The fourth race of the 2025 ARCA Menards West Series season will take place this Saturday, May 24, at Colorado National Speedway (CNS). This 0.375-mile short-track, paved oval is located in Dacono near Erie, Colorado. The Colorado 150 will be the 20th race the West Series has held at this oval since 1995, when the late Mike Chase Dirk the inaugural race. The last time the race was held was during the 2021 campaign, which saw Joey Iest claim his one and only victory to date in the West Series. This oval, created in 1965, also hosted the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 1995 to 1997, as well as numerous NASCAR Midwest Series and NASCAR Southwest Series races in the 1990s and 2000s.
After three races, the 2025 championship is more open than ever. Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing) and Tanner Reif (Central Coast Racing) are tied in the standings with 120 points each. Eric Johnson, Jr. (Jerry Pitts Racing) is just five points behind. Teammates Robbie Kennealy and Kyler Keller of Jan’s Racing Team are in ambush, both eight points behind. This is hardly a stretch to say, given the competitiveness of the West Series but all the cards will be reshuffled at the CNS. Although several of them have already raced on this oval track in other categories, this will be their first time, except for Huddleston, in a heavy and powerful ARCA Menards West Series car.
Among the entry list, besides Huddleston, only veteran Todd Souza and rookie Mariah Boudrieau have already raced in the West Series on the CNS.
Boudrieau won’t be the only female entrant, as young Holly Clark will be making her West Series debut with Strike Mamba Racing. It will be interesting to see how she adapts to the West Series, as she is very familiar with this short track with its progressive banking (six- to 12-degree banking in corners and four-degree banking in straights).
In addition to the West Series regulars, we should note the return of Eric Rhead, who will drive a car for the new Clark Racing team owned by T.J. Clark.
All activities will be concentrated on Saturday, with a one-hour practice session at 3:45 p.m. (MT), the qualifying session at 5:50 p.m., and finally the start of the race at 8 p.m. for a 150-lap, 56.25-mile race. Please note that there will be an optional two-hour pre-race practice session on Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m. (MT)
The Race Procedure
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Colorado 150 is limited to 20 starters plus provisionals. This event will be run under the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.
QUALIFYING: Starting position will be set by the fastest lap recorded in single-car qualifying, plus provisionals.
RACE PIT STOP: Pitting in this event will be for repairs and adjustments only; no tires may be changed unless approved by ARCA.
TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum tire usage for this event (purchased plus from-home tires) is eight (8). Maximum number of tires allowed in pit box for use in race is four (4) for emergency use; all emergency tire changes must be approved by ARCA official.
ARCA West quick stats at Colorado (CNS)
-72nd season in history.
-Race No. 1032 since the inception of the West Series in 1954.
-2025 race No. 4 of 12.
-695th paved oval race in history.
-20th race at Colorado National Speedway since 1995.
-Among the manufacturers, Toyota leads the dance with eight wins ahead of Ford (7) and Chevrolet (4). The all-time most successful manufacturer is Ford with 293 wins.
-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).
-With 7 wins, Bill McAnally and his Bill McAnally Racing team are the most victorious at CNS.
-Six times in 19 races, the pole-sitter wins at CNS.
-Bill McAnally Racing is the most successful team at CNS with 7 poles ahead of Bob Bruncati with three poles. The most successful team in history is Bill McAnally Racing with 80 poles. The most successful owner in history is Bill McAnally with 53 poles.
-Among the manufacturers, Ford leads the dance with 8 poles ahead of Toyota (6), Chevrolet (3) and Dodge (1). Note: No time trials in 2021.
-The all-time most successful manufacturer for pole position is Chevrolet with 261.
-Steve Portenga won the race in 2001 from 14th position on the starting grid, which is a record.
-The track record is owned by Kody Vanderwal at 83.586 mph achieved in 2019.
-As far as yellow flags are concerned, the record is 9 (2 times in 2007 and 2017). The 2017 race holds the record for the number of yellow flag laps with 49.
-With only two yellow flags and only 10 laps under yellow flag, the 2011 race was the one with the fewest interruptions. Other races with two yellow flags was 2013 and 2018.
-The most leader changes occurred in 2016 with 11. The least leader change is zero in 2012.
-The largest starting field was in 2012 with 24 cars.
-The smallest starting field was in 2020 with 11 cars.
-The driver with the most races is Jack Sellers with 11.
-The driver with the most wins is Chris Eggleston with 3.
-The drivers with the most poles are Eric Holmes and Dylan Kwasniewski with 2.
-The drivers with the most Top 5 is Greg Pursley with 6.
-The drivers with the most Top 10s are Eric Holmes and Greg Pursley with 6.
-The driver with the most laps is Jack Sellers (1408).
-The driver with the most laps lead is Eric Holmes. (325).
-5 times the race has been extended by overtime (2007, 2011, 2012, 2019 and 2020)
Note that with 6 races, 4 races and one race respectively to their credit in CNS, Todd Souza , Trevor Huddleston and Mariah Boudrieau are the only three drivers to have already driven in the West Series on this oval in the past.
It’s time to take a detailed look at the list of 12 drivers who are registered for this race.
