ARCA / ARCA EAST: Recurring mechanical woes spoil Kadence Davenport’s Iowa homecoming
by Ben Schneider / LASTCAR.info Staff Writer
PHOTO: Jason N Janet Bryan/Facebook, via Timecard100/@Nascarcatholic
Kadence Davenport finished last for the 1st time in her ARCA Menards Series career in last Friday’s JR&CO 150 at Iowa Speedway when her No. 7 FCIS / Big I / Davenport Concrete / Academy Roofing Chevrolet fell out with mechanical issues following a spin after 2 of 150 laps.
The finish came in Davenport’s fourth career ARCA national start and third in the ARCA Menards Series East, all three of which have been combination races with the national ARCA tour.
Like many drivers looking to break into stock cars, Davenport grew up racing go-karts and honed her skills in dirt track racing before she made her ARCA debut in 2025. While her first race at Elko Speedway with Eric Caudell’s CCM Racing ended with mechanical issues just before the halfway point, Davenport returned to the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet later that season for two additional starts - the combination races with the ARCA Menards Series East at Indianapolis Raceway Park and Iowa Speedway. The Iowa native placed 23rd at IRP before improving to 17th in the following race at her home track.
Last Friday marked a return to competition for both Davenport and CCM Racing, as Caudell’s two superspeedway starts at Daytona and Talladega had been the team’s only races of the season so far. In total, 33 cars appeared on the entry list, matching the car count from this season’s previous combination race at IRP.
Davenport’s No. 7 sits stalled on the apron as the first caution pauses the action on Lap 3. (SCREENSHOT: FS1)
Unfortunately, Davenport’s track time at her home race was limited, as practice repairs prevented her from participating in qualifying. When the race began, her car blew a gasket, and continued mechanical troubles eventually led to her spinning out. Once Davenport had returned to pit road, Caudell informed the driver that “the engine was dead,” leaving her unable to continue beyond the two laps she had previously completed.
Following Davenport up the running order was Kevin Campbell, who was finally able to take part in the race after recording two “did not starts” at Berlin and Elko. Campbell initially appeared to be in danger of a third such result, but eventually made it on track to run three laps, overtaking Davenport for 32nd place. Brayton Laster was the next retirement from the race, even hopping out of the driver’s seat to work on diagnosing his Clubb Racing Inc. car’s mechanical issues, as his race ended after 12 laps. Nate Moeller went seven laps further in his Wayne Peterson Racing entry, while Brad Smith rounded out the Bottom Five after spinning out on Lap 71.
Up front, Pinnacle Racing Group both started and finished 1-2 with Tristan McKee and Carson Brown, who combined to lead all 150 laps. Jake Bollman finished third, while Max Reaves and Isaac Kitzmiller rounded out the top five. McKee’s win gives him a 1-point lead over Reaves and a 17-point lead over Kitzmiller heading into the season finale at Bristol.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
33) #7-Kadence Davenport / 2 laps / mechanical/accident
32) #81-Kevin Campbell / 3 laps / mechanical/vibration
31) #83-Brayton Laster / 12 laps / mechanical/push rod
30) #0-Nate Moeller / 19 laps / mechanical/vibration
29) #48-Brad Smith / 64 laps / accident
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 14 of 20)
1st) Maples Motorsports, Fast Track Racing, Brad Smith Motorsports(2)
2nd) Ryan Huff Motorsports, Rise Racing with Earnhardt-Shearer Racing, Costner Motorsports, White Motorsports, MBM Motorsports, Clubb Racing Inc., City Garage Motorsports, CCM Racing (1)
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 14 of 20)
1st) Ford, Chevrolet (6)
2nd) Toyota (2)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Click HERE throughout the 2026 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.
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 14 of 20)
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 7 of 8)
1st) City Garage Motorsports
2nd) Tim Monroe Racing, Fast Track Racing, Wayne Peterson Racing, Maples Motorsports, CCM Racing (1)
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 7 of 8)
1st) Ford (4)
2nd) Chevrolet (2)
3rd) Toyota (1)
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 7 of 8)
