By Vincent Delforge, Staff Writer
This Saturday, August 19, 2025, will be the seventh race of the 2025 ARCA Menards West Series season. We’re moving into the second half of the calendar. The NAPA Auto Care 150 presented by VIC’s Auto Care & Supply will be held at Tri-City Raceway, the fastest half-mile tri-oval in the world. Located in West Richland, Washington, the West Series has already taken place there ten times between 1968 and 2024.
Last year, the West Series’ return to this oval for the first time since 2003 was a success, with packed grandstands. This was aided by the presence of Greg Biffle. The former locals and NASCAR’s various national series stars took part in his first West Series race since 1996! He adapted quickly and put on a great show. Like last year, he will drive a car entered by Joe Farrè, the owner of Sigma Performance Services. The race was won by Tyler Reif for Central Coast Racing after a thrilling battle with Sean Hingorani.
All 15 drivers entered last year were new to this oval track in West Series cars. This year, six of them will be able to bring their 224 experience to the track, while six others will be making their first races on this oval track in ARCA West-type cars. One of the six, Tyler Brown, will even be making his first career West Series race.
The Iconic paved 1/2 mile tri oval is located at the base of Red Mountain in West Richland, WA. Built by the Rector family in 1968, the architectural design was to represent the three cities. Shortly after its opening, it rapidly became a destination racetrack. Tri-City Raceway is the only 1/2 mile paved tri-oval left in North America and is notorious for its speed, uniqueness and prestige. It was closed down in 2004 for 17 years and was reopened in 2021 as a premium stock car race venue holding 2-3 premium NASCAR-style races per year.
ARCA Menards West Series stats at Tri-City Raceway (TCR)
-72nd season in history.
-Race No. 1035 since the inception of the West Series in 1954.
-2025 race No. 7 of 12.
-697th paved oval race in history.
-This will be the 11th race since 1968 at TCR.
As far as statistics are concerned, of the ten races already contested in Tri-City Raceway we can highlight:
Manufacturer
Win: Ford (4), Dodge (3), Chevrolet (1), Pontiac (1), Toyota (1)
Pole: Chevrolet (6), Ford (1), Dodge (1), Plymouth (1), Toyota (1)
Race car number
Win: #79 (2), #96 (2), #7 (1), #13 (1), #18 (1), #20 (1), #50 (1), #97 (1)
Pole: #75 (2), #00 (1), #04 (1), #5 (1), #37 (1), #61 (1), #85 (1), #95 (1), #96 (1)
Owner
Win: Fred Elder (2), Warren Razore (2), Bob Bristol (1), Ernie Conn (1), Tom Craigen (1), Samuel Roebuck (1), Kelly Souza (1), John Strauser (1)
Pole: Wayne Spears (2), Marshall Chesrown (1), Fred Elder (1), Beryl Jackson (1), Gene Monaco (1), Mike Ober (1), Jerry Pitts (1), Varner Brothers (1), Dan Wade (1)
Driver
Win: Ray Elder (2), Roy Smith (2), Mike Chase (1), Jim Cook (1), Jeff Jefferson (1), Jack McCoy (1), Tyler Reif (1), Dirk Stephens (1)
Pole: Bill Sedgwick (2), Dick Bown (1), Rick Carelli (1), Ray Elder (1), Sean Hingorani (1), Frank James (1), Hershel McGriff (1), Kevin Richards (1), Lance Wade (1)
Crew chief
Win: Richard Elder (2), Jackie Jackson (2), Ernie Conn (1), Tom Craigen (1), Ronald Drake (1), Michael Munoz (1), Samuel Roebuck (1)
Pole: Leon Ruther (2), Dustin Ash (1), Chuck Carruthers (1), Richard Elder (1), Joe Garone/David Ifft (1), Pat McElreath (1), George Wade (1)
-In all, eight different drivers have won at least one race at TCR
-The track record owned since 2024 by Sean Hingorani in 96.386 mph, beating the previous record of 95.541 mph, was owned by two drivers, Bill Sedgwick and Kevin Richards, respectively, in 1990 and 2003.
-The poleman has won the race only one time (1970). .
-Mike Chase (1994) and Jeff Jefferson (2003) won the race from 6th position on the starting grid, which is a record.
-As far as yellow flags are concerned, the record is 10 in 1990. The 1990 race holds the record for the number of yellow flag laps with 72.
– The 1970 and 1972 races hold the record for the fewest cautions with one.
-The most leader changes occurred in 1989 with 10. The fewest leader changes was one in 2003.
-The largest starting field was in 1972 with 24 cars.
-The smallest starting field was in 2024 with 15 cars.
-The driver with the most races is Jack Sellers (5).
-The drivers with the most Top 5 are Mike Chase (3), Ray Elder (3) and Jack McCoy (3).
-The driver with the most Top 10 is John Krebs (4).
-The driver with the most laps is Jack Sellers (853).
-The driver with the most laps led is Mike Chase (244) with exactly double the next one is Kevin Richards (122).
The race will be 150 laps (75 miles) and all track activities will be concentrated on the single day of Saturday with a single practice from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. PT. The General Tire Pole Qualifying at 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. PT and finally the 150-lap race at 7:45 p.m. PT.
The Race Procedure
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 lap qualifying. No adjustments or repairs may be made on the car after taking the green flag at Start/Finish line. All cars must make a qualifying attempt, and all drivers must practice before they can qualify (EIRI).
RACE PIT STOP: Break Pitting Procedure; break at or near lap 75. No adding or moving tires to or from pit stall once the race has started.
TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum tire usage for this event (purchased plus from-home tires) is 12.
