PART FAILURE ENDS PROMISING MADERA RUN EARLY FOR COLE DENTON
15-Year-Old ARCA West Rookie Shows Speed Before Mechanical Issue Sidelines No. 71 Jan’s Towing Ford After 25 Laps
MADERA, Calif. — Sometimes in racing, the result sheet tells only a small part of the story.
For 15-year-old Cole Denton, Saturday night’s ARCA Menards Series West Madera 150 at Madera Speedway was one of those nights.
Denton and the No. 71 Jan’s Towing Racing Ford showed competitive speed throughout the day at the historic one-third-mile oval, with the Pascagoula, Mississippi, driver posting the seventh-fastest time in practice among the 21-car field.
Denton followed that performance by qualifying 10th with a lap of 15.024 seconds at 79.792 mph, placing him just 0.216 seconds behind the pole-winning time.
With the car showing speed and 150 laps ahead, Denton entered the race looking to work his way forward on a track where he already had plenty of experience.
Unfortunately, he never got the opportunity.
A mechanical part failure brought the No. 71 Ford to an early stop after just 25 laps, ending Denton’s night and leaving the team with a 21st-place finish.
“We qualified well and the car felt good,” Denton said. “We suffered a part failure and that ended our night, so it’s disappointing. I want to thank my crew, my sponsors, my family and God. We’ll be back.”
While the result was not what Denton or the Jan’s Towing Racing team wanted, one difficult night does little to diminish what has been an impressive rookie campaign.
Through the first 10 races of the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West season, Denton has already collected two victories and a series-leading three pole awards. He currently sits sixth in the championship standings and ranks second among series competitors in laps led, demonstrating the speed and competitiveness the rookie has shown throughout his first full season.
Denton wasted little time proving he belonged at the ARCA West level.
In April, he captured the pole and his first career ARCA West victory at Tucson Speedway. He followed that performance in June at Tri-City Raceway by once again winning the pole and then leading 101 of 150 laps on his way to his second career series victory.
Earlier this month at All American Speedway, Denton added his third pole of the season, further establishing the nickname that has followed him throughout his rookie campaign: “Pole Denton.”
Saturday’s return to Madera carried additional significance for Denton. The California short track played an important role in his development as he transitioned from Bandoleros and Legend Cars into full-bodied stock cars, and he entered the weekend already knowing what it felt like to visit Victory Lane at the facility.
This time, however, racing dealt him a different hand.
Rather than dwelling on a result caused by a mechanical failure, Denton and the Jan’s Towing Racing team will quickly turn their attention to another opportunity.
The ARCA Menards Series West season continues Friday, October 2, with the Kyle Busch Classic presented by Star Nursery at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event will be the 11th race of the 13-race championship schedule.
Following Las Vegas, the series heads to Phoenix Raceway on October 17 before closing the 2026 season at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on October 31.
For Denton, there are still three races and three more opportunities to add to a rookie season that has already produced two wins, three poles and one of the highest laps-led totals in the series.
DENTON TO APPEAR ON GREAT AMERICAN ROAD RALLY OCTOBER 14
Race fans will get an opportunity to see another side of Cole Denton away from the racetrack when his episode of the Great American Road Rally (GARR) airs Wednesday, October 14 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW Network.
Denton participated in the Route 66 adventure in support of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, joining fellow competitors, celebrities and supporters in raising awareness for children and families battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses.
Cole’s GARR adventure also includes a challenge that has nothing to do with horsepower — taking on the legendary 72-ounce steak challenge.
Does he finish it?
Tune in October 14 to find out.
About Cole Denton
Cole Denton, a native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, began racing at age four and developed through go-karts, Bandoleros, Legend Cars and late models before making the move to the ARCA Menards Series West. Denton captured the INEX Bandolero National Championship at age 12 and continued his development through the Madera Speedway junior late model program. In his 2026 rookie ARCA West season with Jan’s Towing Racing, Denton has earned two victories and a series-leading three pole awards. Through 10 races, he sits sixth in the championship standings and ranks second in laps led.
About Jan’s Towing Racing
Jan’s Towing Racing, owned by Jan Qualkenbush, competes in the ARCA Menards Series West with Ford entries for Cole Denton and Robbie Kennealy. The organization combines experienced leadership and driver development with a competitive race program focused on developing the next generation of stock-car talent.
About Friends of Jaclyn Foundation
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation works to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses by pairing them with local sports teams that “adopt” them as part of their team. These relationships provide children and their families with an extended team offering love, friendship and support throughout their journey, creating meaningful relationships that often extend far beyond the playing field or racetrack.
Media Contact:
Rod Wortham
Race Face Brand Development
rod@racefacebd.com