ARCA Phoenix Preview: Championship Battle Heats Up in the Desert

The ARCA Menards Series West heads to Phoenix Raceway this Saturday for the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100, with championship points and season momentum on the line as the series enters the final two races of 2026.

The 100 lap event is scheduled for October 17 at 11 p.m. Eastern, with live coverage available on FloRacing. Phoenix’s one-mile oval will challenge drivers with its changing racing lines, tight corners and opportunities to make aggressive moves on restarts.

Trevor Huddleston Looks to Protect His Lead

Trevor Huddleston enters the penultimate race of the season holding a 40 point advantage over Robbie Kennealy in the championship standings. With only two races remaining, Huddleston has an opportunity to strengthen his position before the season finale.

Huddleston finished fourth at Phoenix in March, giving him a promising foundation heading into Saturday’s race. Kennealy also has experience at the track, having recorded three consecutive top-10 finishes at Phoenix, including a sixth-place result in this event last year.

Kennealy will need a strong performance to close the championship gap, making every position especially important throughout the 100 laps.

Max Reaves and Carson Brown Add Intrigue

Although the West Series regulars will be focused on the championship, several outside competitors could influence the outcome.

Max Reaves returns with Joe Gibbs Racing, while Pinnacle Racing Group brings Helio Meza and Taylor Reimer to Phoenix. Meza arrives after earning a pole in his ARCA Menards Series West debut at Las Vegas, giving him momentum heading into another major opportunity.

Carson Brown also has a strong history at Phoenix. He won the ARCA Menards Series race at the track in March, leading all 157 laps from the pole. This weekend’s West Series race provides another opportunity for the young driver to demonstrate his speed on the one-mile oval.

What to Watch on Saturday

Restarts, tire management and track position could determine the winner. Phoenix’s frontstretch dogleg also creates passing opportunities, particularly when drivers are willing to make decisive moves into the corners.

With Huddleston protecting his championship lead and Kennealy trying to close the gap, the stakes will be high from the opening lap.

The Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 offers the ARCA Menards Series West another important chapter in its 2026 season, and the championship battle could become even tighter before the series reaches its finale.