Robbie Kennealy scores an emotional first ARCA West Sequence victory at All American Speedway on Saturday night time within the NAPA Auto Components 150.
ROSEVILLE, Calif. – The ARCA Menards Sequence West’s go to to All American Speedway was all the time going to be emotional for Robbie Kennealy.
Kennealy Scores an Emotional Victory
Each race on the calendar inches nearer to the one-year anniversary of when Kennealy’s father Gary out of the blue handed away because of a coronary heart assault. Gary’s demise was a devastating loss for the complete Kennealy household, however each of his sons, Robbie and Joey, have accomplished all the things doable to proceed competing in honor of their father.
On Saturday night, Gary’s eldest son Robbie put collectively the perfect race of his younger profession by incomes the Common Tire Pole Award and heading off West Sequence factors chief Trevor Huddleston to attain his maiden West Sequence victory. Kennealy couldn’t assist however be tearful as he climbed out of his No. 1 Jan’s Towing Ford, figuring out his dad was with him in spirit by all 150 laps.
“[It was] one yr in the past throughout this actual race [at All American] when my dad out of the blue handed away,” Kennealy stated. “One yr later, we win one of many largest races ever. That’s for you dad.”
Household has all the time been rooted in Kennealy’s id as a competitor, as he initially entered the West Sequence in 2023 together with his family-owned operation.
A partnership with fellow competitor Kyle Keller enabled Kennealy and his household to sort out an expanded West Sequence schedule final yr. The part-time marketing campaign featured loads of rising pains for Kennealy, all of which served as invaluable perception in the direction of constructing a stable basis on the platform.
Kennealy must embark on that journey with out his father and with a special crew, as he and Keller joined Jan Qualkenbush’s operation for 2025. The 2 instantly began placing collectively stable ends in Qualkenbush’s tools, with Kennealy not recording a end exterior the highest ten till Sonoma Raceway.
Keller broke by for his first victory at Tri-Metropolis Raceway in August. With the consistency he displayed all season lengthy, it was solely a matter of time earlier than Kennealy obtained his.
For Kennealy to seek out Victory Lane, he needed to maintain off Huddleston, who utilized relentless stress to Kennealy all through Saturday’s race, however it was not sufficient for him to overhaul Kennealy within the closing laps.
Regardless of arising in need of his third West Sequence victory of 2025, Huddleston nonetheless discovered lots to cherish after his sturdy run at All American.
“We gained a pair factors,” Huddleston stated. “Congrats to Robbie. I gave all of it I had, and he was the dominant automotive. The one approach I used to be going to get by him is that if I fully dumped him. I do know he wouldn’t race me like that, so I’ll take the wins once I can.”
With Kennealy’s triumph at All-American, Qualkenbush’s crew has now gained two of the final three West Sequence occasions.
The previous yr has been some of the troublesome of Kennealy’s life, however his father Gary, stays a supply of motivation and inspiration. By adversity and dedication, Kennealy discovered himself in Victory Lane Saturday, persevering with a ardour instilled into him by his father.
“That is all due to my Jan’s Towing Racing crew,” Kennealy stated. “With out Jan Qualkenbush giving me and Kyle Keller this chance, we wouldn’t even be standing right here proper now. I drove all 150 laps the toughest I’ve in my life. I’ve been dreaming of one thing like this since I used to be a little bit child.
“I do know my dad is watching from above proper now.”
Huddleston’s teammate, Andrew Chapman, got here residence third. Rounding out the highest 5 had been Joey Iest and Eric Johnson Jr.
Trevor Huddleston remains to be the sequence factors chief, up by 12 factors over second-place driver Kyle Keller. Tyler Reif is -26 factors in third place. Robbie Kenneally strikes into fourth place, -34 factors. And Eric Johnson Jr. is fifth, -37 factors.
Subsequent Up
The subsequent race up for the ARCA Menards Sequence West will happen at Madera Speedway on Sept. 27. The inexperienced flag is about to wave at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET, with FloRacing offering protection of all of the on-track motion.
