Mason Massey captured a memorable victory in his ARCA Menards Series West debut at Kevin Harvick Kern Raceway, outpacing former champions and emerging triumphant in a dramatic overtime finish. The win marked a significant moment for Massey and Bill McAnally Racing, punctuating a night filled with tense restarts and strong competition among a field of dedicated regulars.
Massey Claims First Win Amidst Intense Competition at Kern Raceway
In his first ARCA West Series appearance, Massey showcased confidence early, having led practice and maintained belief in the capability of his Bill McAnally Racing car. Though Sean Hingorani, a former ARCA West Series Champion, dominated much of the race by leading the majority of laps, Massey methodically advanced through the field. The turning point occurred after the scheduled halfway break, when a restart allowed Massey to take control of the lead.
With only six laps remaining, a caution set up a crucial restart. Massey managed to defend his top spot from challenges by Hingorani, while Taylor Mayhew surged into second position. The race intensified on the penultimate lap when Julian DaCosta and Mia Lovell, both representing Nitro Motorsports, tangled, triggering overtime.
During the overtime period, a restart featuring Mayhew and Massey came under review after speculation Mayhew might have jumped the start. Before the matter could be resolved under green flag conditions, a further caution was brought out by Mayhew’s teammate Jaiden Reyna, leading to a double-overtime scenario. As the race resumed, Mayhew spun his tires, allowing Eric Nascimento to move into second place and clearing the path for Massey to secure a hard-fought debut win.
“MASON GETS IT DONE IN THE SEASON OPENER. pic.twitter.com/XPRQZ5uUpd”
—Bill McAnally Racing (@BMR_NASCAR)
Notable Performances and Shifting Momentum Among ARCA West Regulars
Mayhew ultimately earned a third-place result—an impressive achievement considering he began the race at the back of the field due to pre-race adjustments. Previous Kern Raceway winners Trevor Huddleston and Sean Hingorani completed the top five, highlighting the strong showing from ARCA West regulars.
The event opened with Jade Avedisian starting from pole position, but she was quickly overtaken by Hingorani, who asserted control at the front as the green flag dropped. Massey diligently worked his way into second place, while Avedisian settled back to third. The first significant incident emerged when Andrew Chapman triggered a yellow flag 36 laps into the contest, providing a chance for shuffling among the leaders following the subsequent restart, which saw Huddleston overtake Massey for second.
As the race unfolded, mechanical trouble for Robbie Kennealy created another caution with 91 laps remaining, and Hingorani stretched his advantage while Joey Iest and Huddleston fought for position behind him. Mia Lovell would later bring out a yellow with 76 laps to go, ushering in the scheduled halfway break and giving teams an opportunity to regroup.
“Halfway at @KernRaceway and Sean Hingorani is in the lead! 📺 @floracing pic.twitter.com/KJ9Fd5sUa0”
—ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing)
While Hingorani appeared to have the dominant car, Massey’s car exhibited impressive speed over long runs, setting up the late-race comeback and signaling a potential shift in the ARCA West landscape. Huddleston and Hingorani, previous Kern Raceway winners in 2025 and 2024 respectively, were overtaken in a battle that underscored the depth of talent in the series and highlighted Massey’s arrival among its contenders.
What Lies Ahead for the ARCA West Series and Kern Raceway’s Standouts
With the dust settling from a race defined by tight competition and strategic restarts at Kevin Harvick Kern Raceway, focus now turns toward the ARCA Menards Series West’s next event: the combination race at Phoenix Raceway on March 5. Teams and drivers, including recent frontrunners Massey, Hingorani, Mayhew, Huddleston, and others, will look to carry their momentum forward. The evolving dynamic among the regulars suggests that the remaining season could offer more surprises and standout performances as new contenders emerge and former victors vie to reclaim the spotlight.
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
