ARCA Menards Series West

The ARCA Menards Series West, formerly the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, NASCAR Autozone West Series, NASCAR Winston West Series and NASCAR Camping World West Series, is a regional stock car racing series owned and operated by the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series was first formed in 1954 as a proving ground for drivers from the western United States who could not travel to race in the more traditional stock car racing regions like North Carolina and the rest of the southern United States.

ARCA Menards Series West
CategoryStock cars
CountryWestern United States
Inaugural season1954
ManufacturersChevrolet · Ford · Toyota
Tire suppliersGeneral Tire
Drivers' championJesse Love
Teams' championBill McAnally Racing
Makes' championToyota
Official websiteARCA Racing
Current season

In 1954, the series was formed under the name Pacific Coast Late Model circuit, with nine races on the schedule. At first the series sanctioned races on dirt tracks and paved tracks, but as the series developed, more races were held on paved tracks, with the final race on a dirt track being held in 1979 until the series returned to dirt in 2018. In 1988, the series traveled out of the United States for the first time, sanctioning a race in Australia. Eight years later, the series once again traveled outside the United States to Japan. In 1999, the season finale was held at Twin Ring Motegi, making it the first NASCAR championship race held in a different country. Four years later, NASCAR consolidated the Busch North Series into the series.

Jack McCoy has the most career wins in the series with 54, followed by Ray Elder with 47. Elder, however, has recorded six championships, the most out of any driver in the series. Other notable drivers who participated in the series include Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, Derrike Cope, Chad Little and David Gilliland.

The other regional division at the Grand National level of ARCA is the Menards Series East.

History
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick in the then-Winston West Series in 1997.
Restart from caution, 2011 Utah Grand Prix

The Menards Series West began in 1954 as the Pacific Coast Late Model circuit. Nine races were in held in the first year, many of which were held in California, in cities such as Oakland, San Diego, San Mateo and Gardena.[1][2] The inaugural series championship was won by Lloyd Dane driving a 1953 Hudson Hornet.[3]

Afterward, the series became known as the Grand National West Series, then the Winston Grand National West Series. In the beginning the series also raced on dirt ovals, but as the series developed began to race only on paved tracks, with the last race held on a dirt oval until 2018 being in 1979.[1]

Though the series primarily sanctions races in the United States, the series has also traveled to Australia in 1988 and Japan from 1996 to 1998 for exhibition races. The series became the first series to sanction a championship race outside the United States in 1999, when the final race was held at Twin Ring Motegi. In 2003, the Busch North Series was consolidated into the series forming the modern day series.[1] For the 2008 season, Camping World bought naming rights of the series, renaming it the Camping World West Series.[4] Two years later, K&N Engineering, Inc. replaced Camping World as the title sponsor.[5]

A total of 110 different drivers have scored wins in the series with Jack McCoy having the most with 54, followed by Ray Elder who has 47 wins.[6] Elder has scored the most championships with six, while Bill Schmitt and Roy Smith each have four.[1]

The series has also had several notable NASCAR drivers throughout the years, including Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, Derrike Cope, Chad Little and David Gilliland.[7]

In 2020, the series will become part of the ARCA Menards Series banner and renamed to the ARCA Menards Series West.[8]

ARCA Menards Series cars

General

As part of NASCAR's unification of the two Camping World Series in 2003, the cars can be either a 105-inch (2,700 mm, which had been used in the former Busch Grand National East) or 110-inch (2,800 mm, which had been used in the former Winston West) wheelbase. Cambered/off-set rear ends are not allowed.

Jim Inglebright competing in the 2015 Carneros 200 in a Chevrolet SS

The car bodies are typically a hand-built steel body, however teams may also use a one-piece composite body. The composite body is a "common" item that may be run as any manufacturer branded car (i.e. only one style of composite body for all four car manufacturers [Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota]). Teams then "brand" the composite body by the grill opening, quarter window openings and the vehicle decal package (head lights, tail lights, etc.). Due to the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, many of the vehicles on the series are old Sprint Cup cars. Another popular way to get a complete body is to buy a "cut-off" body from a Nationwide series team and mount it on a chassis.

Teams have an option of building their own engines or they may run a specification engine, similar to what is used in many short tracks. Both engines are V8, pushrod, 12:1 compression motors. "Built" motors are built to team specifications using any configuration of pieces as long as it still meets NASCAR specifications. The spec engine is built using NASCAR-Approved pieces that may be purchased from an approved supplier. The engines may be purchased as a kit or pre-assembled. All of the spec pieces are individually encrypted with a barcode for verification and tracking purposes and can be checked during the inspection process with an encryption reader.

