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Jack Wood inks full-time ARCA West, part-time Truck schedule with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2024

Jack Wood will be joining McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in a double-duty role for the 2024 NASCAR season. The double-duty effort will feature Wood piloting the No. 16 NAPA Auto Care/Bill McAnally Racing Chevrolet SS on a full-time basis in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he will compete for the series’ championship, and the No. 91 MHR Chevrolet Silverado RST in 14 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Serise events.

As part of Wood’s double-duty effort, Kevin Bellicourt will serve as his crew chief in both series and Eric Holmes, a three-time ARCA West champion, will serve as both his spotter and driver coach. Wood’s first Truck Series start with MHR in 2024 is set to occur at Daytona International Speedway on February 16 followed by Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 24 as the rest of his schedule remains to be determined. His first ARCA Menards Series West start of the 2024 season also remains to be determined with the series’ schedule not yet revealed.

The news comes as the 23-year-old Wood from Loomis, California, is coming off a part-time Truck campaign with Kyle Busch Motorsports, where he competed in 13 of the 23-race schedule and recorded two top-10 results.

“The opportunity to race for a championship with BMR and NAPA Auto Care is definitely exciting,” Wood said. “It’s a great chance to reestablish myself in the West series, focus on racing for a title and continuing to compete on the Truck side also. Having Kevin [Bellicourt] with me in both series is going to be a huge help to build consistency and I’m looking forward to balancing both programs next season.”

Prior to the Truck Series, Wood formely competed in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he has tallied four top-five results and 11 top-10 results in 19 starts (2019-23). He has also made three career starts in the ARCA East region and 17 career starts in the ARCA Menards Series, where he has collected three top-five results and 10 top-10 results in 17 starts (2021-23).

During the 2021 season, Wood made his Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas, where he finished 28th while piloting GMS Racing’s No. 24 Chevrolet entry. The Californian would compete in 11 additional events before competing on a full-time basis in the Truck circuit with GMS in 2022. Despite finishing no higher than 13th on the track in a season where he recorded an average-finishing result of 25.2 and a 24th-place result in the final standings, Wood was selected to anchor Kyle Busch Motorsports’ No. 51 Chevrolet entry for the majority of the 2023 season, where he shared the ride with team owner Kyle Busch, William Byron and Matt Mills.

Through 48 career starts in the Truck Series, Wood has achieved three top-10 results, five laps led and an average-finishing result of 24.4. Currently, his best on-track result is a ninth-place run at Texas Motor Speedway in April as he continues his pursuit for his first series’ victory.

Wood’s 2024 plans reunites himself with Bill McAnally Racing, which he competed for at Sonoma Raceway in the ARCA West and at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the ARCA Menards Series during the 2022 season. It will also mark his first full-time campaign in the ARCA West region as he replaces Tanner Reif in the No. 16 BMR entry, an entry that last won the ARCA West title in 2021 with Jesse Love. Over on the Truck Series region, Wood will compete alongside Christian Eckes and Daniel Dye, both of whom will compete for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing on a full-time basis.

“Having Jack join our Truck Series program is a big addition, and I’m excited to see him compete for a championship in the NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet out west,” Bill McAnally, team owner of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, said. “We want to get back to victory lane in the ARCA West Series and Jack will give us a great chance to chase our 12th championship. He never got to compete for a regional title, and I think the opportunity for him to do that will help him gain confidence and experience. It will also help grow the No. 91 team with Kevin [Bellicourt] into a contender in the Truck Series.”

With his plans for next season set, Wood’s part-time 2024 Craftsman Truck Series campaign with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway for the Fresh From Florida 250. The event is scheduled to occur on February 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

December 6, 2023
Jake Drew scores second ARCA Menards Series West career victory at Sonoma

A week after notching his first victory at Portland International Raceway, Jake Drew went back-to-back in the ARCA Menards Series West after winning the General Tire 200 at Sonoma Raceway from pole position on Saturday, June 11.

The 22-year-old Drew from Fullerton, California, and who drives for Sunrise Ford Racing, dominated from start to finish, leading a race-high 48 of 56 laps, and survived the carnage, a series of restarts and late challenges from Landen Lewis and Drew Moore before the latter two were collected in a late wreck that eventually shortened the event to claim the checkered flag under caution.

With on-track practice and qualifying sessions that determined the starting lineup occurring on Friday, Jake Drew started on pole position after clocking in a pole-winning lap at 1:20.397 in 89.108 seconds. Joining him on the front row was Landen Lewis, whose best lap occurred at 1:21.134 mph in 88.298 seconds.

