By Vincent Delforge, special to KickinTheTires.net
After almost a month of waiting, the ARCA Menards West Series returns this Saturday, October 1 for the ninth race of the season at the All American Speedway in Roseville, CA. This 0.333 mile short track always puts on a great show with epic brawls on the track. Yellow flags and overtimes are common here.
Last year it was P.J. Pedroncelli who won his first career victory there during a crazy overtime by leading only a few hundred meters. After pausing his season since Irwindale last July, he returns to defend his title.
However, he will have a lot to do with the Bruncati Racing duo led by championship leader Jake Drew. Indeed he and his teammate, the rookie Tanner Reif won six of the eight races of the season, including the last five to date! And we must not forget in the equation the return to form since two races of the pilots of Bill McAnally Racing who will be keen to win the home race of their team. And there are many other contenders for victory as we will see in detail below.
The race titled the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Berco Redwood will consist of 150 laps for 49.95 miles. The start will be given at 7:45 pm (PT). The race will be preceded by a single practice/qualifying session of one hour and fifteen minutes.
Race procedures
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Berco Redwood is limited to 20 plus provisional positions. This event will be run under the 2022 ARCA Menards Series West rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.
QUALIFYING: Starting position will be set by each car’s fastest recorded lap in the practice / qualifying session.
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 penalty or going a lap down on pit road.
The maximum tire allotment available for this event: The maximum tire use at track for the event is eight (8). Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum number of tires allowed in pit box for use in race is four (4) for emergency use only.
ARCA West at Roseville
Before detailing the entry list, let’s go back for a moment to the past and the stats concerning the All American Speedway.
The first coming to Roseville was in 1977 when the oval was still a quarter mile. Chuck Bown will get pole position but following a redraw will only start in fifth position. Ernie Stierly, who had inherited the first position on the starting grid, was heading for his sixth career victory when he was passed six laps from the finish by Sumner McKnight who thus took his first career victory.
This quarter mile will be used until 1982. It will then be necessary to wait until 2008 for the All American Speedway, reconfigured in the meantime to a 0.333 mile, to return to the West Series calendar. From 2008 to 2011 we will come there twice a year. A period largely dominated by Bill McAnally Racing since the team won six victories there in eight races. The master of the place being undoubtedly the triple champion Eric Holmes. The latter still holds the victory record in Roseville with four.
Since 2012, the West Series has come to Roseville once a year. Note that the last four winners have all won their first and to date only career victory there with Cole Rouse, Jagger Jones, Gio Scelzi and P.J. Pedroncelli since 2018.
As far as statistics are concerned, of the 23 races already contested in Roseville we can highlight:
-Eric Holmes is the most successful pilot with four wins. He precedes Paulie Harraka (2) and all the other drivers who each have a victory.
-Among the manufacturers, Toyota leads the dance with 10 wins ahead of Ford (7), Chevrolet (2), Oldsmobile (2), Pontiac (1) and Buick (1).
-The most successful team is almost unsurprisingly Bill McAnally Racing with nine wins (2008, 2009 (2X), 2010 (2X), 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2020. Bruncati Racing follows with three wins (2016, 2017 and 2019) .
-Concerning the poles, BMR is again at the top of the ranking with seven (2009, 2010 (2X), 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019). Bruncati Racing being just behind with five (2008, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021).
-The track record is owned by Michael Self for Bruncati Racing at 89.383 mph achieved in 2017.
-The poleman has won the race 11 times.
-Jason Fensler won the race in 2011 from 15th position on the starting grid, which is a record.
-As far as yellow flags are concerned, the record is 11 in 2021 while twice in 1977 and 1981 there was only one. The March 2008 race holds the record for the number of yellow flag laps with 76, while the 1978 race holds the opposite record with only seven laps.
The Drivers
After two races with less than 20 cars, Roseville is full with a good entry list comprising 22 drivers.