When the series first started, the cars ran a V6 engine with a maximum 274 cu in (4,490 cm3) displacement and no compression limit . In the early/mid 1990s the V8 engine with a 9.5:1 compression and maximum 358 cu in (5,870 cm3) displacement was introduced to the series as an alternative to the V6 engines. Due to the decrease in popularity of the V6, it was phased out for the 1999 season. When the East and West series rules were combined, the compression ratio changed to 12:1.

Cars may use leaded or unleaded fuel. However, when running in conjunction with one of the three national touring (Truck, Xfinity, Cup) series, unleaded fuel must be used.

A Gen-4 Chevrolet Impala (left) and Gen-6 Chevrolet SS at Sonoma Raceway in 2015.

On November 4, 2014 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NASCAR president Mike Helton unveiled a new body style for the K&N Pro Series based on the Sprint Cup Series Gen 6 models. The new body, developed with Five Star Race Car Bodies, is constructed of a composite laminate blend and designed with easily replaceable body panels, expected to shrink the costs of fabrication dramatically. The body style is eligible for use in both Menards Series competition and ARCA Racing Series competition, replacing the old Gen 4-style steel bodies after 2015, and the current one-piece composite body after 2016. The Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry bodies used in Sprint Cup are the basis of the new bodies. No Dodge option is available with this car.[9]

Along with all of ARCA and NASCAR's international series, the Menards Series have General Tire as their exclusive tire supplier.[10]

Specifications
  • Engine displacement: 358 cu in (5.8 L) Pushrod V8.
  • Transmission: 4 speed Manual.
  • Weight: 3,300 lb (1,497 kg) Minimum (without driver).
  • Power output: ~650 hp (485 kW) unrestricted.
  • Fuel: Sunoco Leaded or Unleaded gasoline.
  • Fuel capacity: 22 U.S. gallons (83.2 L).
  • Fuel delivery: Carburetion.
  • Compression ratio: 12:1.
  • Aspiration: Naturally aspirated.
  • Carburetor size: 390 cu ft/min (184 L/s) 4-barrel.
  • Wheelbase: 105 in (2667 mm)/ 110 in (2794 mm).
  • Steering: Power, recirculating ball.