When the green flag waved and the race started, Drew cleared the field entering the first turn to lead through the first three turns and approaching the return of the Chute from Turns 4 and 7. Through Turns 8 through 11, Drew retained the lead and led the first lap followed by Landen Lewis, Todd Souza, Dale Quarterley and Austin Herzog.

Through the first five laps, Drew remained as the leader ahead of Lewis, Souza, Quarterley and Herzog while Tanner Reif, Sebastian Arias, Paul Pedroncelli Jr., Jack Wood and Dean Thompson were in the top 10.

Four laps later, the first caution of the event flew when Nick Joanides stalled his car at the entrance of the temporary pit road on the Sonoma Raceway drag strip.

When the race restarted on Lap 13, Drew was able to retain the lead ahead of the field. Two laps later, however, the caution returned when Vince Little spun and wrecked in Turn 10.

At the start of the following restart on Lap 18, Drew and Souza battled dead even as Souza emerged as the new leader through the first two turns while the field scrambled for spots. Then through Turn 7A, Lewis made his move into the runner-up spot over Drew until Drew reassumed the spot through Turn 11.

Through the first 20 laps, Drew, who reassumed the lead from Souza when Souza went wide in Turn 7A during the previous lap, was ahead of Souza, Lewis, Quarterley, Cole Moore, Herzog, Tanner Reif, Joey Iest, Jack Wood and Colby Howard. Behind, Sebastian Arias and PJ Pdroncelli spun in Turn 11.

Three laps later, the caution flew when Robb Kneeland, who bumped and rubbed with Bridget Burgess through Turn 7A, got bumped by Brugess as he spun and collected Arias in the process, thus sending both into the tire barriers between Turns 7 and 8 and out of the event. The incident was one that left Burgess heated towards Arias. During the caution period, some led by Lewis pitted while the rest led by Drew pitted.

When the race restarted under green on Lap 29, Lewis took off with the lead at the start while Quarterley spun the tires on the inside lane as he briefly stacked up the field. Then as the field made its way through Turn 3A, the caution returned when Tanner Reif spun off the front nose of Joey Iest before he was T-boned on the right side by Takuma Koga.

With 30 laps remaining and the race restarted under green, Drew had to fend off a challenge from Cole Moore to retain the lead through the first two turns. Not long after in Turn 7A, Souza spun, but the race proceeded under green.

Two laps later, the caution returned when Tim Spurgeon spun and wrecked his car against the tire barriers in Turn 10.

When the race proceeded under green with 26 laps remaining, Drew retained the lead ahead of Moore as the field scrambled and jostled for positions up through the first four turns before entering the Chute and Turn 7.

Then with 22 laps remaining as the battle for the lead ignited between Drew, Moore and Lewis, Moore made a bold move to the outside of Drew to briefly take the lead until he went wide through Turn 11. This allowed Drew to reassume the lead as Lewis joined the battle for the lead.

During the following lap, Lewis took over the runner-up spot over Moore, who briefly went off the course and into the gravel in Turn 2, as Drew remained as the leader.

Following another caution period with 18 laps remaining due to debris reported in Turn 3, the race restarted four laps later. Drew took off with the lead on the outside lane entering Turn 1 while Colby Howard challenged Lewis for the runner-up spot. Then in Turn 11, Howard got into Lewis while battling for the runner-up spot as Lewis collected Moore with the latter two spinning. As Moore was trying to straighten his car, he got hit on the right side by Dean Thompson, Ryan Philpott and Paul Pedroncelli Jr. while Lewis continued.

The multi-car incident and the extensive cleanup period were enough for the event to conclude under caution eight laps shy of the finish to the 64-lap distance due to time constraints as Drew claimed his second consecutive victory in the ARCA Menards Series West. The victory also allowed Drew to retain his lead in the drivers’ championship standings by 35 points over Todd Souza, 37 over Tanner Reif, 38 over Cole Moore and 39 over Austin Herzog.

Colby Howard, a full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing who was making his ARCA Menards Series West debut, settled in second place followed by Dale Quarterley, Jack Wood and Joey Iest while Austin Herzog, Eric Nascimento, Todd Souza, Tim Spurgeon and Bridget Burgess completed the top 10.

There were four lead changes for two different leaders. The race featured seven cautions for 29 laps

Results.

