In his ARCA Menards Series West debut on Saturday night (Sept. 30), Kaden Honeycutt survived a myriad of restarts and outlasted a hard-charging Sean Hingorani to earn his first career West victory in the NAPA Auto Parts 150 from All American Speedway.
“That was tough at the end,” Honeycutt said post-race. “I knew Sean was going to give me a run for my money. I just appreciate him racing me really clean there. He had every opportunity to hit me and knock me out of the way. I was battling free in; I think I had burnt the right rear off of it.
“I needed it really badly. Racing has torn me from inside out and tested me so much these last couple months. This feels good to get it back on track.”
In victory lane, Honeycutt stated he will pilot the No. 17 for Cook Racing Technologies for the rest of the 2023 West season as the organization seeks the owners’ championship.
After winning the pole, Tyler Reif led the opening laps before Honeycutt wrestled the lead away, leaving Reif to battle for second with his brother Tanner Reif.
From his starting position of sixth, Hingorani began methodically working his way through the field from the start. Before the halfway mark, the ARCA West points leader found himself in third place reeling in the leaders.
Several cautions for small incidents forced Honeycutt to execute a series of restarts over the second half of the race, which he did to perfection.
Although Hingorani cut the deficit to leader Honeycutt to a measure of car lengths, he ultimately would not have enough for eventual winner Honeycutt.
While Honeycutt took the victory, Hingorani followed him home to finish second and extend his point lead as second-place points runner Landen Lewis did not participate in the race.
Tanner Reif ended his day third, while Joey Iest finished fourth and Buddy Shepherd rounded out the top five.
ARCA West Results from All American Speedway
As the season now only has three races left, the West Series will return to action on Oct. 13 for the Star Nursery 150 from The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev.
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