PIT BOX: ARCA Menards Series West drivers return to action at Tucson Speedway

Over a month after competing at Phoenix Raceway, the ARCA Menards Series West stays in the state of Arizona for their third race of the 2026 season at Tucson Speedway.

Built in 1968 as a dirt track, Tucson long served as a hub for midget car racing in the southwest. Midgets continued to race at Tucson for a significant period after it was paved in 1992, but the facility also started welcoming asphalt divisions such as the NASCAR Southwest Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 1995-97.

The West Series’ history at Tucson dates to 1974 when six-time champion Ray Elder brought home a checkered flag. Tucson made more frequent appearances on the West Series calendar during the 1990s and the 2010s, with the list of notable winners including Ron Hornaday Jr., Noah Gragson, Mike Chase, Bill Sedgwick, Butch Gilliland and Derek Kraus.

Last year’s West Series event at Tucson was the first time the division had visited the facility since a same-day doubleheader in 2019. This year’s field features plenty of returning faces along with several new drivers, all of whom seek to build some early-season momentum at one of the region’s most cherished tracks.

Tickets for the Tucson ARCA Menards West 150 at Tucson Speedway can be purchased here. Below is everything to know ahead of Saturday evening’s race.

Tucson ARCA Menards West 150 at Tucson Speedway

Central Coast Racing controlled the West Series’ return to Tucson Speedway in 2025. Tanner Reif executed a perfect tire conservation strategy to steal the win late, all while team owner Todd Souza led the most laps on the night with 53.

For Saturday’s race at Tucson, Central Coast Racing is enlisting the help of highly touted Toyota development driver Jade Avedisian to defend their victory. This is not the first time Avedisian has driven Central Coast Racing’s No. 13, as she previously competed with them at Phoenix Raceway to close out the 2025 season.

Eric Johnson Jr. will be among the drivers Avedisian and Central Coast Racing will need to fend off if they wish to visit Tucson’s Victory Lane on Saturday. Tucson was the site of Johnson’s best performance in 2025, as he led 30 laps that evening but narrowly lost out on his first career victory in a heated battle between Reif and Jake Bollman.

No West Series owner has more victories at Tucson than Bill McAnally, who nearly got his fifth there in 2025 with Bollman piloting his No. 19 Chevrolet. McAnally’s pursuit of another Tucson win on Saturday will see him rely on his two full-time drivers in Hailie Deegan and Mason Massey, the latter of whom won the season-opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

Other drivers entered at Tucson Speedway this weekend include Trevor Huddleston, Robbie Kennealy, Gavin Ray, Mia Lovell, Cole Denton and Will Robinson.

The complete entry list for the Tucson ARCA Menards West 150 can be viewed here.

RACING REFERENCE:

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

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: Field limited to 22 starters, plus provisionals. This event will be run under the 2026 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Two consecutive laps, single car qualifying. No adjustments or repairs may be made on car after taking the green flag. All cars must make a qualifying attempt; all drivers must practice before they can qualify (EIRI).

RACE PIT STOP: Pitting during any caution during this event will be for repairs or adjustments only. No tires can be changed unless damaged and approved by ARCA officials. Positions may not be lost or gained among those pitting on the same lap unless 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).