Bold moves are shaking up the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West as Bill McAnally Racing decides to pull out from the remaining races, including tonight’s event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring. But here’s where it gets controversial: this strategic withdrawal shines a spotlight on the team’s full commitment to their NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series effort, raising questions about priorities in motorsports today.
Tonight, while other ARCA West teams battle it out on the tight quarter-mile oval of the Bullring, Bill McAnally Racing won’t be on the track. Instead, they’re directing all their energy and resources toward their NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign, where the stakes are incredibly high. With the playoffs down to just eight drivers, and McAnally-Hilgemann Racing boasting two of them, the team is double-downed on their chance for a championship.
Tyler Ankrum, behind the wheel of the No. 18 truck, and Daniel Hemric, piloting the No. 19, are both fiercely competing for the title. This success in the Truck Series is the driving force behind Bill McAnally Racing’s decision to step away from the ARCA West races at Las Vegas and Phoenix this year.
In an official statement released Friday, the team explained their position clearly: “The No. 19 BMR team will not participate in tonight’s ARCA Menards Series West race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring or the upcoming Phoenix Raceway race as we concentrate entirely on the remaining NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoff events.”
They further emphasized, “Being the only team with two trucks advancing to the ‘Round of 8’ means we want to make sure every ounce of our effort and resources is focused on these critical final three Truck Series races.”
While this move might upset some ARCA fans, the team did reassure supporters by looking ahead: “We can’t wait to get back to competing in the ARCA Menards Series West in 2026!” This means Bill McAnally Racing views their ARCA participation as a longer-term project but sees 2025 as a pivotal year for Truck Series success.
Significantly, only two ARCA West races remain on the 2025 calendar—at Las Vegas and Phoenix—making their withdrawal from both all the more impactful. On the other hand, the NASCAR Truck Series playoffs are heating up, with the championship 4 drivers set to be finalized after the Martinsville Speedway race on October 24th, and the full season wrapping up the week after at Phoenix Raceway.
This raises an intriguing question for fans and analysts alike: is it better for a racing organization to specialize their efforts and chase top honors in one series, or maintain a broader presence across multiple platforms? Bill McAnally Racing’s decision will surely spark debate on the balance between ambition and legacy.
What’s your take? Do you think focusing intensely on the NASCAR Truck Series is the smartest move, or should Bill McAnally Racing keep up their presence in ARCA West, no matter the challenge? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation.
Links to explore more:
- Bill McAnally Racing: https://bmrnaparacing.com/
- NASCAR Official Site: https://www.nascar.com/
- ARCA Racing: https://www.arcaracing.com/
