Cole Denton prevails for ARCA West Collection triumph at Tri Metropolis Raceway on Saturday evening within the NAPA Auto Components 150 Greg Biffle Memorial.
WEST RICHLAND, Wash. — In each of his ARCA Menards Collection West victories this season, Cole Denton began from the highest spot.
Cole Denton Triumph at Tri Metropolis
That consistency has garnered the Pascagoula, Mississippi native a burgeoning nickname: “Pole Denton.” In his conquest of Tri-Metropolis Raceway for Saturday’s NAPA Auto Care 150 Greg Biffle Memorial, Denton posted the quickest lap in Saturday’s apply session earlier than setting the West Collection observe file in qualifying with a time of 18.578 seconds.
Denton wanted to fend off West Collection factors chief Trevor Huddleston to earn his second profession victory, however he did so by being stalwart by way of a number of restarts. On condition that he had by no means turned a aggressive lap round Tri-Metropolis previous to Saturday, Denton admitted he impressed himself by how shortly he tailored to the observe.
“Each observe we’ve been to this 12 months has been a brand new observe for me,” Denton stated. “[This is] my first time ever on a tri-oval. I like this observe. Flip one, flip two and switch three, they’re all totally different and it’s so superior.”
The 2 West Collection victories Denton now has on his rising resumé every carry its personal distinctive distinction.
Whereas Denton was tasked with determining Tri-Metropolis’s distinctive format, his first win at Tucson Speedway in April required a unique ability: tire conservation. Qualifying on pole gave Denton the early benefit, however he wanted to train persistence to keep up his observe place and cycle again into the highest spot throughout the closing phases.
Tire saving was not wanted for Denton at Tri-Metropolis, however he confronted fixed strain from Huddleston all night. Denton misplaced the lead on the preliminary begin to Huddleston, who used the highest groove to energy his means across the 15-year-old prospect, just for Denton to return the favor in the very same method on a subsequent restart.
Huddleston finally discovered a rhythm and took management of the race, however Denton patiently waited for the following probability to reclaim the highest spot. By completely timing the penultimate restart of the evening, Denton surged forward of Huddleston with out drawing a penalty and ended up holding the lead till taking the checkered flag.
The most effective end Huddleston had tallied at Tri-Metropolis in two earlier West Collection begins was a fifth in final 12 months’s occasion. Whereas he would have cherished to earn his third consecutive West Collection victory of 2026, Huddleston was pleased with his efficiency Saturday. He additionally made certain to commend the poise Denton displayed behind the wheel.
“This has been a tricky observe for us,” Huddleston stated. “A second place we’re tremendous pleased with. The crew labored actually laborious, and Cole [Denton] did an exceptional job. This can be a robust observe, and he nailed each lap, and he did an superior job. I like racing in ARCA; I like racing with this crew, and it’s fairly cool to come back out right here and do it for the Biff.”
Mia Lovell loved the very best race of her temporary West Collection profession to this point, as she completed third within the No. 15 Toyota for Nitro Motorsports. Robbie Kennealy got here house in fourth, with Mason Massey rounding out the highest 5.
Jan’ Racing Success
By warding off Huddleston, Denton continued a streak of success for Jan’s Racing at Tri-Metropolis. This system discovered Victory Lane on the venue final 12 months with Kyle Keller, who bested Jake Bollman on the ultimate restart for his lone West Collection checkered flag so far.
Denton was ecstatic to ship one other checkered flag for his crew proprietor Jan Qualkenbush, particularly in a race that honored one of many West Coast’s best rivals in Biffle. The training curve has been a problem at occasions for Denton in 2026, however he’s grateful for all the recommendation Jan’s Racing continues to supply.
Now with two poles and two victories to match, Denton seems to be ahead to discovering extra success with Jan’s Racing so he can proceed embodying the Pole Denton moniker.
“Jan’s Racing [had] three vehicles tonight, so a terrific turnout on our crew,” Denton stated. “Mr. Chris Greaney, my crew chief, he gave me a rocket ship tonight, and we drove this factor to Victory Lane.”
Trevor Huddleston holds a 24-point benefit over Mason Massey in second place. Cole Denton sits in third place down 39 factors from the chief. Robbie Kennealy and Hailie Deegan spherical out the highest 5.
Up Subsequent
The following race for the ARCA Menards Collection West is the primary of two road-course occasions on the 2026 calendar: Sonoma Raceway. The inexperienced flag for the Basic Tire 150 will wave at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET on June 26 with FloRacing set to supply stay protection.
