ARCA throws red flag for General Tire 150 at Phoenix due to lightning

Red flag in Phoenix for the ARCA Menards Series General Tire 150 at Phoenix. Lightning in the area and potential rain have caused the flag. We are going to have 35 laps to go when the race goes back green for the NASCAR development series.

The ARCA race in Phoenix has been pretty fun. A lot less chaotic than the Daytona season-opener. However, there have been some “ARCA moments.” These are mostly young, developing drivers and you can tell by the incidents on the track.

There has been a healthy amount of cautions in this race. William Sawalich and Gio Ruggerio have led the entire race. However, Isabella Robusto in her debut has been impressive, more than impressive, in fact.

Red flag for ARCA in Phoenix until this lightning clears up.

🔴 Red flag is out for lightning in the area. @phoenixraceway | @FS1 pic.twitter.com/I5xSBGspns

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 9, 2024

William Sawalich wins rain-shortened race at Phoenix

The rain and lightning would not go away, so William Sawalich was declared the winner of the ARCA race in Phoenix. This was just about to get good as cars started to come alive and others were beginning to struggle in the long green-flag run.

Sawalich was impressive holding off Gio Ruggerio for most of the night. The two traded the lead a few times, but it was mostly the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing driver out front. When the weather came in and the red flag dropped, Sawalich was the one in front.

Isabella Robusto made her series debut in ARCA tonight. She ran as high as P3 at one point. Despite finishing P6 she was a top-5 car all day long and should be very happy with this first start in the ARCA Menards Series.

Who would have guessed that ARCA and NASCAR could bring rain to the Phoenix desert, but they did. It is a shame this race didn’t finish out the final 35 laps, because I think we could have seen a few drivers move up and make a run for P2 if not the race win.