Hailie Deegan wins rain-shortened West Series finale at Kern, Trevor Huddleston clinches second consecutive title

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Hailie Deegan was declared the winner of Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series West finale at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway after persistent rain brought the event to a premature end.

Trevor Huddleston finished fifth and secured his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series West championship.

A persistent line of rain showers settled in over Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway at the 42^nd lap of the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame. The inclement weather showed no signs of slowing down, forcing ARCA Menards Series officials to call the race early.

Per ARCA Rulebook 9-13-2.C, the ARCA Menards Series may deem a race official prior to the halfway point if all reasonable attempts to conclude the advertised distance have been exhausted and restarting the race is impractical. The decision to was made in conjunction with Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway officials and broadcast partners.

“I was mad at qualifying,” Deegan said. “We [missed] qualifying on the pole by .007. I was questioning myself, but we were able to get the lead quick and checked out from there. I had a really good car, felt like I wasn’t using up too much tire. I wish we could have got more laps in. I was having a blast out there, but we’ll take it.”

After starting on the outside pole of Saturday’s race, Deegan overtook polesitter Mia Lovell on the opening lap. Lovell challenged Deegan during the lone restart of the evening, but her momentum was halted by an incident involving Sam Corry and Joey Iest.

The rain moved in a couple of minutes later, enabling Deegan to enjoy a soggy but rewarding victory to cap off her 2026 campaign, which saw her win twice across the last four events.

Huddleston had plenty of reasons to celebrate on a wet Saturday evening. Another standout West Series campaign, which saw Huddleston score two victories and 10 top fives, culminated with his second championship in as many years.

The moment was even more special for Huddleston since the celebration came at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, the facility his parents Tim and Lisa Huddleston own and operate. Huddleston’s second West Series title also ties him on the all-time list alongside names like Brendan Gaughan, Derek Thorn, Jesse Love and Sean Hingorani, among others.

“Winning the first one was epic, winning the second one was even more special,” Huddleston said. “We’re the little team that could. I never had a doubt in my mind that we could get it done. Everyone here is everyone from last year. We had no intentions of stopping and it’s pretty epic to be here in Victory Lane to be a champion and to do it with my family.”

Hudson Sharp scored a third place finish in his West Series debut with Nitro Motorsports. Taylor Mayhew finished fourth with Huddleston concluding his title campaign in fifth.

Robbie Kennealy, Cole Denton, Tanner Huddleston, Mason Massey and Vito Cancilla were sixth through 10th, respectively.

With the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West season now complete, teams will use the winter to regroup before next year’s opener. Additional details about the 2027 ARCA Menards Series West schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.