Cole Denton Dominates Tri-City for Second ARCA West Victory
WEST RICHLAND, Wash. — Rising stock car prospect Cole Denton continued his remarkable 2026 season Saturday night, dominating the ARCA Menards Series West NAPA Auto Care 150 Greg Biffle Memorial at Tri-City Raceway by setting a new track record, earning the General Tire Pole Award, and capturing his second series victory of the year.
Driving the No. 71 Jan's Racing Ford, Denton was the class of the field throughout the weekend at the .410-mile tri-oval located in West Richland, Washington. The 15-year-old topped the speed charts in practice, shattered the ARCA Menards Series West track record with a qualifying lap of 18.578 seconds, and capped off the evening by celebrating in Victory Lane.
The pole position marked Denton's second of the season and further cemented a nickname that has quickly followed him around the ARCA Menards Series West garage: "Pole Denton."
While Denton started from the top spot, the race was far from easy. ARCA Menards Series West points leader Trevor Huddleston provided constant pressure throughout the evening. Huddleston briefly grabbed the lead on the opening start, but Denton remained composed and reclaimed the top position on a later restart before fending off multiple challenges over the remainder of the event.
With several restarts bunching up the field and putting the pressure squarely on the young driver, Denton never wavered, showcasing the maturity and racecraft that continue to make him one of the brightest young talents in stock car racing.
"Every track we've been to this year has been a new track for me," Denton said. "This was my first time ever on a tri-oval. I love this track. Turn one, turn two, and turn three are all different, and it's so awesome."
The victory was especially impressive considering Denton had never competed at Tri-City Raceway prior to race weekend. While the Washington facility was new to him, Denton arrived with confidence built through extensive preparation. Known for his dedication away from the race track, he spends countless hours on the simulator before each event, often turning hundreds of laps on tracks with similar characteristics when an exact replica is unavailable.
That commitment to preparation allows Denton to quickly understand unfamiliar tracks and focus on maximizing speed as soon as he unloads. The approach has become one of the hallmarks of his success and was evident throughout the weekend.
"This team gave me an incredible race car all weekend long," said Denton. "To set the track record, win the pole, and then bring home the trophy is something I'll never forget. Thank you to Mr. Jan, the entire Jan's Racing team, my crew chief Chris Greaney, my spotter Ron Norman, and everyone who helps make this possible."
The victory marks Denton's second ARCA Menards Series West win of the season, following his breakthrough victory earlier this year at Tucson Speedway. With two victories, multiple poles, and a growing reputation for adapting quickly to unfamiliar race tracks, Denton continues to establish himself as one of the series' emerging stars and one of the most promising young drivers in stock car racing. The victory further solidified Denton's position among the series contenders, as he currently sits third in the ARCA Menards Series West championship standings.
Up next for Denton will be another new challenge as the ARCA Menards Series West heads to Sonoma Raceway on June 26. The event will mark Denton's first road course start in a full-bodied stock car. As he prepares for one of the most technical circuits on the schedule, the simulator will once again play a major role as he works to familiarize himself with Sonoma's elevation changes, braking zones, and challenging turns before arriving in Northern California.
About Cole Denton
Cole Denton is a 15-year-old race car driver from Pascagoula, Mississippi, competing in the ARCA Menards Series West and other premier stock car racing divisions. Known for his work ethic, adaptability, and speed, Denton continues to build an impressive résumé while pursuing his dream of climbing the NASCAR ladder.
About Jan's Racing
Jan's Racing is a championship-caliber organization competing in the ARCA Menards Series West. The team is dedicated to developing young talent while providing race-winning equipment and opportunities for the next generation of motorsports stars.
About the ARCA Menards Series West
The ARCA Menards Series West serves as one of North America's premier developmental stock car racing series, providing drivers with valuable experience on short tracks, speedways, road courses, and unique facilities throughout the western United States.
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