably not before the summer. |
| 41 | Johnny Borneman IIITBD | Lowden-Jackson Motorsports | Chris Lowden | Tony Jackson | Ford | Full-time for owner standings. Borneman at least for the first six races. Sponsors: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, Tilly’s |
| 42 | Brandon JonesTanner Reif | MMI Racing | Steve McGowan | TBD | Chevrolet | Brandon Jones: Portland, Sonoma Tanner Reif: Phoenix I and II Sponsors; Vegas Fastener Manufacturing, MMI |
| 46 | TBD | Lowden-Jackson Motorsports | Chris Lowden | TBD | Ford | TBD |
| 50 | Trevor Huddleston | High Point Racing | Tim Huddleston | Jeff Schrader | Ford | Full timeSponsors: Racecar Factory, HPR |
| 52 | Ryan Philpott | Philpott Racing | Ryan Philpott | Chuck Dozhier | Toyota | Part-time Note: road races at Portland & Sonoma. Maybe a few short track races in addition. Sponsors: Hacienta Pools, Mattos Equipment Rentals |
| 55 | TBD | High Point Racing | Tim Huddleston | TBD | Ford | Unknown possibly with multiple drivers. Car for rent. |
| 61 | Sean Hingorani | Hattori Racing Enterprises | Shigeaki Hattori | Mark McFarland | Toyota | Part or full-time, TBD after the first five races. Phoenix #2 Sponsors: Fidelity Capital, HMS, TRD |
| 66 | Eric Rhead | WIT Racing 66 | Al Jones | Roxi Gabbard | ChevroletFord | Part-time, races TBD (Possible first race at Kern #1)Sponsors: TBDChevrolet = Road track. Ford = oval |
| 68 | Rodd Kneeland | Rodd Racing | Rodd Kneeland | Ty Joiner | Chevrolet | Part-timeSonoma and select short trackSponsors: Rodd Renovations Inc. / Florian IndustriesNote: Pedroncelli and Kneeland have teamed up to do a partial program including Sonoma, Kern and a few other short tracks. |
| 71 | Nick Joanides | Jan’s Towing Racing | Nick Joanides | Rip Michels | Ford | Full-time Sponsors: Jan’s Towing |
| 77 | Cody Kiemele | Performance P-1 Motorsports | Joe Nava | Ryan Sebek | Toyota | Part-time (the first 3 races), more dependent on funding. Sponsors: King Taco, Wallace Signs, Toyota of Redlands, Burgesons Heating & Air, HRP Paving, Unlimited Landscaping, Swift Springs, Racecar Factory Note: full-time for owner points possibly with multiple drivers. Car for rent. |
| 80 | Brian Kamisky | Dereck Coppeland Racing | Brian Kamisky | Dereck Coppeland | Chevrolet | Part-timeSonomaSponsors: TBD |
| 86 | Tim Spurgeon | David Racing | Tim Spurgeon | Mike David | Chevrolet | Part-timeSonomaSponsors: Kleen Blast |
| 88 | Jake Bollman | Naake-Klauer Motorsports | Mike Naake | Mike Naake | Ford | Part –time, first half of the season. Full-time dependent on funding. Sponsors: PB Plumbing, LPG Transportation |
| ? | Gio Ruggiero | Venturini Motorsports | Bill Venturini | Shannon Rursch | Toyota | Phoenix I and II, Sonoma. Possible more. Race number TBD |
| ? | TBD | Kennealy Keller Motorsports | Harley Kennealy | TBD | FordChevrolet | Full-time with multiple drivers TBD. Car to rent |