AVONDALE – Despite heavy rain storms throughout the day, not even the weather can damper the excitement at Phoenix Raceway for the NASCAR takeover. The main event of the Shriners Children’s 500 will have over 40,000 in attendance to see the best drivers in the world take over the Valley. However, before the marquee names take the course, NASCAR will have the General Tire 150 tonight at Phoenix Raceway with a stacked field of 34 drivers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The General Tire 150 will be the 54th ARCA Menards Series West at Phoenix Raceway. For the past 48 years, the ARCA has been a staple in Phoenix, and the latest rendition takes place with crew of drivers headlined by these five drivers
1. Tyler Reif
Mar 10, 2023; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR ARCA Menards Series driver Tyler Reif (41) celebrates winning the ARCA Menards General Tire 150 on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gould/The Republic Nascar Araca Race At Phoenix Raceway
One of the favorites for the General Tire 150 is Tyler Reif, who won the event back in 2023. The 17-year-old is a prodigy and made his debut in 202. However, he quickly dominated in the ARCA Menards Series East and has became a household name in during Friday nights for NASCAR.
2. Corey Day
Feb 14, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; ARCA Series driver Corey Day (77) during practice for the Ride the ‘Dente 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Another young, promising driver is Corey Day, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports. Day will run in 10 races in the Xfinity Series for HMS, but he’ll get his feet wet on Friday. The 19-year-old won the 2023 King of the West Sprint Car Series Champion and Make-A-Wish Trophy Cup Champion. Day is hunger to compete on Sundays and will showcased that on Friday and Saturday.
3. Patrick Staropli
Nov 18, 2016; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Patrick Staropoli during the Ford Ecoboost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
One of the older races in the General Tires is 35-year-old Patrick Staropoli. It’s been 10 years since Staropoli competed in an ARCA platform, spending the past decade as a retina surgeon. Staropoli is not taking the opportunity for granted.
“It’s been a whole lot of hard work over a lot of years to try and get back to this level and to this point, and it’s been a whole lot of not giving up,” Staropoli said. “I’ve always wanted to be racing in NASCAR and in ARCA.”
Staropoli makes his return tonight at Phoenix Raceway for the General Tire 150, and it’ll be one to remember.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
