Max Reaves masters Elko Speedway for first ARCA Menards Series victory

ELKO NEW MARKET, Minn. — Max Reaves knew when he signed on to drive the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in ARCA competition that expectations would be high this season.

So far, he’s more than lived up to those expectations.

The 15-year-old from Trinity, North Carolina secured his first ARCA Menards Series victory Saturday night thanks to a spirited drive late in the Shore Lunch 250 presented by Dutch Boy at Minnesota’s Elko Speedway.

Reaves, who has won all three of the ARCA Menards Series East events he’s started this season, made his second ARCA Menards Series start Saturday after finishing second last week at Berlin Raceway.

“It’s crazy,” Reaves said in Victory Lane. “I won in the East (Series) three times in a row. That was crazy, but to win in the national series like this is just awesome.”

Reaves qualified second and initially took the lead on Lap 2 from polesitter and ARCA Menards Series championship leader Brenden “Butterbean” Queen. Reaves led until Lap 40, when Queen got the jump on a restart to regain the lead.

Queen spent most of the event at the front of the field with Reaves chasing him in second, but everything changed aftr the second of two scheduled race breaks at Lap 175.

When racing resumed, Queen found himself hounded by not just Reaves, but also Lavar Scott.

Scott, who was part of a thrilling three-wide photo finish at Elko one season ago, was able to slip past both Reaves and Queen to briefly take the race lead.

Reaves followed Scott past Queen, and with 47 laps left, he made the move around Scott to regain the lead. Once in front, Reaves never gave up the top spot again and cruised to a more than three second victory ahead of Queen.

“I was just letting them get a chance and get their hopes up,” Reaves boasted. “That’s why they got away from me. I turned it on at the end. I’m so thankful for all my crew, my dad and Cook Out. This Cook Out Camry was fast.”

Queen led the most laps and finished second to further extend his lead in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings. Lawless Alan finished third, followed by the debuting Ty Fredrickson and Isabella Robusto.

The remainder of the top 10 included Jason Kitzmiller, Scott, Taylor Reimer, Willie Mullins and Alex Clubb.

Next up on the ARCA Menards Series schedule is Lime Rock Park, which will host the series for the first time next Saturday afternoon. The Lime Rock Park 100 will air live at 4 p.m. ET on FS2.