COLE DENTON EARNS THIRD POLE OF 2026, LEADS LAPS AT ALL AMERICAN SPEEDWAY
15-Year-Old Continues Breakout ARCA Menards Series West Season with Sixth-Place Finish at Roseville
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Cole Denton continued to demonstrate why he has become one of the young drivers to watch in the ARCA Menards Series West, earning his third General Tire Pole Award of the 2026 season Saturday night at All American Speedway before leading laps and finishing sixth in the NAPA Auto Parts 150.
The 15-year-old from Pascagoula, Mississippi, put the No. 71 Jan's Racing Ford at the top of the qualifying charts in the 19-car field and once again showed an ability to quickly adapt to an unfamiliar racetrack.
When the green flag dropped, Denton didn't just have qualifying speed — he had a car capable of winning.
Racing for the Lead
After briefly losing the top spot on the opening lap, Denton quickly regained the lead following an early caution and established himself as one of the strongest cars in the field.
Much of the race became a battle between Denton and defending ARCA Menards Series West champion Trevor Huddleston.
Huddleston eventually worked his way around Denton for the lead, but the young Mississippi driver stayed within striking distance. Denton battled back through traffic and returned to the front on Lap 82, continuing a hard-fought fight for the top spot.
The closing portion of the race ultimately changed the complexion of Denton's night. Restarts and traffic shuffled the running order, and a late caution set up a five-lap shootout to the finish.
Denton crossed the line sixth, a result that didn't fully reflect the speed the No. 71 showed throughout the evening.
Three Poles, Two Wins and Counting
While the sixth-place finish wasn't what Denton and Jan's Racing were looking for after starting from the pole and racing for the lead, the bigger picture continues to be impressive.
Through nine races in his 2026 ARCA Menards Series West campaign, Denton has already earned three pole positions and two victories, including wins at Tucson Speedway and Tri-City Raceway.
Perhaps more impressive is how those results have come.
The majority of the tracks on the ARCA West schedule have been completely new to Denton. Extensive simulator preparation before each event has helped him shorten the learning curve, but once he arrives at the racetrack, it's up to the driver and team to translate that preparation into performance.
So far, they have.
Whether qualifying at the front, leading laps or racing against experienced ARCA West competitors, Denton and the No. 71 Jan's Racing team have consistently demonstrated race-winning speed throughout the season.
At just 15 years old, every new track provides another opportunity to learn — and increasingly, another opportunity to contend for a win.
Up Next
Denton and Jan's Racing return to ARCA Menards Series West competition at Madera Speedway in Madera, California, on September 26.
With three poles and two victories already on the board in 2026, the No. 71 team will look to add another strong performance as Denton's rookie campaign continues.
About Cole Denton
Cole Denton is a 15-year-old race car driver from Pascagoula, Mississippi, competing full-time in the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West with Jan's Racing. A former INEX Bandolero champion and multi-time INEX Legend Car champion, Denton has earned two ARCA West victories and three pole positions during his rookie season. He is guided and represented by Race Face Brand Development.
About Jan's Racing
Jan's Racing competes in the ARCA Menards Series West with the No. 71 Ford. Led by team owner Jan Qualkenbush and crew chief Chris Greaney, the organization has provided Denton with competitive equipment throughout his rookie campaign, earning multiple victories and pole positions together in 2026.
About the ARCA Menards Series West
The ARCA Menards Series West is a NASCAR-sanctioned regional stock car series featuring competition at short tracks, speedways and road courses throughout the western United States. The series has served as an important developmental platform for drivers advancing through NASCAR's racing ladder.
Media Contact:
Rod Wortham | Race Face Brand Development
rod@racefacebd.com