1. Jake Drew, 48 laps led

2. Colby Howard

3. Dale Quarterley

4. Jack Wood

5. Joey Iest

6. Austin Herzog

7. Eric Nascimento

8. Todd Souza, two laps led

9. Tim Spurgeon

10. Bridget Burgess

11. Vince Little

12. Cole Moore

13. Andrew Tuttle

14. Landen Lewis

15. Dean Thompson – OUT, Accident

16. Paul Pedroncelli Jr. – OUT, Accident

17. Ryan Philpott – OUT, Accident

18. Tanner Reif – OUT, Accident

19. Takuma Koga – OUT, Accident

20. Rodd Kneeland – OUT, Accident

21. Sebastian Arias – OUT, Accident

22. Nick Joanides – OUT, Accident

23. Paul Pedroncelli – OUT, Accident

24. Brian Kamisky – OUT, Did not start

The replay of the Sonoma event will air on June 16 at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.

Next on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series West schedule is the series’ second trip of the season to Irwindale Speedway, which will occur on July 2 at 10 p.m. ET on FloRacing.

June 11, 2022
David Gilliland Snaps winless streak, Jesse Love Jr. collects 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Championship
On the final race day of the year for the 2020 ARCA Menards Series West, just 100 laps separated championship contenders Blaine Perkins and Jesse Love Jr. for the title. There were multiple championship scenarios in play, but the end goal was simple. Love Jr. had to finish eighth or better than Perkins, no matter what Perkins did.

Love Jr. prevailed as the Bill McAnally Racing driver had already collected the ARCA West title with 30 laps to go.

Perkins, in the No. 9 Ford was, out of the race early due to engine issues that relegated him to a 25th place outing and ultimately giving Love Jr. the title for the first time in his career. The title was a huge accomplishment for the 15-year-old Californian as he replaced Hailie Deegan’s old No. 19 ride coming into the 2020 season.

“I just knew when the race started I had to control everything I could control,” said Love. “Kind of put my pride aside and just try to race the nine car and not put myself in any situations. If I could find a gap, I would drive forward to get to that gap, or I would just back off to get to that gap so I could just be by myself and not have to get in any dog fights or anything like that.

“Had to be smart about it. It was killing me. I wish I could have been more aggressive, been able to race really hard. But one of those deals, but obviously it’s cool. Paid off in a championship.”

Despite there being a championship on the line, a race winner was also to be decided. David Gilliland, the 44-year-old team owner of DGR-Crosley earned his first checkered flag since 2012 at Sonoma in what was then called the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series.

Gilliland qualified on the pole with a time of 27.452 seconds and 131.138 mph to set his No. 4 Ford on the front row.

The race wasn’t all that easy for the former Cup Series driver, as three cautions occurred during the first 12 laps. Gilliland kept himself in contention by staying up front but unfortunate circumstances came at the Lap 54 restart following the halfway break. The Riverside, California native was penalized for a restart violation, changing lanes too soon by diving to the bottom of the track. Gilliland had to serve a pass-through penalty and was mired deep in the 27-car field.

Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs in the No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota, was dominating the race but things began to go south with cautions late in the race. The opportunity for Gilliland came with nine laps to go when race leader Gibbs slid up the track and was slightly into the Turn 1 wall. Gilliland’s car was like a rocket and it didn’t take him long to grab the top spot with his son Todd and competitor Sam Mayer, following in suit. However, Gilliland had to wait one more time due to a caution coming out for Mayer when the GMS driver suffered a left-rear flat after contact with Todd.

The final restart came with three to go, and surprisingly, after the contact a few laps earlier, Ty Gibbs was back on the front row with Gilliland. Fortunately for (David) Gilliland, he was able to keep Gibbs at a distance and win for the fifth time in his West Series career, the first checkered flag for him under the ARCA Series banner.

“It’s always fun racing with Todd, and to be able to race with your son is actually a dream come true for me,” said Gilliland. “[It] tops anything. Tops sitting here in victory lane and winning, winning as an owner or a championship — it tops everything, racing with him.

“And to be able to do that today was very special.”

There were seven cautions for 29 laps, and six lead changes among two different leaders.

The 2020 ARCA West Series champion, Jesse Love Jr., ends the season with three West Series victories, nine top fives and 10 top-10 finishes along with four poles. The other two victories for Love Jr. came at Irwindale and Utah Motorsports Campus.

