ARCA / ARCA WEST: Brad Smith’s return to the track shortened by an ill-handling chassis
by Ben Schneider / LASTCAR.info Staff Writer
Smith’s new chassis for 2025, featuring the Fast Track Racing team’s website on the rear quarter-panel (PHOTO: @DriverBradSmith/X)
Brad Smith finished last for the 22nd time in his ARCA Menards Series career - and 1st time in his ARCA Menards Series West career - in last Friday’s General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway when his No. 48 Gary’s Speed Shop Ford fell out with handling issues after 8 of 165 laps.
The finish came in Smith’s 444th career ARCA start and 4th career ARCA West start.
With three last-place finishes last season, Smith ended 2024 as the LASTCAR ARCA Menards Series Drivers’ Champion. Despite clinching this title at the season finale in Toledo, Smith enjoyed his best run of the 2024 season that day, finishing 12th at the Ohio short track.
While Smith himself did not attempt Daytona last month, his team partnered with Jeff Scofield to have Scofield use his No. 48 at the 2025 season opener. After Scofield finished 14th, the team reclaimed the number and appeared at Phoenix with a new (to team) chassis that previously belonged to Fast Track Racing. With minimal time to prepare the car, Smith, who experienced a close escape on the opening lap, elected to “pull off and live to race another day,” parking the car with “handling” as the official reason out.
Between ARCA National and ARCA West, a strong total of 34 cars appeared on the entry list for this combination race. Due to a power issue on Alex Malycke’s No. 86 Clubb Racing Ford, only 33 took the green flag to start the event. For the second time in as many races to start the ARCA national tour’s season, qualifying was canceled due to inclement weather, which set the starting lineup by 2024 owners’ points.
Following Smith in returning to the garage early were several fan favorites. Ryan Vargas - making his first career start under the ARCA banner and first start at the former K&N East/West level since 2018 - fell out with suspension issues on his Maples Motorsports entry after completing 13 laps. Venturini Motorsports’ Isabella Robusto saw her rough start to 2025 continue as an oil leak forced her behind the wall, which coincided with the race’s competition caution. Brake issues ended Brad Perez’s night after 24 laps, while 2024 ARCA West Drivers’ Champion David Smith rounded out the Bottom Five after contact with the wall.
Up front, Brent Crews stole the victory from Brendan “Butterbean” Queen in a double-overtime finish, resulting in yet another 1-2 finish for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 and Pinnacle Racing Group No. 28 entries. Queen appeared to be cruising to victory, but a late spin by Tim Viens forced the race into overtime, allowing Crews to pass him on a second overtime restart.
DID NOT START
34) #86-Alex Malycke
THE BOTTOM FIVE
33) #48-Brad Smith / 8 laps / handling
32) #67-Ryan Vargas / 13 laps / suspension
31) #55-Isabella Robusto / 19 laps / oil leak
30) #10-Brad Perez / 24 laps / brakes
29) #05-David Smith / 28 laps / accident
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 2 of 20)
1st) CCM Racing, Brad Smith Motorsports (1)
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 2 of 20)
1st) Toyota, Ford (1)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Click HERE throughout the 2025 ARCA season to view the full drivers’ standings for both the ARCA Menards Series and its East and West divisions. You can also find the manufacturers’ and owners’ standings for all three series HERE.
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 2 of 20)
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES WEST OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 2 of 12)
1st) Cook Racing Technologies, Brad Smith Motorsports (1)
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES WEST MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 2 of 12)
1st) Chevrolet, Ford (1)
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES WEST DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 2 of 12)
