After a vicious wreck in the last race at DuQuoin, Max Reaves was able to break through with a dominating performance during Saturday’s Spruce 212 at Salem Speedway.
Driving the No. 18 Cook Out Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, Reaves started out the day by winning the Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Award for the third time in 2026. He proceeded to lead all 216 laps in an overtime shootout to grab his third career ARCA Menards Series win, and his fourth of 2026.
“Last year we were really good, but it didn’t turn out great,” Reaves said post-race. “My guys brought me such a fast Cook Out Camry this week, and I’m just thankful for all them.”
“We were so fast,” Reaves continued. “I got a little nervous there, but we were the best one to beat. I’ve got to thank all my guys for everything, and I’ve got to thank everybody at Cook Out. I’m just happy to win here after last year.”
ARCA Menards Series points leader Jake Bollman earned his second consecutive runner-up finish as he continues with consistent runs. He came up just short of the victory, but was able to extend the points gap on Nitro Motorsports teammate Thomas Annunziata by 13 points.
Will Kimmel in his hometown race picked up a third-place finish, his first top five of the year. Despite an early spin, Landon S. Huffman (who was recently announced to make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway in the No. 43 for SPS Racing), rebounded and came home with a fourth place effort. Isabella Robusto was able to have luck on her side as she rounded out the top-five positions.
ARCA Menards Series East points leader Tristan McKee ran in the top three most of the night, until a late restart dropped him back and he settled for the sixth spot. Thomas Annunziata, who was involved in an incident with the lap car of Ben Peterson with 16 laps to go, picked up seventh. Gavan Boschele, Austin Vaughn, and Carson Brown completed the top-10 spots.
The ARCA Menards Series competitiors will be back in action on September 17 at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bush’s Beans 200, where the ARCA Menards Series East will have their season finale, and the second-to-last race of the national division.
Spruce 212 Race Results
- #18 Max Reaves
- #20 Jake Bollman
- #69 Will Kimmel
- #97 Landon S. Huffman
- #55 Isabella Robusto
- #77 Tristan McKee
- #70 Thomas Annunziata
- #25 Gavan Boschele
- #91 Austin Vaughn
- #28 Carson Brown (-1 Lap)
- #11 Mike Basham (-8 Laps)
- #10 Ed Pompa (-9 Laps)
- #12 Takuma Koga (-12 Laps)
- #99 Michael Maples (-15 Laps)
- #86 Jeff Maconi (-22 Laps)
- #48 Brad Smith (-25 Laps)
- #89 Quinn Davis (-39 Laps)
- #42 Taylor Mayhew (OUT)
- #06 Ben Peterson (OUT)
- #03 Alex Clubb (OUT)
- #81 Kevin Campbell (OUT)
- #68 Nate Moeller (OUT)
- #79 Matt Kemp (OUT)