The Drivers
No. 05 David Smith (Shockwave Racing)
The Canadian veteran is expected to be fully recovered from the broken finger he suffered during the pre-race ceremony in Tucson. This made it difficult for him to work behind the wheel in Arizona. He will be new to the CNS, but he has already demonstrated his comfort level on this type of bull ring. A top-10 finish is possible. Brandon Carlson will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 31 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10th (3x) | n/a |
No. 1 Robbie Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team)
Kennealy is firmly established in the top five in the championship, but the rookie wants more. Tire and brake management will be crucial at the CNS. This was the problem during the second half othe race in Tucson. Chris Greaney, his crew chief, is familiar with the CNS and will be able to provide the necessary advice to help him secure his first career victory.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 15 (2 DNS) | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4th | n/a |
No. 3 Todd Souza (Central Coast Racing)
If it hadn’t been for that close call with the wall to avoid a spined car in Tucson, Souza seemed well on his way to claiming his first oval victory in West Series. He and his crew chief Gilbert Munoz will be keen to erase that disappointment by taking the checkered flag first this Saturday night. Plus, Souza is familiar with the CNS, having already competed there in six races with three top-10 finishes, including a third-place finish in 2019 as his best result. There’s no doubt he hasn’t forgotten how to ride fast on this short track!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 132 | 1 | 23 | 75 | 0 | 1st (1x) | 6 starts, best result : 3rd |
No. 5 Eric Johnson, Jr. (Jerry Pitts Racing)
Johnson, Jr. is getting closer and closer to his first victory, and why wouldn’t that be the case at the CNS? His second-place finish in Tucson is proof enough that he’s in great shape! Along with his crew chief, Dustin Ash, they prepared for the CNS race in Willow Springs this week and seemed very pleased with the result.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 19 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 2nd | n/a |
No. 13 Tanner Reif (Central Coast Racing)
Tanner Reif and his crew chief Michael Munoz had a perfect strategic race in Tucson last month. Why should it be any different in Colorado? It will be the same type of race without a midway break, and they will have to run the entire race on the same tires. The tactics used in Tucson could prove successful again. But be careful, there will be no more surprises, and the other teams will be closely monitoring the No. 13 car’s progress on the track!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 28 | 3 | 11 | 18 | 2 | 1st (3x) | n/a |
No. 19 Jake Bollman (Bill McAnally Racing)
Just like the strategy used by Reif and Munoz in Tucson, Bollman and his crew chief Cayden Lapcevich’s was identical. In fact, it was a close call. Bollman and BMR were only two laps away from taking the checkered flag first. BMR is in great form this year, and it’s great to see. For the 100th anniversary of NAPA, the team’s long-standing sponsor, what could be better than a victory? The car is fast, as proven by the two pole positions obtained in the first three races of the season. The team’s 100th victory should be coming soon!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3rd | n/a |
No. 23 Eric Rhead (Clark Racing)
Utah driver Eric Rhead is making his return to the West Series. His last race was in October 2023 at the Bullring in Las Vegas. He was driving for his own team (WIT Racing 66) and his wife Roxi Gabbard was his crew chief. However, since the preparation of the No. 66 car is not yet complete, Rhead has decided to rent T.J. Clark’s car. This will therefore be the first race for the new Clark Racing team in West Series. Remember that Clark was Joe Farrè’s partner last year at Sigma Performance Services. Let’s hope Eric finishes in the top 10, which would be a nice birthday present for his wife Roxi, even if it’s a few days late since it was on May 10th. But for the first time in West Series, Roxi will not be the crew chief for her husband. Chris Bray will be the crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11th | 2 starts, best result 11th |
No. 50 Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing)
“Only” fifth in Tucson, Huddleston nevertheless remains at the top of the championship and is more than ever a contender for the 2025 title. Jeff Schrader, his crew chief, and he are familiar with the CNS, having already competed there in numerous races. Schrader already won pole and victory there in 2015 with Ryan Partridge as a driver, for example. Huddleston has already competed in six races at the CNS, with four top 10s, including a third-place finish as his best result in 2018. Without a doubt, the No. 50 will be one to watch closely for victory this Saturday.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 80 | 6 | 32 | 64 | 3 | 1st (6x) | 6 starts, best result : 3rd |
No. 51 Blake Lothian (Strike Mamba Racing)
The rookie earned his first career top-10 finish in Tucson. He and his team are new to the West Series, but their progress has been steady. With an oval and race format at CNS that will be similar to the Tucson race, it will be interesting to see how Lothian leverages the experience gained to aim even higher in the standings. His crew chief will be John Reaume.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9th | n/a |
No. 71 Kyle Keller (Jan’s Racing Team)
Will Keller finally claim his first victory? Because it’s obvious, that first victory won’t be long in coming. Kyle’s strength is his consistent performance at the front. With his friend and crew chief Brian Kizer, the duo works very well. Fast and almost never making a mistake, the driver of the No. 71 will be a contender for Victory Lane this Saturday.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 36 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 0 | 2nd | n/a |
No. 72 Holly Clark (Strike Mamba Racing)
West Series rookie Holly Clark, 19 in May 30, will undoubtedly be the one of star attractions of the CNS race. Clark is originally from Colorado Springs, so the CNS is her home track. She will drive for SMR, and Al Lebert will be her crew chief. Clark started racing at the age of five. Since then, she has won numerous races and championships in various classes. She is familiar with the CNS, and starting on familiar ground is always an advantage. It’s up to her to adapt to driving a heavy and powerful ARCA Menards West Series car.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 77 Mariah Boudrieau (Performance P-1 Motorsports)
It was here, on her hometrack, in 2021 that Boudrieau made her West Series debut. Since then, she has competed in four other races, the last of which was the previous month in Tucson, where she finished 11th, her best result of her career. The Tucson race was a “practice session” to prepare for this Saturday’s race. The goal is clear: to get her first career top 10. Tony Jackson will be her crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Colorado |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11th | 1 start, best result 13th |
Final notes
-Clark Racing will debut in the West Series in Colorado with the No. 23. The team is led by T.J. Clark, who is none other than the father of former West Series driver Spencer Clark, who died at 19 on May 21, 2006. Remember that the use of the No. 23 is a tribute to the number that Spencer wore.