ARCA WEST: Josiah Reaume’s debut ends early after crash damage
by Ben Schneider / LASTCAR.info Staff Writer
Josiah Reaume finished last for the 1st time in his ARCA Menards Series West career in last Saturday’s Bill Schmitt Memorial 173 at Shasta Speedway when his No. 72 RBR Engineering Chevrolet fell out with crash damage after 17 of 173 laps.
The finish came in Reaume’s ARCA West debut.
Driving the second entry for Strike Mamba Racing, the youngest Reaume brother and former York University football player faced a steep, uphill battle in his first career ARCA West start. Of the 16 drivers on the entry list, Reaume anchored both practice and qualifying time charts, lining up 16th on the starting grid.
The No. 72’s struggles continued once the green flag dropped - first, Reaume stalled on the frontstretch to bring out the first caution, and then on Lap 18, the Canadian driver hit the outside wall, bringing an early end to his night. While his debut race was not an easy one, Reaume remained upbeat about the experience and shared on Instagram that he is committed to “strategizing our comeback” and “ready to keep learning and improving every lap.”
Following Reaume up the running order was Joey Iest, who completed 89 laps before a transmission failure put him behind the wall. Mechanical problems for Julian DaCosta brought out the night’s fifth and final caution, forcing him to settle for 14th with 136 laps completed. Gavin Ray had brought out the fourth caution on Lap 117, but his Jerry Pitts Racing team was able to make repairs and get their No. 7 car back on track to complete 146 laps, the last of those running at the finish. Rounding out the Bottom Five was David Smith, who crossed the line with 161 laps completed.
Up front, defending series champion Trevor Huddleston took pole position and led every lap but the first one to score his first victory of the season and extend his points lead. Tucson winner Cole Denton finished second, while Mason Massey, who led the opening lap, placed third.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
16) #72-Josiah Reaume / 17 laps / accident
15) #88-Joey Iest / 89 laps / transmission
14) #25-Julian DaCosta / 136 laps / mechanical
13) #7-Gavin Ray / 146 laps / running
12) #05-David Smith / 161 laps / running
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES WEST OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 4 of 13)
1st) Strike Mamba Racing (2)
2nd) Rise Racing with Earnhardt-Shearer Racing, Central Coast Racing (1)
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES WEST MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 4 of 13)
1st) Chevrolet (3)
2nd) Toyota (1)
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 WEST DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 4 of 13)
