Cole Denton revels in his first ARCA West Sequence victory at Tucson Speedway on Saturday night time within the Tucson ARCA Menards West 150.
TUCSON, Ariz. — Though Cole Denton had by no means competed at Tucson Speedway earlier than Saturday’s ARCA Menards Sequence West race, he dealt with the weekend with a veteran’s poise.
Cole Denton: First Victory
With tire conservation being on the forefront of the technique, Denton was tasked with sustaining his monitor place from the pole whereas guaranteeing his automotive could be quick sufficient for the closing levels. Endurance and completely timed cautions performed into Denton’s favor, who scored a cushty, maiden West Sequence victory Saturday night.
Denton discovered himself in disbelief over a race going that completely so early into his West Sequence profession. The dynamic components prevalent at Tucson stored Denton vigilant all night, however he attributed the triumphant final result to the profitable tradition being constructed at Jan’s Racing.
“[I needed] as many laps as I may get,” Denton stated. “[Jan’s Racing] has executed a terrific job teaching me, and my driver coach Robbie Kennealy has executed a terrific job. I can’t imagine this. It’s so superior.”
A local of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Denton primarily competed in Legends and Bandoleros throughout the southeast till his household received related with Madera Speedway proprietor Kenny Shepherd. It was by Madera’s Jr. Late Mannequin Sequence that Denton turned his first laps in a full-bodied inventory automotive.
The outcomes Denton put collectively at Madera ultimately led to him becoming a member of Jan’s Racing for all the 2026 West Sequence season. Though his information of inventory automobiles was restricted, Denton was desirous to lean on Jan’s Racing proprietor Jan Qualkenbush and his teammate Robbie Kennealy for recommendation on how you can excel within the self-discipline.
Three races into his partnership with Jan’s Racing, Denton is now a West Sequence winner.
‘Denton’s Race Recap
Reaching that milestone in Tucson required Denton to rapidly establish the necessities wanted to be environment friendly across the half-mile oval. Saving tires was just one a part of that equation for Denton, as he initially had no thought how Tucson would race with greater than a dozen different automobiles sharing the monitor with him.
As soon as he turned his first laps round Tucson, a way of familiarity overcame Denton, which gave him all the arrogance he wanted to set his personal cadence.
“There’s a monitor I raced at again dwelling on the East Coast [called] Lanier Raceplex,” Denton stated. “It’s a lot like [Tucson], you not far away, you’re turning all the time. This monitor is so enjoyable, and the lanes are wonderful. I like it.”
As a part of the technique, Denton was pressured to give up the lead on a few a unique events however by no means dropped out of the highest 5. That was in stark distinction to lots of his fellow rivals that elected to drop to the rear of the sphere and save tires earlier than making a cost to the entrance late.
Reigning West Sequence champion Trevor Huddleston fell within the latter class, patiently biding his time earlier than utilizing his superior tires to choose off the automobiles in entrance of him. Huddleston ran out of laps to mount a correct problem on Denton for the lead, however he was greater than glad to help his title protection with a runner-up end.
“Final 12 months taught me you can’t win all of them, and also you don’t should win all of them,” Huddleston stated. “It is a win for us. We got here out right here with a plan and caught to it. We had been just a bit bit quick. Cole nailed it, [so] congratulations to him. I’m nonetheless proud of a P2. All in all, a terrific weekend.”
Eric Johnson Jr. completed third behind Denton and Huddleston, with the remainder of the highest 5 consisting of Kennealy and rookie Gavin Ray.
Eric Rhead, Hailie Deegan, Mia Lovell, Memphis Villarreal, and Julian DaCosta rounded out the highest ten.
If Saturday is any indication, Denton may problem Huddleston for the West Sequence championship all the way in which till the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
There are lots of components concerning the ARCA Menards Sequence platform Denton remains to be studying, as his three races at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Phoenix, and Tucson have all required a singular method. But Denton has conquered these hurdles and located his strategy to Victory Lane in solely his third begin, a much-needed jolt for his rookie West Sequence marketing campaign.
Denton shouldn’t be positive what obstacles lie forward, however when that subsequent victory comes, he hopes it includes extra throttle time and fewer emphasis on tire conservation.
“That race was sort of boring till the final 30 laps,” Denton stated. “It felt like we had been going beneath warning pace [before then].”
Up Subsequent
The subsequent race for the ARCA Menards Sequence West is not going to happen till subsequent month, with a go to to Shasta Speedway in California. The inexperienced flag will wave at 8:30 p.m. PT/11:30 p.m. ET on Might 2 with FloRacing offering dwell flag-to-flag protection.
Interviews on Fan4Racing Radio on YouTube
Cole Denton Interview
Robbie Kennealy Interview
Jan Qualkenbusch Interview (2025)