The Drivers
No. 05 David Smith (Shockwave Racing)
Fifteenth last year after a physically exhausting race, the Canadian veteran intends to aim for the top 10 this time around. But to do so, he’ll need to have a better race pace, especially if the green-flag runs are longer. Brandon Carlson will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 34 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10th (3x) | 1 start, best result 15th |
No. 1 Robbie Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team)
Last year, Robbie didn’t participate in the race as a driver, but he played a role in preparing Danica Dart’s car, which she drove for KKM, the Kennealy family team. With his crew chief, Chris Greaney, the goal will clearly be a top-five finish at the very least. Excluding the Sonoma race, the driver of the No. 1 car has been improving his results this season. With 9th, 7th, 6th, and 3rd place finishes respectively. This mathematical sequence leads straight to 1st place. The answer will be on Saturday!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 18 (2 DNS) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3rd | n/a |
No. 3 Todd Souza (Central Coast Racing)
To put the disappointment of Sonoma behind him, who retired due to a broken suspension, Souza intends to put in a strong performance on the tri-oval. Last year, he finished the race strongly with a solid fourth place. The adjustments made during the midway break were particularly effective. Gilbert Munoz will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 135 | 1 | 23 | 76 | 0 | 1st (1x) | 1 start, best result : 4th |
No. 5 Eric Johnson, Jr. (Jerry Pitts Racing)
Last year, his race was hampered by suspension issues. This time, he’s driving the car Sean Hingorani drove to second place in 2024. Given Johnson, Jr.’s progress this season on ovals, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with for victory. Even last year, even before his technical issues, he had a great pace. Dustin Ash will be his crew chief. It’s worth noting that Ash took pole position last year with Sean Hingorani.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 22 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 2nd | 1 start, best result 13th |
No. 13 Tanner Reif (Central Coast Racing)
Last year, Tanner’s younger brother Tyler won the race. However, the eldest Reif brother will be discovering the tri-oval with a West Series car. But then, will the No. 13 visit Victory Lane again this year? If so, it will be a very special day. Because if Tanner Reif wins the race at Tri-City Raceway, he will allow the Reif family to make history in the West Series. Indeed, this would be the first time two brothers have won the same race two years in a row with the same team and crew chief. Tyler Reif won the race last year with the No. 13 Central Coast Racing car and Michael Munoz as crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 31 | 3 | 13 | 21 | 2 | 1st (3x) | n/a |
No. 19 Jake Bollman (Bill McAnally Racing)
The speedy Bollman is back behind the wheel of BMR’s No. 19 after Christian Eckes’ stint at Sonoma. Bollman’s last race at Bakersfield was disappointing after a broken right rear axle mid-race while he was running second. He will start for the first time at Tri-City, as will his crew chief Cayden Lapcevich. But BMR has shown good speed at all tracks since the start of the season. Last year, Jack Wood finished third here in the car Jake will be using this Saturday.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 8 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1st (1x) | n/a |
No. 23 Greg Biffle (Sigma Performance Services)
What great news is the presence of former NASCAR Cup Series star Greg Biffle, just like last year. Fast at the start of the race when he was in third place, he had a difficult second segment with a very unstable car due to poor adjustment choices. We can be sure that this year, the driver with 19 Cup Series victories will not make the same mistakes. Billy Wheeler will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4th | 1 start, best result 9th |
No. 31 Tyler Brown (Rise Motorsports)
Last year, Rise Motorsports finished 12th with Rick Redig-Tackmand as a driver. The team, led by owner Tim Goulet, returns this year with another West Series rookie. This time, it’s Tyler Brown, from Kennewick, WA. This driver started racing at the age of four with the Tri-City Kart Club before racing in the half-mile in various classes, including Super Late Model. He knows the track well, which will help him make his debut behind the wheel of a heavy and powerful ARCA West Series car. Tim Goulet will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 50 Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing)
Huddleston overcame the odds by finishing in an excellent fourth place at Sonoma, solidifying his championship lead. Last year at Tri-City, he had a difficult race despite major adjustments before the start of the race. He finished only seventh. But in 2024, his season was full of ups and downs. One time he was fighting for victory, the next he was struggling at the bottom of the top 10. This year, he’s still at the top, so it’s only natural that he’ll be a force to be reckoned with for victory. Jeff Schrader will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 83 | 7 | 35 | 67 | 3 | 1st (7x) | 1 start, best result 7th |
No. 51 Blake Lothian (Strike Mamba Racing)
The rookie will be new to the Tri-Oval but is aiming to finish in the top 10. He enters the second half of the season with higher expectations. It may be difficult to reach the top 5, but the closer he gets, the more confident he will become. John Reaume will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8th | n/a |
No. 71 Kyle Keller (Jan’s Racing Team)
Last year, Keller achieved a fine fifth place in the KKM-managed car. This year, he has reached a higher level, becoming a serious contender for the championship. He still needs just one victory to finally free his spirit. Having finished second too often this year (already three times second in six races), Keller will do everything he can to finally claim his first career victory. Brian Kizer will of course be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 39 | 0 | 12 | 26 | 0 | 2nd (3x) | 1 start, best result 5th |
No. 72 Jonathan Reaume (Strike Mamba Racing)
Like his teammate Blake Lothian, Reaume will be discovering the Tri-City oval in a West Series car. The goal is to break into the top 10. He’s shown he’s capable of it. Can he hope for more? It’s hard to say because he’s not the only one discovering this oval, it’s also the case for his team. And those who were there last year have accumulated data that any rookie team lacks. But SMR has shown since the beginning of the season that the team is serious and isn’t trying to rush things. Al Lebert will be its crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tri-City |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8th | n/a |
Final notes
-Driver Jade Avedisian will make her West Series debut with Venturini Motorsports in the October 10 race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring. She will drive the No. 25 Toyota.