No. 05 Dave Smith (Shockwave Racing)
After a first experience at Evergreen ended prematurely by an accident, the Canadian veteran returns with the firm intention of entering the top 10. His Toyota has been repaired and he is counting on the vast experience in the NASCAR national series of his crew chief Dave Fuge to find the right setup. Indeed for the latter, it will also be a first on the Californian short track.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13th | n/a |
No. 4 Sebastian Arias (Nascimento Racing)
Absent in the last two races, the young Colombian is back for the rest of the season. He will make his first race at Roseville but he has shown to be comfortable on short tracks as evidenced by his two eighth positions obtained during the two races at Irwindale earlier in the season. His crew chief Mike Nascimento having already found his way to the top 10 with Luis Tyrrell, but that was almost 10 years ago in 2013.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8th (2x) | n/a |
No. 6 Jake Drew (Bruncati Racing)
Not considering Jake Drew as a potential winner in Roseville is nonsense. The driver from Fullerton, CA being on another planet this year. Leader with 52 points in the championship, he can afford to take more risks to aim for victory without fear of endangering his first position.
Last year he led 53 laps but had an accident with BMR drivers Jesse Love and Cole Moore at the very end of the race. He intends to put his name on the list of winners in Roseville. His crew chief Bill Sedgwick experienced the joys of victory here not too long ago since it was in 2019 with Jagger Jones.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 17 | 4 | 12 | 15 | 6 | 1st (4x) | 1 start, best result 8th |
No. 7 Takuma Koga (Jerry Pitts Racing)
It will be the 99th career race for the Japanese. This year is arguably Koga’s best season in the West Series as he has already scored five top 10s including two top fives, his record, in eight races.
The agreement with crew chief Denny Moyer is excellent and he could improve his stats in Roseville which are already good with three top-10 finishes in five races here. He remains with two ninth positions in 2020 and 2021.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 98 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 5th (4x) | 5 starts, best result 9th (2x) |
No. 9 Tanner Reif (Bruncati Racing)
The best rookie this year has proven to be a formidable short track driver. As proof, his victories at Irwindale and Evergreen. Although Tanner will be making his West Series debut at Roseville, he knows the track very well, for example having driven there in the SRL Spears Pro Late Model.
His experience here should make him a strong contender for victory. His crew chief Jeff Schrader came very close to an additional victory last year with Jake Drew. Indeed Schrader has already experienced the joys of Victory Lane twice with Ryan Partridge in 2016 and Michael Self in 2017.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 8 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1st (2x) | n/a |
No. 11 Chris Lowden (Lowden Motorsports)
Our friendly bearded man will make his debut in Roseville but he is used to short tracks. After having used his new chassis (the 110 inches) for the first time at Evergreen, he intends to use his better knowledge of his mount to get closer to the top-10.
Dave Jackson, his crew chief, Mike Holleran, the engine tuner and all his little band are ready to surprise us. And as in Roseville there is often breakage, the objective of the top 10 is possible provided you are one of those who will have known how to avoid problems of course!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12th (2x) | n/a |
No. 12 Kyle Keller (Jerry Pitts Racing)
Keller is on the long list of drivers making their West Series debut at Roseville. However since teaming up with Jerry Pitts this year, Keller has immediately found his way back to the top-five. His mastery of very small ovals should allow him to play for victory. As for Jerry Pitts, he has already obtained everything in Roseville except victory! Seconds, third positions… He’s had enough!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 7 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4th (2x) | n/a |
No. 13 Todd Souza (Central Coast Racing)
The most experienced driver appreciates the All American Speedway. In seven races, he obtained five top-10 finishes including four top-fives. With as best result a second position in 2020. Last year he finished the race in fourth position.
As for his crew chief Michael Munoz, his stats are even better with eight top 10s. Indeed Munoz having obtained in 2016 a 10th position with Michael Waltrip during one of the 20 races of his career where he was “unfaithful” to Souza. Clarifications, however, that Souza was not involved in these races, hence the relative inconsistencies.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 105 | 1 | 17 | 58 | 0 | 1st (1x) | 7 starts, best result : 2nd |
No. 16 Landen Lewis (Bill McAnally Racing)
Lewis will make his debut in Roseville. The BMR driver hopes to finally find the way to victory with his new team. He has shown that he has the capabilities in the last two races without unfortunately making it happen.
