Taylor Mayhew Won Kyle Busch Classic at The Bullring
Taylor Mayhew secured his first career ARCA Menards Series West victory in Las Vegas after a final-lap pass.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Motorsports
Live Poll
Do you feel local motorsports events are worth the time and money for your community?
Driving the No. 17 Chevrolet, Taylor Mayhew claimed his first career ARCA Menards Series West win at the Kyle Busch Classic. He overcame a 23rd-place start to secure the victory at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Why it matters
The victory marks a significant breakthrough for Mayhew, who demonstrated persistence by moving through the field from a deep starting position. The win reshapes the competitive landscape as the series heads toward its final stretch.
The race was held on the 0.375-mile track at The Bullring, with the final dash decided over a one-lap overtime finish. Mayhew executed the winning maneuver against leader Robbie Kennealy in turn 4.
The players
Taylor Mayhew
He is an ARCA Menards Series West driver who pilots the No. 17 Chevrolet.
Robbie Kennealy
He is a competitor in the ARCA Menards Series West who finished second in the Kyle Busch Classic.
Vito Cancilla
He is an emerging driver who recorded a fourth-place finish in his debut appearance for the series.
Trevor Huddleston
He is a veteran series driver who finished fifth after being involved in a late-race caution.
Cole Denton
He is a series competitor who achieved a podium finish by taking third place.
The details
After a caution caused by a collision between Trevor Huddleston and Mason Massey, Mayhew utilized a bump-and-run maneuver to overtake Robbie Kennealy on the final lap. Vito Cancilla finished fourth in his series debut.
Timeline
The Kyle Busch Classic race was held on October 2, 2026.
The series will hold its next race on October 17, 2026, at Phoenix Raceway.
Season Trajectory
This victory at The Bullring marks a critical development in the ARCA Menards Series West 2026 schedule as teams prepare for the season finale. It disrupts the expected outcome for top-tier veterans and boosts the profile of rising competitors heading into Phoenix.
Mayhew moved from 23rd to first, forcing a shuffle in the race finishing order after the one-lap overtime restart. The result forces a shift in standings parity for the final weeks of the 2026 racing calendar.
The takeaway
Mayhew demonstrated that even the deepest starting positions can be overcome with well-timed aggressive maneuvers. Future competitors should note the critical importance of the final restart in short-track series racing.
What happens next
The ARCA Menards Series West will continue its season with a race scheduled for October 17, 2026, at Phoenix Raceway.
Further reading
For more information on the season, visit the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Frontstretch.
Live Poll
Do you feel local motorsports events are worth the time and money for your community?
