Race Overview
The 2025 ARCA Menards Series Tide 150 at Kansas Speedway, held on May 9, 2025. The race, contested over 100 laps on the 1.5-mile tri-oval, saw Brenden “Butterbean” Queen emerge victorious, leading 72 laps and winning by 0.275 seconds. The cautions impacted the race strategy, particularly with a modified live pit stop procedure in place. The 2025 ARCA Menards Series Tide 150 at Kansas Speedway was the fourth race of the season and took place under the evening lights, creating unique challenges for drivers. This race, contested which played a significant role in the race dynamics and strategy. The event started at 8:00 p.m. ET and was broadcast live on FS1, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The field was limited to 30 starters plus provisionals, following the 2025 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations, and specifications. Qualifying set the starting positions based on each car’s fastest lap, and a modified live pit stop procedure was in place, with a scheduled caution at or near Lap 50. This scheduled caution was part of the race format to allow for pit stops without adding or removing tires once the race began, with a maximum tire allotment of 16 tires allowed for use (purchased at the track and from home, per EIRI rules).
The Overvalll Race
Pre-race information from ARCA Racing highlighted the scheduled caution at Lap 50, but did not predict additional cautions. This aligns with the race’s competitive nature, with 26 drivers entered, including championship contenders like Lavar Scott, Thad Moffitt, and William Sawalich, and rookies like Ryan Vargas and Miguel Gomes. During the first 50 laps, Lawless Alan #20 took the lead as the race saw early action, with Thad Moffitt #46 going sideways on Lap 2 but saving it without a caution, dropping outside the top 10. This incident, while not resulting in a caution, underscores the high-speed, competitive nature of Kansas Speedway, where such moments can influence driver positions without triggering a yellow flag. During most of the race, William Sawalich #18, Lawless Alan #20 and Brenden Queen #28 tried to take the lead as it became close until the final 10 laps. During Lap 7, Patrick Staropoli #17 had an issue with his car but did had his car on fire has soon as made it to pitstop. Spencer Gallagher #23 somehow crossed over the cushion as it was too close but was able to hold on without a caution. Brenden Queen and William Sawalich took over the race until was pitstop time as all of the drivers were able to get tires and fuel ready for the 2nd half of the race. A scheduled caution around Lap 50 came up as there was no major caution this way everyone can still battle for the win if the drivers are not over a lap down.
Brenden Queen and William Sawalich continued to battle for first place as these two cars did well, until 18 laps to go when Michael Maples spun off turn four into the grass, which leads it to a caution flag. The #99 car somehow lost control and spun out on turn four and landed to the grass. As the race resumed with the green-flag restart, Brenden “Butterbean” Queen took the lead. With 9 laps to go, Lavar Scott #6 and Thad Moffitt #46 were in a tight spot but Moffitt went up front but ended up with Scott by tapping Moffitt car into the wall before turn four which then led the caution flag as Moffitt drove through the wall scratching his right side of the car. When they resumed the green flag, Brenden Queen still took the lead as William Sawalich and Lawless Alan tried to fight for the top spot. Brenden Queen began to lose the tip of his nose as he was still able to take the lead. When the final lap came, Brenden Queen was going to win the race until the late caution as Lanie Buice #2 lost control of the car and managed to save himself, as he needed up hitting Isabella Robusto #55 as her car did a 360 angle, which the car ended up getting in the wall. Another caution, implied by the race concluding with a one-lap shootout, suggesting at least one more incident that necessitated a late restart.
During the final restart lap, it was 1 lap of overtime and Brenden Queen was able to resumed the lead as Mason Mitchell #25 was about to take the spot for 3rd while Lawless Alan began to slow down a little bit on turn three. Brenden “Butterbean” Queen has won the race as he passed the white checkered flag. This was his second win since the beginning of the 2025 Season at Daytona and Queen was happy with the thrill of excitement and joy. He took the risk to climb to the top of the fence as the fans cheered for him. He had interview with Fox Sports and won 2 races in 4 races of the 2025 season and mentioned that “I haven’t had a waffle since Daytona. I am hungry.” He described it as a celebration to The Waffle House.
Impact on Race Dynamics
The cautions had significant implications for race strategy and outcomes. The scheduled caution at Lap 50 allowed teams to execute pit stops under controlled conditions, affecting track position and tire management. The late caution at 1 laps to go, led to a green-flag restart in the final one-lap shootout, with Queen maintaining the lead and ultimately holding off William Sawalich in the final one-lap shootout, winning by 0.275 seconds. This final caution was crucial, as it set up the dramatic finish, showcasing Queen’s ability to execute a perfect restart.
Statistical Overview
To provide a clearer picture, here is a table summarizing the key caution-related details:
This table encapsulates the timing and impact of each caution, highlighting their role in shaping the race. He also get to celebrate his victory at the Waffle House like what he said from the interview.
The next ARCA Menards Series race, scheduled for May 23, 2025, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, may offer additional insights into caution trends for the season.
Below are the full race results for the top 10 finishers, as reported from sources covering the event:
- Brenden Queen (#28 Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet)
- William Sawalich (#18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
- Mason Mitchell (#25 Venturini Motorsports Toyota)
- Lawless Alan (#15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota)
- Lavar Scott (#6 Rev Racing Chevrolet)
- Andy Jankowiak (#73 KLAS Motorsports Toyota)
- Jason Kitzmiller (#97 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet)
- Lanie Buice (#2 Rev Racing Chevrolet)
- Spencer Gallagher (#23 Sigma Performance Services Chevrolet)
- Ryan Vargas (#67 Maples Motorsports Chevrolet)
In conclusion, the 2025 ARCA Menards Series Tide 150 at Kansas Speedway had 3 cautions, impacting strategy and leading to a thrilling finish. This information, derived from detailed race reports, provides a robust understanding of the race’s flow and competitive nature.
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