Thomas Annunziata wins ARCA championship in Kansas tie-breaker

Thomas Annunziata secured the 2026 ARCA Menards Series championship following a dramatic season finale at Kansas Speedway. Entering the Menards 150 trailing teammate Jake Bollman by 16 points, Annunziata won the title via a tie-breaker after both drivers finished the season with equal points.

The championship race was marked by significant on-track incidents involving the two Nitro Motorsports teammates. Early in the race, contact between Bollman and Annunziata caused both drivers to spin. Later, a collision involving Will Kimmel’s vehicle led to a crash that ultimately ended Bollman’s race. Bollman had entered the finale needing only a top-ten finish to secure the title regardless of Annunziata’s performance, but the accident prevented him from finishing in the required position.

While Annunziata finished in fifth place to clinch the championship, Carson Brown claimed victory in the race itself. Annunziata, a 21-year-old from New Jersey, managed to navigate the chaotic final laps to overcome the points deficit and secure the title.