Kicking It With Cacti, Previewing The General Tire 150 At Phoenix Raceway

After what can only be described as one of the latest nights I’ve had covering the ARCA Menards Series, teams now travel west to continue their year and help kick off the 2024 ARCA Menards Series West season at Phoenix Raceway.

This Friday’s General Tire 150 marks the fifth time that the ARCA Menards Series has hit the mile oval, while it is the 52nd for the West Series.

Former winners include Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Alan Kulwicki, Bobby Hamilton, Kenny Schrader, David Gilliland, Ty Gibbs, Taylor Gray, and last year’s winners Tyler Reif and William Sawalich.

Henderson, NV native Reif will look to strike once again in March after pulling off the upset last spring and taking home his first career win in the ARCA series with Lowden-Jackson Motorsports. After a mid-season change last year, he’ll look to do the same with Central Coast Racing’s No. 13, formerly piloted by ARCA Menards Series West legend Todd Souza.

After a great 2023 season, Tyler Reif is ready to get back to work in 2024, this time with @cencoastracing full-time in the @ARCA_Racing Series West.

MORE: https://t.co/Qlpmcp0enP

— Ben Branscum (The New/Real One) (@benbranscum) February 2, 2024

Fellow former winner at Phoenix, William Sawalich, will look to play spoil for Reif’s return.

The Eden Prarie, MN native was dominant in both races last season but got caught up in a wreck in the spring. He was able to find redemption in that fall, leading 93 of the 100 laps en route to his first win in the west.

Returning to the series since their owner’s title in 2023, Cook Racing Technologies is bringing some changes, including new driver Marco Andretti for his second career start in the ARCA Menards Series platform. The Nazareth, PA driver came home 25th after a wreck early on at Daytona.

As for last year’s West Series driver champion, Sean Hingorani has a new hope. The Champ now finds himself driving for Hattori Racing Enterprises piloting the No. 61 for several races across the ARCA platform. It’s unclear as of now if he’ll be attempting to defend his title, but he and the team will be ready to duel in the desert.

The @ARCA_Racing West champ has found a new home at @HattoriRacing. The No. 61 debuts @phoenixraceway https://t.co/3IqWZ3gbtM

— Ben Branscum (The New/Real One) (@benbranscum) February 29, 2024

Venturini Motorsports also looks to continue their team success after winning the season opener with Gus Dean. Full-time drivers Kris Wright, Toni Breidinger, and Amber Balcaen all look to rebound after a tough season opener. Joining them in making her ARCA platform debut is Isabella Robusto in the No. 55 for VMS.

Other notable faces kicking off the West Series include Danica Dart, Jack Wood, Eric Johnson Jr, Trevor Huddleston, and several others. Joining them from the ARCA Menards Series include Greg Van Alst and teammate Isaac Johnson, Andy Jankowiak, Caleb Coster, Christian Rose, and several others.

You can catch the General Tire 150 live from Phoenix Raceway on FS1 on Friday at 8 PM E.T.

Official Entry List for the General Tire 150