PIT BOX: Irwindale Speedway welcomes ARCA Menards Series West for round two of 2023

The ARCA Menards Series West season kicks into high gear with Round 2 of the 2023 season this Saturday night at California’s Irwindale Speedway.

The West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150 marks the 33rd time the series has visited the popular half-mile oval. Steve Portenga won the first West Series event at Irwindale in 1999. The series has visited the facility almost annually ever since.

Among the drivers to visit Victory Lane in West Series action at Irwindale are several familiar names, including Brendan Gaughan, Todd Gilliland, Austin Cameron, Jason Bowles and Jesse Love. Last year Tanner Reif earned his maiden West Series victory at the first of two stops at Irwindale.

Tickets to the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150 are available. Below is everything to know about Saturday’s event.

West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150 at Irwindale Speedway

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

He’s driving for a new team, but the goal remains the same for Tanner Reif entering Saturday’s West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150 at Irwindale Speedway.

Reif, the defending winner of Saturday’s race, returns to defend his crown as the new pilot of the No. 16 Chevrolet for Bill McAnally Racing. Last year Reif drove to his first West Series victory at Irwindale aboard the No. 6 Sunrise Racing Ford for team owner Bob Bruncati.

He’ll look to defend his crown Saturday against a strong field that includes his younger brother and Phoenix Raceway winner Tyler Reif. The younger Reif has kept himself busy since winning at Phoenix by competing in the ARCA Menards Series East opener at Florida’s Five Flags Speedway, where he finished sixth.

Hometown favorite Trevor Huddleston returns to Irwindale, the site of one of his two West Series victories, aboard the High Point Racing No. 50 Ford. He’ll also have a teammate Saturday, with the debuting Jake Bollman joining the team aboard the No. 55 Ford.

MORE IRWINDALE: Schedule | Tickets

Sean Hingorani continues his busy season aboard the No. 15 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports, and Bradley Erickson, fresh off a strong third-place finish at Phoenix Raceway, will also be back in action in the No. 88 Ford.

Landen Lewis, who fell two corners shy of winning at Phoenix, will again pilot the No. 17 for team owner Steve McGowan.

Other notable entrants include local competitor Nick Joanides, brothers Eric and Ethan Nascimento, U.S. Air Force pilot Ryan Roulette, Todd Souza, Kyle Keller and R.J. Smotherman.

The complete entry list for Saturday’s West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150 is available here.

RACING REFERENCE:

• Previous ARCA West races at Irwindale
• ARCA Menards Series West drivers at Irwindale

RACE FACTS

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame 150 is limited to 22 plus provisional positions. This event will run under the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Starting position will be set by each car’s fastest recorded lap per the timed session qualifying procedure.

RACE PIT STOP: Pitting is restricted to repairs, adding fuel, adjustments and emergency tire changes only. Pitting is not required. Any tire changes during the race must be approved by ARCA. (Learn about all of ARCA’s pit stop procedures here.)

The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum tire usage for this event (purchased plus from-home tires) is eight (8) on race day, plus four (4) for pre-race practice day. Maximum number of tires allowed in pit box for use in race is four (4) for emergency use only.