Tucson, AZ — In what can only be described as one of the most thrilling short track battles in recent memory, Tanner Reif emerged victorious Saturday night at Tucson Speedway after an electrifying three-way fight to the finish in ARCA Menards Series West action.
Reif, behind the wheel of his familiar No. 16, showed patience and precision in the final laps as he fended off fierce charges from both Eric Johnson Jr. and Jake Bollman. The trio swapped positions in a nail-biting closing stretch, trading paint and dive-bombing corners in a classic Tucson showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
“That was insane,” Reif said in Victory Lane, grinning ear to ear. “Those last few laps, I knew it was going to come down to who wanted it most. Eric and Jake raced me hard but clean — that’s what this sport’s all about.”
Eric Johnson Jr., still searching for his first career win, finished a strong second after nearly pulling alongside Reif in Turn 4 on the final lap. Jake Bollman, another rising young talent, settled for third but proved he’s a force to watch the rest of the season.
Further down the top 10, Kyle Keller and veteran Trevor Huddleston rounded out the top five. Caleb Shrader impressed with a solid sixth-place run, while Robbie Kennealy, Todd Souza, Blake Lothain, and Cody Dennison completed the top ten.
Saturday’s race not only delivered fireworks on the track but also shook up the ARCA West points standings, with Reif gaining key momentum in what’s shaping up to be a tightly contested season.
If Tucson Speedway was any indication, the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West campaign is going to be one to remember. And for Tanner Reif — Saturday night was a statement win that may just be the beginning of a breakout year.
