By Vincent Delforce, Staff Writer
The third race of the 2025 ARCA Menards West Series season will take place this Saturday, April 5, at Tucson Speedway. This 0.375-mile short-track, paved oval is located in Tucson, Arizona. The ARCA Menards Series 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame will be the 20th race the West Series has held at this oval since 1993, when Dirk Stephens won. The last time the race was held was during the 2019 doubleheader, which saw Derek Kraus win both races.
All activities will be concentrated on Saturday, with a one-hour practice session at 2 p.m. (PT), the qualifying session at 3:30 p.m., and finally the start of the race at 7 p.m. for a 150-lap, 56.25-mile race.
Following the Phoenix race on March 7th, which was combined with the ARCA Menards National Series, this race, like all others between now and the end of the season, will be a standalone race for the West Series. While the number of cars competing in 2023 and 2024 had increased, this season it has dropped, and only 13 drivers will be starting the race. Among them are championship leader Trevor Huddleston and all those who will be competing for a full season: Kyle Keller, Robbie Kennealy, Tanner Reif, David Smith, Eric Johnson, Jr., and Blake Lothian. But Tucson will also be the occasion to see Caleb Shrader for the first time on an oval. The road track specialist will drive a second car for Jerry Pitts Racing. Veteran Todd Souza will also return to action behind the wheel of the No. 3 at Central Coast Racing, replacing the young Spaniard Adrian Ferrer. Due to a lack of funding for the West Series, the latter will nevertheless participate in a NASCAR Weekly Series race at Charlotte with the support of Toyota Racing.
For the first time this season, Performance P-1 Motorsports will enter its iconic No. 77. A car driven by Mariah Boudrieau, whose last appearance in the West Series dates back to 2023.
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: Starting position will be set by each car’s fastest lap recorded in General Tire Pole Award qualifying (single car, 2 laps; impound).
RACE PIT STOP: Pitting during any caution during this event will be for repairs or adjustments only. No tires can be changed unless damaged and approved by ARCA officials. Positions lost or gained among those pitting on the same lap unless 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 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 Tucson
-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.
-Among the manufacturers, Chevrolet and Ford are tied with eight wins each ahead of Toyota (3) 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 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) and Joe Nava (1).
-Ron Hornaday, Jr., Derek Kraus and Kody Vanderwal are the most successful driver at Tucson with two wins each. In all, 16 different drivers have won at least one race atTucson.
-Five times in 19 races, the pole-sitter wins at Tucson.
-Bill McAnally Racing is the most successful team in Tucson with four poles ahead of Bill Stroppe 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, Chevrolet leads the dance with 10 poles ahead of Toyota (6) and Ford (3).
-The all-time most successful manufacturer for pole position is Chevrolet with 261.
-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 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)
Note that with 6 races and 4 races respectively to their credit in Tucson, Todd Souza and Trevor Huddleston are the only two drivers to have already driven in the West Series on this oval in the past.
The drivers
No. 05 David Smith (Shockwave Racing)
While the veteran Canadian, like most other riders, will be making his first West Series race in Tucson, he is familiar with the track, having already raced there a few years ago. For example, he participated in the Turkey Shoot 125 in 2021 and 2023, failing to reach the top 10 each time (best result 11th). However, this experience will serve him well this Saturday as he strives for his fourth career top 10 finish. Brian Carlson will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 30 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10th (3x) | n/a |
No. 1 Robbie Kennealy (Jan’s Racing Team)
With a solid ninth-place finish in Phoenix, making him the only driver to finish the first two races of the season in the top 10, Kennealy retains the No. 1 car and plans to build on this strong momentum to take the championship lead. He will, however, be new to Tucson. But his experienced crew chief, Chris Greaney, will be able to provide the support he needs.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 14 (2 DNS) | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4th | n/a |
No. 3 Todd Souza (Central Coast Racing)
Souza will be making his first race of the 2025 season. The veteran has a good knowledge of the Tucson Speedway having already made six races there in the West Series with two top 10s including an eighth position as his best result in 2019. Gilbert Munoz will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 131 | 1 | 23 | 74 | 0 | 1st (1x) | 6 starts, best result : 8th |
No. 5 Eric Johnson, Jr. (Jerry Pitts Racing)
