In a thrilling charge against the top ARCA Menards National Series teams from across the country, at just 15 years old, Tyler Reif delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. Making history on the way—becoming the first West Coast driver and team to win a NASCAR ARCA Menards National Series race.

This wasn’t just any event. The Phoenix race is part of ARCA’s elite National Division, a battleground typically dominated by powerhouse teams from across the nation—East Coast teams that had won every previous running. But on this night, it was the West Coast’s own Lowden Jackson Motorsports Team—and 15-year-old phenom Tyler Reif—who stood triumphant in victory lane.

Behind the scenes, LJM Motorsports co-partner Matt Jackson played a pivotal role in the team preparation leading up to the race. Also as Tyler’s driver coach, Matt dedicated extensive time with Tyler on simulator work in the weeks prior—zeroing in on perfecting Turn Two, the fastest and most critical corner at Phoenix. The secret to mastering it? Dropping the car below the yellow line at just the right moment to position the car on exit for optimal grip—a move that demands both timing and precision. That focused training paid off in spectacular fashion, as Tyler executed this technique flawlessly to make the decisive, race-winning pass in turn two propelling him to victory on the final lap.

It was a true masterclass in perseverance, preparation, and execution—and a defining moment for West Coast racing.