Brent Crews claimed victory over Brenden Queen in an intense ARCA Menards Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 25, further intensifying their growing Brenden Queen ARCA race rivalry. This win marked Crews’ third ARCA triumph this season, following a hard-fought comeback after a disappointing outing at Dover.
Crews Bounces Back to Edge Out Queen at Indianapolis Raceway Park
After struggling in his last race at Dover, where he was faster than Queen during practice but ultimately crashed out, Brent Crews returned stronger to outpace Queen in the LiUNA! 150 presented by Dutch Boy. Throughout much of the event, Queen had appeared dominant; however, Crews’ persistence paid off late in the race.
Crews expressed his exhaustion but credited his team’s effort during the mid-race break for his strong finish.
“But this JGR group did an absolutely fabulous job at the break there. The 28 car was really good the first half and, honestly, I was doing everything I had to try to hang with him. I knew we had something. I knew Matt [Ross] and the crew had something up their sleeve to give me that extra little bit at the halfway break and that’s exactly what he did. This JBL Toyota Camry was lights out tonight and I’m grateful to be here and excited to go run the No. 1 truck tonight.”
—Brent Crews, Driver
Key Race Moments Shaping the Finish
The turning point occurred on lap 23 during a restart when Crews and Queen made contact after Crews drifted up the track. Both managed to regain control without incident, allowing Lawless Alan to briefly seize the lead. However, Queen quickly returned to the front, maintaining pressure on Crews.
With roughly 60 laps remaining, Crews closed the gap and repeatedly attempted to pass Queen along the low line. On lap 94, he successfully took the lead for the first time in the race, breaking Queen’s hold on the front.
A late-race caution set the stage for another critical restart with 37 laps to go. Crews held firm against Queen’s challenges, retaining his position. Meanwhile, Lawless Alan and Isabella Robusto passed Queen, pushing him back to fifth. Despite late pressure, Queen finished third, while Lavar Scott continued his consistent season with a fifth-place result.
Strong Performances from Rising Drivers in the Top Ten
The rest of the top ten featured Connor Mosack, Isaac Kitzmiller, Jason Kitzmiller, Hunter Wright, and Thad Moffitt. Wright and Moffitt stood out with impressive charge-from-the-back performances, starting 26th and 34th, respectively, and climbing into the top ten by race’s end. Isaac Kitzmiller’s seventh-place finish allowed him to maintain a points lead over Tyler Reif in the ARCA East standings, as Reif finished 14th.
Women’s Representation Highlights the Diverse Field at IRP
The race field tied a series record by including six female drivers: Kadence Davenport, Isabella Robusto, Becca Monopoli, Quinn Davis, Lanie Buice, and Regina Sirvent. This milestone emphasized growing diversity in the sport, with Robusto leading the group by finishing fourth.
Buice faced challenges despite having a strong car early in the race. After an incident involving Connor Mosack, Buice was forced to pit for a tire change and restart at the rear, ultimately finishing 11th.
Context of the Brenden Queen ARCA Race Rivalry with Brent Crews
The competitive tension between Crews and Queen is notable, with several recent races illustrating their intense rivalry. Earlier this season at Phoenix, Crews captured his first ARCA Menards Series victory after a last-lap pass involving contact with Queen. The close contest at Indianapolis Raceway Park deepened this ongoing battle for supremacy.
Looking Ahead: The Next ARCA Challenge at Iowa Speedway
The ARCA Menards Series will continue next week with another combination race alongside the ARCA East Series at the Atlas 150, hosted at Iowa Speedway. Fans can catch live coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, with streaming available via the FOX Sports app. This upcoming race promises more exciting action in the continued pursuit of the season championship.