List of champions
Year Champion Most Popular Driver Rookie of the Year
1954 Lloyd Dane (1) N/A N/A[11]
1955 Danny Letner N/A N/A
1956 Lloyd Dane (2) N/A N/A
1957 Lloyd Dane (3) N/A N/A
1958 Eddie Gray (1) N/A N/A
1959 Bob Ross N/A N/A
1960 Marvin Porter N/A N/A
1961 Eddie Gray (2) N/A N/A
1962 Eddie Gray (3) N/A N/A
1963 Ron Hornaday Sr. (1) N/A N/A
1964 Ron Hornaday Sr. (2) N/A N/A
1965 Bill Amick Ray Elder N/A
1966 Jack McCoy Ray Elder N/A
1967 Scotty Cain (2) Marshall Sargent N/A
1968 Scotty Cain (2) Ray Elder N/A
1969 Ray Elder (1) Ray Elder N/A
1970 Ray Elder (2) Ray Elder N/A
1971 Ray Elder (3) Ray Elder Dick Kranzler
1972 Ray Elder (4) Ray Elder Carl Adams
1973 Jack McCoy (2) Ray Elder Richard White
1974 Ray Elder (5) Ray Elder Markey James
1975 Ray Elder (6) Ray Elder Don Puskarich
1976 Chuck Bown Jimmy Insolo Gary Johnson
1977 Bill Schmitt Chuck Bown Pat Mintey
1978 Jimmy Insolo Jimmy Insolo Rick McCray
1979 Bill Schmitt (2) Jimmy Insolo Tim Williamson
1980 Roy Smith (1) David Pearson Don Waterman
1981 Roy Smith (2) Hershel McGriff Jim Bown
1982 Roy Smith (3) Hershel McGriff Jim Reich
1983 Jim Robinson (1) Hershel McGriff Ron Esau
1984 Jim Robinson (2) Hershel McGriff Derrike Cope
1985 Jim Robinson (3) Hershel McGriff Glen Steurer
1986 Hershel McGriff Hershel McGriff Chad Little
1987 Chad Little Hershel McGriff Roman Calczynski
1988 Roy Smith (4) Hershel McGriff Bob Howard
1989 Bill Schmitt (3) Hershel McGriff Bill Sedgwick
1990 Bill Schmitt (4) Hershel McGriff Mike Chase
1991 Bill Sedgwick (1) Hershel McGriff Billy Jac Shaw
1992 Bill Sedgwick (2) Hershel McGriff Rick Carelli
1993 Rick Carelli Rick Carelli Dirk Stephens
1994 Mike Chase Ron Hornaday, Jr. Doug George
1995 Doug George Ernie Cope Ernie Cope
1996 Lance Hooper Larry Gunselman Lance Hooper
1997 Butch Gilliland Butch Gilliland Gary Smith
1998 Kevin Harvick Scott Gaylord Austin Cameron
1999 Sean Woodside Butch Gilliland Jason Small
2000 Brendan Gaughan (1) Bobby Dotter Mike Duncan
2001 Brendan Gaughan (2) Brendan Gaughan Mark Reed
2002 Eric Norris Scott Gaylord Mike David
2003 Scott Lynch Austin Cameron Scott Lynch
2004 Mike Duncan (1) Austin Cameron David Gilliland
2005 Mike Duncan (2) Sarah Fisher Andrew Lewis
2006 Eric Holmes (1) Austin Cameron Peyton Sellers
2007 Mike David Mike Duncan Jason Bowles
2008 Eric Holmes (2) Moses Smith Jeff Barkshire
2009 Jason Bowles Moses Smith Paulie Harraka
2010 Eric Holmes (3) Moses Smith Luis Martinez, Jr.
2011 Greg Pursley (1) Moses Smith Dylan Kwasniewski
2012 Dylan Kwasniewski Cassie Gannis Austin Dyne
2013 Derek Thorn (1)[12] Cameron Hayley Dylan Lupton
2014 Greg Pursley (2) Brandon McReynolds[13] James Bickford
2015 Chris Eggleston Nicole Behar Noah Gragson
2016 Todd Gilliland (1) Salvatore Iovino[14] Todd Gilliland
2017 Todd Gilliland (2) Not Awarded Derek Kraus
2018 Derek Thorn (2) Not Awarded Hailie Deegan
2019 Derek Kraus Not Awarded Jagger Jones
2020 Jesse Love Not Awarded Jesse Love

See also

References
  1. "NASCAR K&N Pro Series West History". NASCAR. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on December 10, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  2. Keyes, Scott. "Winning the West: West Coast drivers continue a decades-long tradition of speed". StockCarRacing.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  3. Christley, Jason (December 7, 2010). "2010 Champions Carry On Legacy Of Pioneers". NASCAR. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  4. "Camping World named developmental sponsor". NASCAR. Turner Sports. December 16, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  5. Sigala Jr., Sal (January 24, 2010). "K&N Takes Over Title Sponsorship for Camping World Series in 2010". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  6. "K&N Pro Series West: Career Victories". NASCAR. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  7. "NASCAR K&N Pro Series West returns to the Bullring June 11". Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. March 26, 2011. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  8. Bonkowski, Jerry (October 2, 2019). "NASCAR, ARCA announce new format for 2020; ARCA to take over K&N Series". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  9. Media Release (November 4, 2014). "NASCAR unveils new K&N Pro Series car at 2014 SEMA show". Fox Sports. Fox Sports. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  10. "General Tire to Serve as Exclusive Tire Supplier For NASCAR's K&N Pro Series, Pinty's Series and PEAK Mexico Series". NASCAR Home Tracks. February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  11. Pacific Coast Late Model/NASCAR Grand National Division, 2006, West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame; Retrieved November 7, 2007
  12. Sbarra, Shon (November 9, 2013). "Thorn Snags K&N Pro Series West Title". NASCAR. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  13. Cunningham, Jason (November 19, 2014). "Touring Series Most Popular Drivers Revealed: Champions Rhodes, Seuss Lead 2014 Honorees". hometracks.nascar.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: NASCAR. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  14. "Six Drivers Earn Most Popular Driver Awards". NASCAR Home Tracks. November 23, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  • NASCAR Nextel Cup Series 2006 Media Guide. Daytona Beach, FL: NASCAR PR, 2006.
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