Official Results following the Arizona Lottery 100 at Phoenix International Raceway.
1. David Gilliland
2. Ty Gibbs
3. Taylor Gray
4. Todd Gilliland
5. Drew Dollar
6. Justin Lofton
7. Trevor Huddleston
8. Corey Heim
9. Gracie Trotter
10. Keith Rocco
11. Howie DiSavino III
12. Joey Iest
13. Alex Sedgwick, 1 lap down
14. Jesse Love, 2020 ARCA West Series Champion, 1 lap down
15. Chris Hacker, 2 laps down
16. Devin Dodson, 2 laps down
17. Todd Souza, 3 laps down
18. Kris Wright, 4 laps down
19. Cody Erickson, 5 laps down
20. Bobby Hillis Jr, 5 laps down
21. Sam Mayer, OUT, Crash
22. Bridget Burgess, 9 laps down
23. Tauma Koga, 22 laps down
24. Jack Wood, OUT, Crash
25. Blaine Perkins, OUT, Engine
26. Zane Smith, OUT, Crash
27. Gio Scelzi, OUT, Crash
Up Next: The 2020 ARCA Menards West Series season is now complete. Next for the series is the end of the year award banquet for the ARCA brand, which is currently slated for Tuesday night on Nov. 17. The event can be seen live on arcaracing.com and the ARCA Racing’s Facebook page.
November 7, 2020
Blaine Perkins takes ARCA West victory at Douglas County
Blaine Perkins in his No. 9 Sunrise Ford Bob Bruncati entry was able to fend off hard charger Gracie Trotter for his second victory of the race weekend. The victory was a sweep for Perkins, the California native, who also won Friday night at Evergreen Speedway.

“We’ve been on rails this weekend,” Perkins said to NBC post-race. “I’m so proud of these guys. They work so hard, especially with the two races in one weekend and they brought me really two fast race cars. Best of the year so far. Just getting some seat time with these guys, it’s been great, it’s been fun. Just a hats off to these guys. Jeff Schrader my crew chief, Bob Bruncait (Team Owner), for giving me this opportunity to drive this awesome No. 9 car. It’s a dream come true.”

“It wouldn’t be possible without all these people. Just pumped up. We did what we wanted to do. Got two wins and it feels great.”

150 laps made up the ENEOS / NAPA Auto Parts 150 from Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon. Gio Scelzi, driver of the No. 16 Bill McAnally NAPA entry, qualified on the pole.

Six cautions flew throughout the 150-lap race. Perkins’ first sight of the lead came on Lap 19 after a restart when he wrestled the lead away from pole-sitter Scelzi.

Prior to Perkins taking the lead, the first yellow of the night was on Lap 14 when the No. 27 of Bobby Hillis Jr. spun in Turn 2. His night only got worse as he caused another yellow on Lap 127.

While the caution flags would slow the field a couple of times, nothing would stop Gracie Trotter’s No. 99 machine, who was on the rear bumper of Perkins throughout the event. At one point, Trotter caught the No. 9 of Perkins who had slowed a little bit. However, Perkins picked up his pace again and checked out.

With Trotter having a good night running in the top five, Love had to earn his finishing spot the hard way. On Lap 115, Takuma Koga in the No. 77 got spun from behind with help from Love who received major hood damage to his No. 19 Toyota from the contact. Despite the hood damage, Love kept on going.

The final caution was seen with 15 to go when Holley Hollan got turned sideways in Turns 3 and 4 after contact with Todd Souza. The yellow set up a late-race restart with 13 to go.

Perkins managed to hold on to the lead for the final 12 circuits around the .375 mile speedway for his third win of the year in the ARCA Menards West Series. It was his third victory since his first win dating back to Utah Motorsports Park.

“It made me a little nervous,” Perkins noted when his car slowed momentarily. “I got in the gas off Turn 2 and the car popped out of gear. Thankfully, it didn’t do it again and got the lead, the checkered flag.”

Following behind Perkins’ car was Gracie Trotter, who recorded the best finish of her ARCA Menards West Series career of second place.

“I’m not really sure, but I do love the shorter bull-ring type tracks,” Trotter said to NBC about her second-place finish. “I always seem to figure out those places, I’m not sure why but I love it. Really good car today, too much on the tight side for me. I wish we would have loosened it up a little bit more in practice, but the crew gave me a really good car. Made it work with what we had, just one spot short. Tired of finishing third and second. So, I’m ready to go win at Colorado.”

Jesse Love remains the championship points leader.

“Have to be really aggressive on this place,” Love said. “You can kind of lose and gain a lot of momentum in a span of two laps, right? So, you had to take whatever you can get and maybe I was a little bit too clean in the beginning. But, we’re the best team here. Our performance is not where we should be running. We’re going to get our mojo back here. We did it once, we’re going to do it again. Have the best team in the pits and we’re going to make a lot of it. We’re still the points leader, so we’ll keep carrying that momentum.”

The margin of victory was .376 seconds Perkins over Trotter.

There were six cautions for 24 laps. Pole sitter Scelzi led the first 15 laps while Perkins led the final 135 laps.

