PIT BOX: Return engagement at Irwindale Speedway awaits ARCA Menards Series West stars

After a few weeks off, the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West season resumes with its second trip of the season to California’s Irwindale Speedway for the running of the NAPA Auto Parts BlueDEF 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame on Saturday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.

Saturday’s race marks the 33rd time the series will visit the popular half-mile oval in Irwindale, California. The series first visited Irwindale Speedway in 1999, when Steve Portenga earned his first of seven career West Series victories.

Several familiar names have visited Victory Lane at Irwindale with the West Series, including current NASCAR Cup Series driver Todd Gilliland, current ARCA Menards Series points leader Jesse Love, Brendan Gaughan, Jason Bowles, Greg Pursley and Chris Eggleston. Tanner Reif and Jake Drew were winners at Irwindale in 2022, and Sean Hingorani bagged his first West Series victory at Irwindale earlier this year.

Tickets to Saturday’s NAPA Auto Parts BlueDEF 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame are available here. Below is everything to know about the event.

NAPA Auto Parts BlueDEF 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame at Irwindale Speedway

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The hunt for the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West championship kicks into overdrive this Saturday at Irwindale Speedway. Landen Lewis continues to lead the series standings following a strong start to the year that included a win at Portland International Raceway, but following a rough outing at Sonoma Raceway, his place at the top of the standings is far from secure.

Sean Hingorani, who won the series’ most recent visit to Irwindale earlier this year, has closed to within 12 points of Lewis. Bradley Erickson, who is still searching for his first victory of the year, is only 14 points behind Lewis in third.

All three drivers will be in the field alongside several other series regulars when the green flag waves. That includes Trevor Huddleston, who started from the pole and led 72 laps when the West Series visited Irwindale in April. His father, Tim Huddleston, is the co-owner of Irwindale Speedway.

MORE IRWINDALE: Buy Tickets | Event Schedule

Tyler Reif, who broke through in a big way with a victory at Phoenix Raceway in March, will also be in the field Saturday. He’ll be joined by teammate R.J. Smotherman, who is set for his first West Series start since the April 22 event at Kern County Raceway Park.

The entry list also features one debuting driver, 17-year-old Robbie Kennealy. The driver from Madera, California, who scored a $5,000 Pro Late Model victory earlier this year at California’s Madera Speedway, will be at the wheel of his own No. 1 Saturday night.

Other notable entrants include Tanner Reif, Kyle Keller, Todd Souza, Takuma Koga and brothers Ethan and Eric Nascimento.

The complete entry list for Saturday’s NAPA Auto Parts BlueDEF 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame is available here.

RACING REFERENCE:

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

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the NAPA Auto Parts BlueDEF 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame is limited to 22 starters plus provisionals. 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 in the timed session qualifying.

RACE PIT STOP: Pitting is restricted to repairs, adding fuel, adjustments and emergency tire changes only. Pitting is not required. Any tire changes 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 8. Maximum number of tires allowed in pit box for use in race is four (4) for emergency use only.