Blame it on his passion but also on the not always exemplary reliability this year for the cars of the Roseville team. At home, with the help of his crew chief Charlie Wilson, it will be interesting to follow the race of No. 16. Wilson who only has a 10th position as the best result here, obtained with Brett Thompson in 2011.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1st (1x) | n/a |
No. 19 Sean Hingorani (Bill McAnally Racing)
Hingorani is certainly one of the nice surprises of the 2022 season. Impressively fast, he was able to break into the top-five each time during his first two races in the West Series on tracks he did not know, without being able to materialize. Victim of an accident in Evergreen and a mechanical problem in Portland.
He will do his first race for BMR after having driven for Nascimento Motorsports. The very experienced crew chief Roger Bracken will be at his side to help him achieve his first big result. Bracken who has already won twice here with Jason Fensler in 2011 and Christian PaHud in 2014.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12th | n/a |
No. 21 RJ Smotherman (Lowden Motorsports with Holleran-Wood Racing)
After making his Evergreen debut with a planned start and park, the goal being for him to learn how to drive a West Series car, Smotherman returns for the final three races of the season. If he has experience on the Las Vegas Bullring, he will discover Roseville and Phoenix.
The objective is to finish the race without encountering any problems. Because he uses the “old” 105 inch chassis previously used by his teammate Lowden. Matt Jackson will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15th | n/a |
No. 24 John Moore (Bill McAnally Racing)
For the first time in BMR history, a father/son duo will ride in the same race. Because yes, John is the father of Cole Moore. That said, John Moore is no stranger to BMR and the West Series. Indeed he has already done seven races between 2003 and 2015 in West including three for Bill McAnally between 2003 and 2004. He knows the Roseville track well for having driven there in different series.
As for the West Series, there was a race there in 2015 for the team of John Wood and Mike Holleran with a 17th position. On his resume, he has a top-five and two top10s. His best result being a fifth place at Stockton in 2004. Eric Schmidt will be his crew chief;
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5th | 1 start, best result 17th |
No. 31 Paul Pedroncelli (P.J. Pedroncelli Racing)
At the time of writing, the team has not yet been able to tell me if Paul will do a start & park like in the other races of the season or if he will be able to do the entire race. Last year he did an S&P and finished 23rd and last while his son P.J. won the race. A son first and a father last in the same race was a first in the history of the West Series at the time.
Here with two father/son duos, counting the Moores, which duo will be the most successful? Answer Saturday. Rodd Kneeland will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At roseville |
| 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9th | 1 start, best result : 23rd |
No. 33 P.J. Pedroncelli (P.J. Pedroncelli Racing)
Undoubtedly the best memory of P.J.’s career since he won his first career victory here last year. Certainly leading only a few meters, but without being totally a surprise victory as he had had a superb season allowing him to aim for the title until the last race. To preserve its budget, as the Pedroncelli family self-finances its racing team with the family business, the decision was made to pause the 2022 program after the sixth race at Irwindale.
The championship was already impossible to obtain. Why? To better focus on the 2023 season. But as he had hinted to us, coming to defend his title in Roseville was itching. And it will be necessary to count on the No°33 for the victory. In addition to winning the race last year, his crew chief Ty Joiner had already done so in 2008, 2009 and 2011 with Eric Holmes. Which makes him the most successful crew chief in Roseville.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 28 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 1st (1x) | 3 starts, best result : 1st |
No. 39 Andrew Tuttle (Last Chance Racing)
16th last year for his return to the West Series, Tuttle intends to do much better this year. The LCR driver/owner having been on an upward slope for three races, closing in on the top 10. Note that he had already raced in Roseville in 2013. With his wife Taniesha, who is his crew chief, the couple would like to offer themselves to celebrate their three years of marriage (it was September 21) a first top10.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11th (1x) | 2 starts, best result 16th |
No. 54 Joey Iest (Naake-Klauer Motorsports)
Iest’s 2022 season is made up of ups and downs… One in two shots, he is in the top-five and one out of two shots, he is the victim of a mechanical problem. Annoying, especially since Joey is as always very efficient.