Official Results following the ENEOS / NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Douglas County Speedway
1. Blaine Perkins, led 135 laps
2. Gracie Trotter
3. Jesse Love
4. Gio Scelzi, led 15 laps
5. Trevor Huddleston
6. Jack Wood
7. Holley Hollan, 1 lap down
8. Takuma Koga, 4 laps down
9. Bridget Burgess, 5 laps down
10. Bobby Hillis Jr, 8 laps down
11. Todd Souza, 12 laps down
Up Next: The ARCA Menards Series West visits Colorado National Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 22 live on NBC Sports Trackpass.
August 9, 2020
Mayer dominates ARCA Menards Series West in first race back at Bullring
After leading 138 of the scheduled 150 laps and sitting on the pole, Mayer was once again victorious for the second consecutive time this season, earning his first ARCA West Series win at the Bullring. The victory was an emotional win for Mayer and company.

It’s been over eight years ago (2012) since the ARCA Menards Series West (previously NASCAR K&N Pro Series West) last raced at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring. One of the names making early headlines so far in the 2020 season is standout Sam Mayer for GMS Racing. Mayer also competed in the ARCA East race last week at New Symrna and scored the victory. As for the Bullring, he was looking to once again go to victory lane for the second time in a row this season.

Mayer was driving a Spencer Clark tribute car. Clark, who got his start at Las Vega, was killed in an automobile accident in 2006 when he was only 19-years-old.

“Yeah, this is so special,” Mayer said to NBCSN. “I’ve never had a connection to Spencer (Clark) being with the team. I actually feel that connection, so it’s really special to have him on the car and it’s really emotional. Even before the race, we were feeling the emotions of it, now we’re going to feel it after a victory like that. We definitely would have done what Spencer would have done. Go out and wax the field. I can’t thank GMS enough for bringing the best car out here today and we’re going to enjoy this one for sure.”

“I don’t want to pinch myself because I hope I’m not dreaming,” Mayer said after the win. “This is a heck of a way to start a year for sure. New era, new freakin’ everything. Obviously it’s a new me too. Hopefully, we can continue this grind of getting wins left and right and hopefully get into Victory Lane all the time.”

As noted, once the Star Nursery 150 got underway, Mayer’s car was like a rocket leading almost every single lap. However, it wasn’t that easy for him to get the victory. Jesse Love in the No. 19 took the lead for 14 laps before Mayer was able to get it back. It seemed like nothing could stop the Franklin, Wisconsin native, even the few cautions that fell in the quick race.

It seemed as though the cautions were few and far between. The first fell on Lap 25 when the No. 12 of Lawless Alan made slight contact with the No. 16 of Gio Scelzi who went around off Turn 4. Then, 39 laps later, the second caution came out for the No. 7 of Austin Reed as he spun in Turn 2. Reed had some help from Scelzi. On Lap 80, the third yellow of the night came for the No. 17 of Zach Telford. Telford lost his brakes on the frontstretch and came to a stop. Telford would wind up in 16th place.

After these few quick cautions, Mayer continued to set the pace at blistering speeds by lapping up to seventh place at one point. Then one final caution stacked the field up one more time for a restart with eight to go with Mayer as the leader. In the end, it was basically the story of the night for the GMS driver as he picked up his second win of the 2020 season.

Despite the dominating win, a few drivers, including Mayer, had brake rotor problems. But, he says one of the cautions helped him with that issue.

“About halfway through the race, my brakes pretty much went away,” Mayer added to NBCSN. “Thank god that caution came out because I was able to cool them down a little bit again. It was a tough race and this place is a lot harder on the brakes than I thought it was going to be, but that’s what makes a race team and racecar driver, perseverance through some adversity.”

Just four cautions slowed the pace in the 150-lap race and only one lead change occurred.

Official Results
1. Sam Mayer, led 138 laps
2. Jesse Love, led 13 laps
3. Blaine Perkins
4. Gracie Trotter
5. Trevor Huddleston
6. Lawless Alan
7. Jack Wood
8. Todd Souza
9. Austin Reed, one lap down
10. Gio Scelzi, two laps down
11. Takuma Koga, three laps down
12. Holley Hollan, three laps down
13. Bobby Hillis Jr, 13 laps down
14. Joey Iest, 45 laps down
15. Chirs Lowden, 52 laps down
16. Zach Telford, 71 laps down
17. Bridget Burgess, 110 laps down
Up Next: The ARCA Menards West Series’ next race is Saturday night, March 28. at Irwindale Speedway.
February 21, 2020