PIT BOX: ARCA Menards Series West drivers head to Sonoma for first road course of 2026

Only two road-course events are on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West schedule. Friday afternoon will see drivers tackle the first one: Sonoma Raceway (3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET on FloRacing and the NASCAR Channel).

Nestled in the middle of California’s wine country, Sonoma holds a unique distinction in the history of the West Series. From 1989-97, the West Series participated in combination events at Sonoma alongside the NASCAR Cup Series, providing the series regulars a chance to showcase their talent against stock car racing’s elite.

After the combination events ended, Sonoma found new life on the West Series schedule as a standalone event, a role that has been ongoing nearly every year since 2006. These races historically still attract many of NASCAR’s top drivers, an additional challenge for the West Series regulars aside from Sonoma’s taxing layout.

Friday being a support race for both the Cup Series and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series means there is plenty of incentive for West Series regulars to excel on track. For some, Sonoma is a chance to build on momentum accumulated this year. For others, winning at Sonoma could be crucial toward progressing through the developmental ladder.

Tickets to the General Tire 150 at Sonoma Raceway can be purchased here. Below is everything to know ahead of the seventh race of the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West season.

General Tire 150 at Sonoma Raceway

For a moment in last year’s General Tire 150, it appeared Bill McAnally Racing was finally going to earn the team’s first Sonoma Raceway victory in the ARCA Menards Series West.

Contact between William Sawalich and Alon Day to commence a one-lap shootout enabled Christian Eckes to take the lead in McAnally’s No. 19 Chevrolet. Sawalich quickly chased Eckes back down, ultimately taking the victory following a bump-and-run on Eckes in the final corner.

No JGR entry in Friday’s race puts McAnally in an optimal position to prevail at Sonoma for the first time with two drivers in Hailie Deegan and Mason Massey. Deegan won a West Series pole at Sonoma in 2019 and has two top 10s there in 10 starts, while Massey hopes to add another West Series victory for McAnally in his first trip to Sonoma.

Among those standing in the way of McAnally’s maiden Sonoma West Series victory is Andrew Ranger, the only previous winner at the track entered in Friday’s event. Ranger is driving for the same car owner from his 2010 triumph in Robert Torriere, with the duo fresh off a seventh-place in their formal return at Watkins Glen International in May.

West Series championship leader Trevor Huddleston boasts a 24-point advantage heading into the first road-course race of the year. Sonoma has not been one of Huddleston’s best tracks during his West Series career, but he did score his first top five there last season, a mark he looks to improve upon this weekend.

Other names set to make the trip to Sonoma this weekend include Sam Corry, Todd Souza, Patrick Staropoli, Taylor Mayhew, Sage Karam and Jeff Anton.

The complete entry list for the General Tire 150 will be released later this week.

RACING REFERENCE:

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

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: Field limited to 32 starters, plus provisionals (EIRI). This event will be run under the 2026 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Starting position will be set by each car’s fastest recorded lap per the Timed Session qualifying procedure. No adjustments or repairs may be made on car after leaving pit stall. All cars must make a qualifying attempt; all drivers must practice before they can qualify (EIRI).

RACE PIT STOP: Modified Live pitting procedure, with the following two exceptions: Fuel may not be added prior to the completion of lap 20; Tire changes for emergency use only, any change must be approved by ARCA. There will be a Scheduled Caution at or near lap 24.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum tire usage for this event (purchased plus from-home tires) is (8).