The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame will join NASCAR’s ARCA Menard Series West in 2024 to enhance the visibility of both organizations.

The Hall of Fame, which dates to 2001, is the most significant of its type in the western United States. It counts among its inductees stars of the post-war stock car racing series which became NASCAR Grand National West in 1954. Most of its previous champions have been enshrined in Hall, including three-time champion Eric Holmes whose induction will be celebrated on June 6.

The Automobile Racing Club of America, founded in 1953 as Midwest Auto Racing Club by John Marcum, was purchased by NASCAR in 2018. The NASCAR West Series, as well as the organization’s East Series, came under the ARCA Menards Series umbrella in 2020. As a part of NASCAR’s national touring footprint, ARCA has produced a number of NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series stars.

Ken Clapp, West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame chairman and CEO, is a retired NASCAR Senior Vice President of Western Operations. A part of stock car racing since 1951, Clapp has promoted nearly 200 NASCAR West events.

“Stock Car racing – particularly the West Series – has been a part of my life since I was in high school,” said Clapp. “Our Hall of Fame celebrates the legacy of well over 100 famous competitors, not only from stock cars but also other forms of nationally and internationally sanctioned events. It was an easy decision to become more involved in the sponsorship and other promotional activities with NASCAR’s ARCA Menards Series West which we believe will aid and grow our charitable outreach.”

“The West Series and its member tracks are graduating many young people into national racing series, including 2023 ARCA Menards Series champion Jesse Love, a now Xfinity Series competitor for Richard Childress Racing. Love is a graduate of Madera Speedway’s Jr. Late Model program.”

“Ken Clapp and the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame have been great supporters and partners of the ARCA Menards West Series, with a history that reaches back to long before the ARCA brand became involved,” said Ron Drager, ARCA president. “We respect and appreciate what the Hall represents and its ongoing efforts to recognize and raise up its inductees and the sport, and welcome the benefit it provides to the tracks, race teams and entire community of the West Series of today.”

The 2024 ARCA Menards West Series schedule consists of 12 events including a March 8 National/West combination race at Phoenix Raceway, won by William Sawalich. The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame will sponsor the July 6 150-lap race at Irwindale Speedway and will be the presenting sponsor of April 20 and October 26 races at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, as well as Irwindale’s July 4 NAPA Auto Parts 150 and the Oct. 5 event at All-American Speedway.

WCSCHOF PR