March 13, 2025 – The Project K-9 Hero ARCA Series closed out its Modified Generation 6 car era in spectacular fashion last Sunday night, March 9, with the General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway. Joseph Stafford emerged victorious in a chaotic, caution-filled race that stretched over 151 laps, marking the end of an era as the series prepares to transition to the newly released iRacing ARCA cars for its next event on March 23 at Five Flags Speedway for the Bounty 150.
The race, which unfolded under clear skies with a comfortable 74°F and a light breeze, was a fitting send-off for the Modified Generation 6 car, a staple of the series that has now been retired after months of hard-fought competition. Stafford, starting from pole, led an impressive 129 laps and held off a fierce challenge from Henry Kallhoff to claim the win by a razor-thin margin of 0.185 seconds.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to close out this car,” Stafford said post-race. “It’s been a wild ride, and to finish it off with a win feels incredible. Now we’ve got our eyes on the new ARCA cars and Five Flags.”
Kallhoff, finishing second after starting third, kept the pressure on throughout, while Cat Wheeler rounded out the podium with a hard-charged climb from 11th to third. Cory Mott and Mark Morton completed the top five, with Morton earning accolades for an astonishing recovery from a 30th-place start.
The General Tire 150 was a wild ride, marked by a staggering 22 cautions that consumed 63 of the 151 laps—almost half the race. The event’s frenzied conclusion saw just 16 of the 35 starting drivers finish the full distance, underscoring its relentless intensity. With only three leaders and three lead changes, the constant interruptions from yellow flags turned the race into a nerve-wracking, stop-go battle that pushed drivers’ skills and composure to the limit. Tight racing and bold maneuvers fueled the high caution tally, paving the way for the explosive post-race drama that unfolded in the garage.
Tensions Boil Over Between Basden and Wheeler
One of the most talked-about incidents involved Nick Basden and Cat Wheeler, whose on-track battles fueled a heated confrontation after the checkered flag. Basden, who led 13 laps but finished 24th, didn’t mince words when addressing Wheeler’s driving style.
“Cat was reckless out there,” Basden fumed, pointing to multiple incidents that he claimed cost him a shot at the podium. “You can’t just barrel through people like that and expect no consequences. It’s a miracle more cars didn’t get wrecked.”
Wheeler, who logged 12 incidents enroute to his third-place finish, dismissed Basden’s accusations with a shrug. “It’s racing—stuff happens. I was pushing for the win, and sometimes you’ve got to get a little aggressive. He’s just sore he couldn’t keep up.”
The tension between the two drivers spilled over into the garage, where crew members had to step in to separate heated exchanges. The rivalry has added an extra layer of intrigue as the series shifts gears to its next chapter.
A New Era Beckons at Five Flags Speedway
As the dust settles on the Modified Generation 6 car’s final outing, the Project K-9 Hero ARCA Series is gearing up for its next race on March 23 at Five Flags Speedway. The Bounty 150 will debut the newly released iRacing ARCA cars—specifically the ARCA Chevrolet SS, Ford Mustang, and Toyota Camry—ushering in a fresh era of competition. These modern machines, recently introduced in iRacing’s 2025 Season 2 update, promise to bring new dynamics to the series with updated physics and performance capabilities.
Drivers and teams are already buzzing about the transition. Devin Corey, who finished ninth, noted, “The Gen 6 car was a beast, but I’m excited to see what these new ARCA cars can do. Five Flags is a tight track, so it’ll be a whole new challenge.”
The General Tire 150’s chaotic finish, with only 16 of 35 starters completing all 151 laps, highlighted the intensity. As the series looks ahead to the Bounty 150, the focus shifts to adapting to the new cars and settling scores from last Sunday’s fireworks. One thing is certain: the Project K-9 Hero ARCA Series is poised for an electrifying future, with Stafford’s victory serving as a high note to close out the past. Fans won’t want to miss what’s next on March 23 at Five Flags Speedway.