Johnson, Jr. is clearly on an upward trajectory this season in terms of performance. He has never raced in Tucson but will benefit from the guidance of his crew chief Dustin Ash. Ash is very familiar with the oval, including as a West Series driver. He has competed there three times, finishing three times in the top10, including a best result of third place in 2015.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 18 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 4th | n/a |
No. 6 Caleb Shrader (Jerry Pitts Racing)
Until now, Shrader had only raced on road tracks in the West Series. This will be his first time on an oval track. He was able to test in Tucson earlier this year. Jerry Pitts will be his crew chief. One of the best crew chiefs in the history of the West Series, Pitts is familiar with Tucson, having won a race there in 2015 with current Cup Series star Noah Gragson.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7th | n/a |
No. 13 Tanner Reif (Central Coast Racing)
Tanner Reif is familiar with Tucson Speedway, having competed there in the Turkey Shoot 125 in 2020 and finished fourth. It’s been a few years, but that experience, combined with that of his crew chief Michael Munoz, will help them aim for victory.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 27 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 2 | 1st (2x) | n/a |
No. 19 Jake Bollman (Bill McAnally Racing)
Bollman, who suffered a very unfortunate run in Phoenix, will be keen to demonstrate that, in addition to his single-lap speed, he can deliver the hundredth victory that BMR has been waiting for since 2022. Cayden Lapcevich will be his crew chief. They will discover this oval together. But BMR can also count on John Camilleri, who, when he was Derek Kraus’s crew chief, had secured two poles and two victories here in 2018 and 2019 in Tucson.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7th (2x) | n/a |
No. 31 Tim Goulet (Rise Motorsports)
Rise Motorsports owner Tim Goulet will take the wheel of his car to make his West Series debut. He was already scheduled to race in Las Vegas in 2023 but withdrew. He was also scheduled to race in the second race at Irwindale last year but ultimately handed over the wheel to Rick Goodale. This time, he has the funding through sponsorship from Tri-City Raceway. This is good news, as it also ensures he’ll be present at the race on this oval on August 10th. He will be new to Tucson. Matthew Wright will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
No. 50 Trevor Huddleston (High Point Racing)
The championship leader could take advantage of the Tucson race to increase his championship lead. Indeed, he is the only one, along with Todd Souza, to have already driven in the West Series on this oval. And what’s more, he has had good results there, with three top 10s including two top 5s in four races. His best result here was a fourth-place finish in 2019 during the last race held to date by the West Series in Tucson. Jeff Schrader, his crew chief, has already won there. It was in 2016 with Ryan Partridge. I’m not taking any risks by announcing that the No. 50 is one of the favorites for victory this Saturday.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 79 | 6 | 31 | 63 | 3 | 1st (6x) | 4 starts, best result : 4th |
No. 51 Blake Lothian (Strike Mamba Racing)
Rookie Blake Lothian will be new to Tucson Speedway, just like his team, but he’s hoping to secure his first top-10 finish there. The first two races of the season have been difficult due to mechanical issues. SMR is still learning, and any experience gained is always useful moving forward. John Reaume will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11th | n/a |
No. 71 Kyle Keller (Jan’s Racing Team) Start: 10th – Fin: 15th
The final result in Phoenix doesn’t reflect Keller’s strong race. Without running out of fuel on the final lap, he would have easily finished in the top 10 and taken first place in the championship. It may only be a matter of time. Without experience in Tucson, he’ll have to find the right setup to aim for victory. He’ll have the help of his friend and crew chief, Biran Kizer, for that.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 36 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 0 | 2nd | n/a |
No. 72 Cody Dennison (Strike Mamba Racing)
After driving for Andy Hillenburg in Phoenix, Dennison returns to SMR, just as he did in the season opener at Bakersfield. He finished eighth at Kern, giving the new team its first top-10 finish. He raced in the Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville last weekend. Al Lebert will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 2 (1 DNQ) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8th | n/a |
No. 77 Mariah Boudrieau (Performance P-1 Motorsports)
During her last race in the West at the Bullring in Las Vegas in 2023, Boudrieau encountered several technical issues. Let’s wish her better luck this time. Joe Nava will be her crew chief. Tony Jackson, who prepared the car, was supposed to fill this role, but he had to undergo back surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery. It’s worth noting that PP1M won here in 1998 with Butch Gilliland behind the wheel.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Tucson |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13th (2x) | n/a |
Final notes
-The next race will be held in Colorado on May 24 and Mariah Boudrieau will once again drive the No. 77 PP1M.