Mason Massey ARCA West victory headlines a thrilling opening round at Kern Raceway, as Massey clinched his maiden win in a suspenseful ARCA Menards Series West season debut on March 1, 2026. With an intense finish, the race introduced tough competition among both seasoned champions and up-and-coming drivers, setting the tone for the year ahead.
Massey Triumphs in Action-Packed Debut Race
Taking the wheel for Bill McAnally Racing, Mason Massey quickly demonstrated his skill by leading practice, though the early phase of the race saw Sean Hingorani, a former series champion, controlling the pace. Hingorani set the standard by remaining out front throughout much of the initial green-flag laps, asserting dominance as the laps ticked by. However, after a restart following the scheduled halfway break, Massey seized an opportunity to take the lead from Hingorani, capitalizing on his car’s strong performance and smart race strategy.
The closing stage of the race delivered heightened drama. With just six laps remaining, a caution flag bunched up the field. Massey defended his lead against Hingorani, while Taylor Mayhew surged into second place. As the final lap approached, Julian DaCosta and his Nitro Motorsports teammate Mia Lovell collided, triggering an overtime finish and ratcheting up the tension even further. The resulting restart saw Mayhew line up alongside Massey, but that attempt came under review due to a potential jump by Mayhew. Before the race could conclude, another yellow was brought out by Mayhew’s teammate Jaiden Reyna, pushing the event to a second overtime restart.
“MASON GETS IT DONE IN THE SEASON OPENER. pic.twitter.com/XPRQZ5uUpd”— Bill McAnally Racing (@BMR_NASCAR)
During the final double-overtime attempt, Mayhew lost traction, allowing Eric Nascimento to snatch second place, while Massey charged ahead to secure a definitive and dramatic victory.
Early Leaders and Key Moments Shape the Field
Taylor Mayhew ultimately crossed the line in third, marking a solid comeback after starting at the rear due to pre-race adjustments. Rounding out the top five were Trevor Huddleston, a previous double winner at Kern Raceway in 2025, and Sean Hingorani. Jade Avedisian, who began on pole, dropped to third as Hingorani made a strong start to capture the early lead. Massey methodically navigated traffic to claim second, leaving Avedisian to slip back.
The tightly contested field saw its share of cautions. Andrew Chapman contributed to the first major yellow at lap 36, briefly disrupting the rhythm before Huddleston succeeded in slipping past Massey for position. Another key moment came when Robbie Kennealy slowed and brought out a caution with 91 laps remaining, sparking another restart that saw Joey Iest and Huddleston battling fiercely for a podium spot. Hingorani used the ensuing green-flag stint to extend his lead out front.
Mia Lovell was responsible for the next yellow as the race approached its halfway point, prompting the scheduled race break. At that point, Hingorani remained in control, continuing his strong form at Kern.
“Halfway at @KernRaceway and Sean Hingorani is in the lead! 📺 @floracing pic.twitter.com/KJ9Fd5sUa0″— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing)
As the story of the race unfolded, Hingorani’s consistent pace was eventually overcome by Massey’s resilience and superior long-run performance, setting up a fresh chapter at Kern as new names appeared on top.
Implications for the ARCA West Field and Upcoming Rounds
Mason Massey’s victory marks a significant shift in the ARCA West Series, as he outdueled highway regulars and former winners Trevor Huddleston and Sean Hingorani in a race defined by late-race restarts and changing leaders. Established names like Jade Avedisian and newcomers such as Taylor Mayhew and Eric Nascimento made their presence felt, signaling a highly competitive season ahead. With important teams like Nitro Motorsports and Bill McAnally Racing in the mix, changes at the top seem likely as the championship progresses.
The ARCA Menards Series West will continue its campaign at Phoenix Raceway on March 5, where the series will combine with the national ARCA Menards Series. Fans can tune in for comprehensive coverage on FS1 starting at 6 p.m. ET as the evolving storylines and rivalries continue to take shape.
MASON GETS IT DONE IN THE SEASON OPENER. pic.twitter.com/XPRQZ5uUpd
— Bill McAnally Racing (@BMR_NASCAR) March 1, 2026
Halfway at @KernRaceway and Sean Hingorani is in the lead!
📺 @floracing pic.twitter.com/KJ9Fd5sUa0
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 1, 2026
