The biggest surprise in short track racing came when the checkered flag never flew. Hailie Deegan took the win at Kern Raceway on October 31, 2026, but she did not finish the full 150 laps. A red flag from heavy rain halted the event after just 42 laps, and officials called the race early. This outcome changed the season finale for the ARCA Menards Series West in Bakersfield, California.
Deegan held off Mia Lovell to secure the top spot on the leaderboard. Lovell started on the front row alongside Deegan, but the young driver made a move that stuck. According to RacingNews.co, Lovell got loose on the bottom while Deegan cleared the corner. The two ran side-by-side for the lead until Lovell wiggled on the inside. Deegan pulled ahead and stayed in front before the weather moved in.
The Weather That Stopped the Show
Rain rolled into the area and forced a delay that turned into a stoppage. The red flag came out after Sam Corry spun behind the leaders with help from Joey Iest. A several hours delay followed, but the track could not dry in time. RacingNews.co reported that the race was called due to weather conditions. The drivers who completed the 42 laps were declared the official finishers. This decision saved the season finale from a complete washout.
Johnson Jr. spun off turn four earlier in the run, which brought out the first caution. That incident set the stage for the chaos that followed. The field fought hard for space into turn one as the green flag dropped. Fans expected a long battle for the championship title, but nature had other plans. The 42-lap distance meant every position mattered even more than usual.
Who Made the Cut on Sunday
Hailie Deegan finished first after the race was called off. Mia Lovell took second place, followed by Hudson Sharp in third. Taylor Mayhew, Trevor Huddleston, and Robbie Kennealy rounded out the top six. The official results list 25 drivers who completed the distance or were classified. Cole Denton, Tanner Huddleston, and Mason Massey finished in positions seven through nine. Vito Cancilla, Sean Hingorani, and Wesley Slimp took the next three spots.
Tyler Tomassi, Kenna Mitchell, and Gavin Ray finished in the top 15. Ian Wood, Sam Corry, and Esteban Rodriguez also completed the event. Cody Dennison and Eric Johnson Jr. finished one lap down. Joey Iest, Josiah Reaume, and Donald Witkowski were two laps down. Ray Bolinger and David Smith finished three laps behind the leader. The short distance meant even the last-place finishers stayed on the track.
This result shows how quickly things can change in stock car racing. Drivers prepare for 150 laps of hard fighting, but one storm can end it all. Deegan’s win proves that speed and timing matter more than total distance. She capitalized on the lead when the race stopped. The championship points will count based on these 42 laps. This adds a new layer of drama to the season finale.
Short track racing often brings unpredictable results, but weather is the ultimate wild card. The drivers who started on the front row had the best chance to survive. Lovell and Deegan showed why they were the favorites to win. Now the focus shifts to the next event on the schedule. Fans will want to see if the track can handle more rain before the next race.
The next scheduled action comes on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The NASCAR Cup Series will race at Martinsville Speedway. The race starts at 2:00pm ET on NBC. This event marks race 9 of 10 in The Chase. Drivers will need to be ready for a fast 0.526-mile oval. The weather at Kern Raceway did not stop the racing season from moving forward. The fans will see more action on Sunday.