COLE DENTON BATTLES TO THIRD IN WILD INAUGURAL KYLE BUSCH CLASSIC AT LAS VEGAS BULLRING
16-Year-Old Battles for Lead Late Before Surviving Overtime Thriller; Jan's Towing Racing Scores Impressive 2-3 Finish
LAS VEGAS (October 3, 2026) — Cole Denton continued his impressive rookie campaign in the ARCA Menards Series West Friday night, racing his way from seventh to third in a wild inaugural Kyle Busch Classic presented by Star Nursery at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Driving the No. 71 Jan's Towing Racing Ford, the 16-year-old from Pascagoula, Mississippi, spent much of the night inside the top five and emerged as a serious contender for the victory during the closing stages of the 167-lap event.
The weekend carried additional significance as the inaugural Kyle Busch Classic honored the late Las Vegas native and two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Busch had been inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 one night earlier during the organization's induction gala at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa.
Denton and members of the Jan's Towing Racing organization attended the Hall of Fame celebration before turning their attention to Friday night's race at the .375-mile Bullring.
After qualifying seventh with a lap of 15.734 seconds, Denton wasted little time moving forward. He established himself inside the top five and remained in contention through a race filled with cautions, restarts and intense short-track racing.
With 34 laps remaining, Denton had worked his way directly onto the rear bumper of race leader Trevor Huddleston and began applying pressure for the top spot.
Following another caution two laps later, Denton lined up alongside Huddleston for the restart. The two battled aggressively through Turns 1 and 2 and again exiting Turn 4 as Denton searched for a way around the defending ARCA West champion.
The complexion of the race changed again with two laps remaining when Hailie Deegan hit the wall, sending the event into overtime.
What followed was a chaotic series of restarts that shuffled the front of the field.
Huddleston and Mason Massey battled for the lead on the first overtime attempt before Jan's Towing Racing's Robbie Kennealy made it three-wide entering Turn 3. Contact sent Massey and Huddleston spinning and forced another restart.
That set up a final one-lap shootout with Kennealy and Taylor Mayhew at the front and Denton still very much in contention.
Mayhew made an aggressive move entering Turn 3 on the final lap, getting to Kennealy's bumper and opening the door to a three-wide drag race to the checkered flag. Mayhew captured his first career ARCA Menards Series West victory by just 0.045 seconds over Kennealy, with Denton crossing the line third only 0.196 seconds behind the winner.
The result gave Jan's Towing Racing two cars on the podium in one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2026 ARCA West season.
"Oh man, the No. 71 Jan's Towing, Jan's Racing Ford was on rails tonight," said Denton. "Thanks to my crew chief and the whole team. We had a car capable of winning. It was just one of those nights where the overtime restarts didn't go our way, but I'm proud of what we put together out here at the Bullring."
[NOTE: Replace Cole's quote above with his complete post-race comments when available.]
For Denton, the podium was also an important rebound after a mechanical failure ended a promising run early at Madera Speedway one week earlier.
Through 11 races in his rookie ARCA Menards Series West campaign, Denton has now earned two victories, five top-five finishes, eight top-10 finishes and three General Tire Pole Awards, continuing a breakout season that has established the Mississippi teenager as one of the series' top young competitors.
Only two races remain on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West schedule. Denton and the No. 71 Jan's Towing Racing team will next travel to Phoenix Raceway on October 17 before the season concludes at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway on October 31.
About Cole Denton
Cole Denton, 16, is a native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, competing full-time in the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West in the No. 71 Ford for Jan's Towing Racing. Denton began racing go-karts at age four before advancing through Bandoleros and Legends Cars, developing a reputation as a patient and talented young driver.
In 2022, Denton enjoyed a remarkable season that included 40 victories in 62 starts, 59 podium finishes and 12 championships, highlighted by the INEX National Bandolero Championship. He continued his development through Legends competition before making the transition into full-bodied stock cars.
During his 2026 rookie ARCA Menards Series West campaign, Denton has earned victories at Tucson Speedway and Tri-City Raceway along with multiple podium finishes and three General Tire Pole Awards.
Denton is guided and represented by Race Face Brand Development.
For more information, visit coledentonracing.com.
About Jan's Towing Racing
Jan's Towing Racing, based in Glendora, California, competes in the ARCA Menards Series West under the leadership of team owner Jan Qualkenbush. The organization fields entries for Cole Denton and Robbie Kennealy, both of whom have established themselves as regular front-running competitors during the 2026 season.
The team's performance in the inaugural Kyle Busch Classic showcased that strength, with Kennealy and Denton finishing second and third, respectively, and crossing the finish line separated by just 0.151 seconds.
"This team is about more than just results on the track," said Qualkenbush. "It's about the people behind the scenes, the crew members, partners, families and supporters who put in the work every single day. Robbie and Cole both represent the dedication, professionalism and competitive spirit that define Jan's Racing."
About Friends of Jaclyn Foundation
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ), founded by Denis Murphy, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and young adults battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses.
Through its signature adoption program, FOJ pairs children and their families with college, high school and professional sports teams, surrounding them with a community of athletes, coaches and supporters who provide friendship, encouragement and a sense of belonging during incredibly difficult circumstances.
Cole Denton is proud to support the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation and its mission to create meaningful relationships that bring strength, hope and joy to children and families.
For more information, visit friendsofjaclyn.org.
Media Contact:
Rod Wortham
Race Face Brand Development
rod@racefacebd.com