COLE DENTON BATTLES TO LEAD-LAP FINISH IN RAIN-SHORTENED PHOENIX RACE
16-Year-Old ARCA West Rookie Finishes 15th as Jan's Towing Racing Prepares for Season Finale at Kern Raceway
AVONDALE, Ariz. (October 18, 2026) — Cole Denton added another full-distance finish to his rookie NASCAR development campaign Saturday night, bringing the No. 71 Jan's Towing Racing Ford home in 15th place in the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway after an eventful ARCA Menards Series West race ended under caution due to rain.
The 16-year-old from Pascagoula, Mississippi, qualified 13th among 27 competitors with a 28.403-second lap at 126.747 mph, placing him in the middle of a competitive field that included several of the series' leading drivers.
Denton stayed on the lead lap throughout the event, which ran 14 laps longer than its scheduled 100 laps after a series of late-race cautions and overtime attempts.
The closing laps produced several incidents as competitors battled for position. As rain began to fall during overtime, officials couldn't restart the race and ultimately declared Max Reaves the winner after 114 laps.
Denton was among just 15 drivers credited with completing the full race distance. His Jan's Towing Racing teammate Robbie Kennealy finished 10th, giving the organization two lead-lap finishes.
A Season of Growth and Success
While the Phoenix result wasn't the finish Denton and his team had hoped for, the 2026 season has already delivered significant accomplishments for the young driver in his first full ARCA Menards Series West campaign.
Denton has shown he can compete with experienced drivers, capturing victories at Tucson Speedway in April and Tri-City Raceway in June.
His season has also included strong qualifying performances and multiple runs near the front of the field, establishing him as one of the series' promising young competitors.
Earlier this month, Denton delivered an impressive third-place finish in the inaugural Kyle Busch Classic at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Starting seventh, he worked his way into contention and was running second before the final overtime restart.
The podium finish reinforced the speed and competitiveness Denton and Jan's Towing Racing have shown all season.
For the Mississippi teenager, each race continues to provide valuable experience as he develops his skills on a variety of tracks, from short ovals to larger facilities such as Phoenix Raceway.
One More Opportunity in 2026
With the Phoenix race complete, Denton and Jan's Towing Racing now turn their attention to the ARCA Menards Series West season finale at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, California.
Denton opened his 2026 ARCA West campaign at the half-mile facility in February, finishing 10th in his first appearance of the season.
Returning to a familiar track gives him another chance to apply the experience he gained during his rookie campaign and close the season on a positive note.
The NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET, with live streaming coverage on FloRacing.
About Cole Denton
Cole Denton is a 16-year-old race car driver from Pascagoula, Mississippi, competing in the ARCA Menards Series West with Jan's Towing Racing. A rising talent in American stock car racing, Denton has built an impressive racing résumé that includes championships in INEX Legends competition and victories in multiple racing divisions. In 2026, he captured his first two ARCA Menards Series West victories at Tucson Speedway and Tri-City Raceway while continuing to develop his skills against some of the sport's top emerging competitors. Denton also supports the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, helping raise awareness for children and families battling pediatric cancer.
For more information, visit www.coledentonracing.com.
About Jan's Towing Racing
Jan's Towing Racing is a competitive stock car racing organization participating in the ARCA Menards Series West. Led by team owner Jan Qualkenbush, the organization fields Ford race cars for emerging drivers, including Cole Denton, and is committed to driver development, competitive performance, and building opportunities for young talent within NASCAR's developmental racing ranks.
About the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children battling pediatric cancer by pairing them with local sports teams, clubs and communities. Through its adoption program, the foundation creates lasting relationships that provide children and their families with friendship, encouragement and emotional support throughout their journey. Founded by Denis Murphy in honor of his daughter, Jaclyn, the foundation has connected children with sports organizations across the country, creating a support network that extends far beyond the playing field.
For more information, visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.
About the ARCA Menards Series West
The ARCA Menards Series West is a NASCAR-sanctioned regional stock car racing series that serves as an important development platform for aspiring professional drivers. Competing on a diverse schedule of short tracks, intermediate ovals, and road courses throughout the western United States, the series provides young competitors with valuable experience as they pursue opportunities in NASCAR's national touring divisions.
For more information, visit www.arcaracing.com.
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