Tyler Reif Shows Speed at Phoenix but Faces Tough Ending
- Troy Smith
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 11
The second race of the 2025 ARCA Menards West Series season, combined with the national ARCA Menards Series, delivered intense action at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, March 7. Among the standout performances of the night was Tyler Reif, who showcased both skill and determination before an unfortunate late-race incident ended his run.
A Strong Start for Reif
Due to rain, practice and qualifying were canceled, and the starting grid was set by the 2024 owners' rankings. Reif, undeterred by the lack of track time before the green flag, wasted no time making moves. On the opening laps, he surged forward from a 6th starting position up into the top three.
As the race progressed, Tyler Reif continued to showcase impressive pace, battling through the pack and finding himself in contention at the front. By the race’s halfway point, he had moved up to second place, passing early leader Brent Crews. This put him in a strong position for the final stretch of the event.
Taking the Lead and a Late-Race Setback
After the break and on lap 83, Reif took full advantage of the restart and seized the lead, diving inside at the dogleg. However, the battle at the front remained intense. Crews quickly countered, regaining the lead just a couple of laps later.
As the race neared its conclusion, Reif found himself running in third when a late caution set up an overtime restart. Unfortunately, in the frantic final moments, a chain reaction unfolded. As the field accelerated, Reif was hit in the dogleg by Thad Moffitt, sending his No. 23 Sigma Performance Services car into a hard crash against the pit exit wall. While miraculously uninjured, his night came to a crushing end.
Looking Ahead
Despite the tough finish, Tyler Reif once again proved why he is a driver to watch in the ARCA Menards Series. His ability to fight through the field and lead laps highlights his growing potential. As the season continues, expect Reif and the Sigma Performance Services team to bounce back stronger, ready to contend for wins in upcoming races.
Stay tuned as the journey continues for Tyler Reif and Sigma Performance Services in the 2025 ARCA Menards Series season!
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