Last year he finished second in the race behind P.J. If bad luck finds another prey than Iest this year, he will be a serious candidate for victory. Because Mike Naake, its crew chief and owner, knows how to get good results here. The team only needs one victory to make us forget a complicated season.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 21 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 1st (1x) | 1 start, best result 2nd |
No. 77 Nick Joanides (Performance P-1 Motorsports)
Swiss army knife or deluxe substitute from the West Series. It doesn’t matter what you call Nick Joanides, but one thing is certain, he is a driver who can be counted on to bring a car, even in difficulty, into the top 10. In addition he is in good shape because he has just won a SRL Spears Pro Late Model race with PP1M at Irwindale on September 17th.
Balm to the heart of Joe Nava and his team in a very difficult 2022 season due to a lack of budget. But PP1M has a victorious past in the West Series and they should not be dismissed too quickly from the top-five. Certainly for the victory it may be complicated but for a big result, we can count on them. They live from the love of sport. Dave McKenzie will be the crew chief as always. Joanides made a race at Roseville in West in 2018 securing fourth place.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 17 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4th (1x) | 1 start, best result : 4th |
No. 80 Brian Kamisky (Dereck Copeland Racing)
Kamisky is a bit of an enigma. Road ringer par excellence, he has been coming for a few races on ovals since last year. He was unable to start in Sonoma due to an engine problem in his only appearance of the season.
He returns to Roseville for the second time after last year’s race where he finished 13th in what was then his second career West Series oval race. Derek Copeland (co-owner) will be his crew chief as always in the West Series.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8th | 1 start, best result: 13th |
No. 84 Bradley Erickson (Naake-Klauer Motorsports)
For the second time this season NKM will enter a second car alongside Joey Iest with Bradley Erickson. This young driver had a good race on his debut at Irwindale where he was sailing in the top 10 before experiencing a mechanical problem.
This season in SRL Spears Pro Late Model, he obtained very good results with for example a victory in Kern County. Erickson is one of the NKM pilots. Tony Caputo will be once again his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20th | n/a |
No. 85 Vince Little (Last Chance Racing)
So far, our race instructor from Sonoma, CA has only done the three road races this season. But since becoming LCR’s second driver, his schedule has grown to include the final three races of the season on ovals. Roseville will therefore be his first race in the West Series where you only turn left.
That said, Little has driven ovals before at Mesa Marin or Madera but that was many years ago in the defunct NASCAR SouthWest Series. Darrell Herzog will of course be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11th (2x) | n/a |
No. 88 Bridget Burgess (BMI Racing)
If there is one number that Bridget Burgess no longer wants to see in Roseville, it is number 11. Why? Because in three races here, she has finished three times in 11th position! We call it being consistent… But Bridget is aiming for the top-10.
The 2022 season is complicated for BMI with results below expectations. However, it is intrinsic, as Bridget has progressed. Luck just has to turn on her side. Note that her mother, Sarah, will be her crew chief as always. That is before she becomes her teammate, and an on-track rival, in Las Vegas on October 14!
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Roseville |
| 28 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 7th (2x) | 3 starts, best result : 11th (3x) |
No. 99 Cole Moore (Bill McAnally Racing)
Four career races at Roseville for Cole Moore with three top 10s including a top five (fifth in 2021). This will be the second time he has driven with his father in a West Series race. The first time was here in Roseville in 2015. But this year, the Moores will be teammates at BMR. In 2015 the father, John, had beaten the son by finishing 17th while Cole finished 19th.
It’s a safe bet that this year the trend will reverse. Let’s hope it, at least for Cole, just to save a very disappointing 2022 season for the one who was one of the favorites for the championship. Mario Isola will be his crew chief.
| Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Pole | Best result | At Portland |
| 25 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 2nd | 3 starts, best result: 4th |
Final notes
–Note the absence of Trevor Huddleston, While it was expected to see him on all the races on ovals.
–Bobby Hillis, Jr. is also absent for budgetary reasons, but good news, he will be back in Las Vegas on October 14!
-Who will be the 201th winner in the history of the West Series? The 200th being Jake Drew here at Portland in June this year.