As the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East made their move to one of ARCA’s most historic facilities in Toledo Speedway, Tristan McKee scooted away from the field and led over 190 laps after some early contact en route to his second-career main-series ARCA win and first on an oval.
The victory also marked McKee’s third win in four races in the East division as the series reached its halfway point.
The race was the main and East divisions’ first of four combination events of the 2026 season.
“That was a fun race; this track is awesome,” McKee told FOX Sports 1 post-race. “Kind of a rhythm track. Thanks to all the Pinnacle Racing Group guys and Spire Motorsports.”
Thomas Annunziata came home in the runner-up position, with Carson Brown, Jake Bollman and Caden Kvapil rounding out the top five. Kvapil, son of former NASCAR competitor Travis Kvapil and brother of NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Carson Kvapil, was making his ARCA debut.
Isabella Robusto, Jason Kitzmiller, Wesley Slimp, Ryan Vargas and Craig Pellegrini Jr. completed the top 10.
Chaos unfolded early under the biggest field seen at the track since 2015, as McKee and pole sitter Max Reaves made contact within the first 10 laps. McKee saved his No. 77 while Reaves continued on momentarily, before succumbing to a flat tire and spinning out, miraculously missing oncoming traffic.
Another crash took place on lap 47, as Takuma Koga, Rita Goulet and Andy Jankowiak piled into the styrofoam blocks in turn 3, taking out a Jankowiak machine that was racing in the top five. After an extended clean-up period, it all came up golden for Reaves as he got the lucky dog at the lap 75 race break.
A caution with under 50 to go due to a need to dispatch medical equipment bunched the field back up, but it was no dice for anyone looking to contend with McKee. It became academic from there, as Reaves lost power in his car after having returned to second, with the No. 77 getting away for good.
ARCA Toledo Results
The ARCA Menards Series next heads to Michigan International Speedway on Friday, June 5 at 5 p.m. ET, with coverage on FOX Sports 2. ARCA East, meanwhile, returns at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in July.
Thomas is in his second year covering NASCAR at Frontstretch. A Bay Area NASCAR fan for over 15+ years, he found his love for the sport through Jeff Gordon. He helps manage the 2-Headed Monster Column.
Thomas has enjoyed several trips to Sonoma Raceway in his time and currently covers college athletics in the Bay Area, writing about the California Golden Bears and doing play by play broadcasting.