2025 Dutch Boy 150 Recap: Max Reaves Makes ARCA East History at Flat Rock

In a performance that further cements his breakout season, Max Reaves captured his third straight ARCA Menards Series East win at Flat Rock Speedway in the Dutch Boy 150. By doing so, Reaves joined elite company, becoming just the second driver in ARCA East history to win in each of his first three starts. The only other to do so? Road course ace Will Rodgers in 2017 and 2018.

Driving the No. 18 Cook Out Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, Reaves began the evening by securing his third pole of the season with a 12.669-second lap. He held off early pressure from Tyler Reif before a caution flew after Isaac Kitzmiller and Takuma Koga tangled in Turn 1, sending Koga spinning into the infield grass.

Reif briefly took control after the restart, but Reaves answered back on Lap 23, powering past the No. 23 Chevrolet SS and taking command for the next 67 laps. Despite several cautions, including one for debris late in the race, Reaves held firm. He pulled ahead on the final restart and maintained a clean track ahead for the final 20 laps to secure the win.

“It’s crazy, but has anyone won four in a row?” Reaves said after the race. “It was going to be close with Tyler (Reif), so it was good racing, and this is a good track. I love this place, and thank you for racing me clean.”

Race Notes:

Winner: Max Reaves (#18, Joe Gibbs Racing)

Laps Led: 144 of 150

Pole Time: 12.669 seconds

Average Speed: 71.040 mph

Top 10 Finishers:

1. Max Reaves (#18)

2. Tyler Reif (#23)

3. Takuma Koga (#10) – career-best ARCA East finish

4. Matt Kemp – career-best ARCA East finish

5. Austin Vaughn

6. Zachary Tinkle

7. Isaac Kitzmiller

8. Brad Smith

9. Jackson McLerran

10. Alex Malycke

Despite Kitzmiller’s struggles, tire issues mid-race trapped him four laps down, he remains the ARCA East points leader by six over Reif heading into a two-month break. The series returns July 18 at Dover Motor Speedway for the first of four combination races with the ARCA Menards Series national tour.

Looking Ahead:

With four races remaining, and all being combo events, the stakes are rising. Reaves has momentum, but can he keep the streak alive and possibly chase down the points lead? One thing is certain: ARCA East just got a whole lot more interesting.