PIT BOX: ARCA Menards Series West heads to Portland for first road course race of 2024

After enjoying a month-long break, ARCA Menards Series West competitors will finally return to action by making both left and right hand turns this weekend.

Portland International Raceway serves as the third venue on the 2024 West Series schedule. The 1.98-mile road course has made infrequent appearances throughout the existence of the West Series, but has since become a calendar staple since returning in 2021.

Boasting a proud history of racing since first opening to the public in 1961, Portland has hosted events for major motorsports tours like IMSA, the IndyCar Series and Formula E. When NASCAR has visited the facility, drivers like Mark Martin, Greg Biffle and A.J. Allmendinger have earned trips to Portland’s Victory Lane.

With road courses becoming more prevalent in NASCAR, the West Series’ Portland dates have served as a proving ground for young competitors. Ascertaining Portland’s unique layout will be imperative for both young prospects and veterans alike, especially with another road course in Sonoma Raceway immediately following Friday’s on-track action.

Tickets to Friday’s Portland 112 can be purchased here. Below is everything to know ahead of the West Series’ lone visit to Portland International Raceway this year.

Portland 112 at Portland International Raceway

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

With Taylor Gray, Jake Drew and Landen Lewis not on the preliminary entry list, Friday will produce a new West Series winner at Portland International Raceway.

The group of drivers seeking to find victory this weekend includes West Series standouts along with invaders from the premier ARCA division. Leading the way is William Sawalich in Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18, who opened the 2024 West Series campaign with a victory at Phoenix Raceway.

Joining Sawalich in making the long journey to Portland is the Venturini Motorsports armada consisting of Jake Finch, Gio Ruggiero and Isabella Robusto. Both Finch and Ruggiero each have wins on the ARCA platform this year, while Robusto is seeking to improve upon an impressive sixth place showing in her West Series debut at Phoenix.

Defending West Series champion Sean Hingorani is among the group that seeks to fend off the competitors from the East Coast. Hingorani has bounced around several teams to open 2024 but now finds himself in the No. 5 for Jerry Pitts, which won the most recent West Series event at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway with Kole Raz.

Also in the field for Friday’s Portland 112 is long-time veteran Dale Quarterley, who is making his first appearance on the ARCA platform since Daytona International Speedway in February. A six-time East Series winner, Quarterley was competitive at Portland in 2023, finishing in third after starting 14^th.

Other notable names on the entry list include Marco Andretti, who is fresh off competing in the Indianapolis 500, along with Brandon Jones, Jack Wood and Tanner Reif.

The complete entry list for the Portland 112 can be viewed here.

RACING REFERENCE:

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

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Portland 112 is limited to 26 starters plus provisionals. This event will run under the 2024 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Starting position will be set by each car’s fastest recorded lap in the Timed Session.

RACE PIT STOP: There will be a scheduled caution at or near lap 28. Pitting during any caution period in this event will be for adding fuel, 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 for 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 8. Maximum number of tires allowed in pit box for use in race is 2 for emergency use only, approved by ARCA officials (EIRI).