ARCA EAST: Brad Smith first behind the wall in an apparent true start-and-park
by Ben Schneider / LASTCAR.info Staff Writer
(PHOTO: Timecard100/@Nascarcatholic, X/Twitter)
Brad Smith finished last for the 4th time in his ARCA Menards Series East career in last Saturday’s Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway when his No. 48 Gary’s Speed Shop Ford fell out after 4 of 150 laps.
The finish came in Smith’s 29th career ARCA East start.
While Smith is no stranger to adversity, his perseverance has been evident through our coverage of his team in recent years. As one of ARCA’s last true independents, the team has historically run within its means, start-and-parking when necessary to maintain its full-time status and receive the subsequent series bonuses that follow.
On this particular night, however, the exact reason for Smith’s early exit was unknown. While the team’s social media pages highlighted Smith’s practice and qualifying times, their X/Twitter feed then went silent for six days, their next two posts wishing a happy birthday to Rush McGrady, a longtime crew member. Due to the lack of updates and information available, not to mention the lack of clarity regarding Racing-Reference’s now-standard “mechanical” reasons out for ARCA DNFs, The Third Turn has chosen to simply list “quit” for Smith, perhaps indicating a rare true start-and-park with no specific minor issue passed off as a more legitimate “reason out.”
Editorially, while I respect The Third Turn’s ruling, I find such a reason out quite ironic for Smith and his No. 48 crew. Anyone who has followed their journey in this series should know that “quit” is not in their vocabulary, and I have no doubt that the team will continue to do everything in their power to continue to show up to the track on a race-by-race basis the rest of the 2025 season.
In total, 22 teams appeared on the entry list. But due to Andrew Patterson withdrawing after a practice crash, only 21 took the green flag to start the race. While Smith’s lap of 22.114 seconds anchored the practice charts, he picked up multiple seconds in qualifying, improving to 18th with a time of 19.832 seconds. Racing-Reference lists Patterson as 22nd in qualifying, perhaps listing him in the slot provisionally before it was confirmed he would be unable to start the race.
Following Smith up the running order was Rita Goulet, who pulled off the track after 26 laps, reportedly over a speed issue as The Third Turn lists her reason out as “too slow.” Corey Aiken and E.J. Tamayo, both making their East Series debuts, were the only other two retirements from the race. Aiken made it six laps further than Goulet before a carburetor issue ended his race, while Tamayo’s run in the top 10 ended on lap 107 due to a loss of power. The final car in the Bottom Five was also the final car running at the finish, as Cody Dennison completed 131 laps under power and placed 17th.
Up front, Max Reaves took the checkered flag first in his series debut, driving the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota that has been dominant in this series for several years with Ty Gibbs, Sammy Smith, and William Sawalich among others. At 15 years old, Reaves is also the first driver born in the 2010s to win a NASCAR- or ARCA-sanctioned race.
DID NOT START
22) #40-Andrew Patterson
THE BOTTOM FIVE
21) #48-Brad Smith / 4 laps / quit
20) #31-Rita Goulet / 26 laps / too slow
19) #00-Corey Aiken / 32 laps / carburetor
18) #01-E.J. Tamayo / 101 laps / engine
17) #9-Cody Dennison / 131 laps / running
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 1 of 8)
1st) Brad Smith Motorsports (1)
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 1 of 8)
1st) Ford (1)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Click HERE throughout the 2025 ARCA season to view the full drivers’ standings for both the ARCA Menards Series and its East and West divisions. You can also find the manufacturers’ and owners’ standings for all three series HERE.
2025 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 1 of 8)
