PIT BOX: Stars of the West Coast head to Irwindale Speedway for a short-track Saturday night

EDITOR’S NOTE: The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame 150 presented by NAPA Auto Parts was rescheduled due to inclement weather forecasted for the Southern California region on race day. The race is now scheduled for Saturday, July 6.

For the 35th time in the history of the ARCA Menards Series West, California’s Irwindale Speedway will open its doors to the future stars of NASCAR for the running of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame 150 presented by NAPA Auto Parts this Saturday night (7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET on FloRacing).

Relatively new in comparison to some other tracks on the West Series schedule, Irwindale opened for business in 1999 and hosted the first West Series event at the half-mile asphalt oval later that season.

Steve Portenga won the first West Series race at Irwindale on June 19, 1999, the first of seven West Series victories during his career. A number of familiar names have since gone to Victory Lane at the popular track, including Brendan Gaughan, Jason Bowles, Todd Gilliland and Jesse Love, all of whom have won three straight races at Irwindale through the years.

Others to have tasted victory at Irwindale include Austin Cameron, Bobby Dotter, Brian Ickler, Greg Pursley, Chris Eggleston, Tanner Reif, Jake Drew, Trevor Huddleston and Sean Hingorani.

Tickets for the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame 150 presented by NAPA Auto Parts can be purchased here. Below is everything you need to know for Saturday’s West Series race at Irwindale.

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

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The 2023 edition of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame 150 presented by NAPA Auto Parts served as a coming out party for Hingorani, who bagged his first of four wins on his way to the West Series championship.

This year, Hingorani returns to Irwindale with a new team in Hattori Racing Enterprises. But he has the same winning mindset. He’ll look to secure a repeat trip to Victory Lane against a talented field of competitors, including a returning ARCA Menards Series champion.

That title winner is Mason Mitchell, who is making his first ARCA platform start since 2018. The 2014 ARCA Menards Series champion will pilot the No. 23 Chevrolet for Sigma Performance Services in his first of two scheduled ARCA starts during the 2024 season.

Isabella Robusto, who impressed in her first ARCA start a few weeks ago at Phoenix Raceway, returns for her second start of the 2024 season aboard the No. 55 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports. She’ll have a teammate in Jake Finch, who will drive the No. 20 Toyota out of the Venturini stable Saturday night.

Trevor Huddleston, the son of Irwindale Speedway promoter Tim Huddleston, is the most recent Irwindale winner in the West Series after scoring a victory at the track last summer. He’ll look to earn another win at his home track in the family-owned No. 50 Ford.

Other notable entries include Jack Wood, Tyler Reif, Kole Raz, Todd Souza, John Borneman III and Eric Johnson Jr., among others.

The complete entry list for the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame 150 presented by NAPA Auto Parts will be available later this week.

RACING REFERENCE:

• Previous ARCA Menards Series 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 Hall of Fame 150 presented by NAPA Auto Parts is limited to 22 starters plus provisionals. This event will run under the 2024 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.

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