Robbie Kennealy

Overview

Robbie Kennealy is an American professional stock car racing driver. He currently races full-time in the regional ARCA Menards West Series in the No. 1 Ford for Jan's Racing and part-time in the national touring ARCA Menards Series in a partnership entry between Jan's Racing and Fast Track Racing.

Robbie Kennealy
Kennealy at Sonoma Raceway in 2026
Born (2006-03-03) March 3, 2006 (age 20)
Madera Acres, California, U.S.
Awards2025 ARCA Menards Series West Rookie of the Year
ARCA Menards Series career
6 races run over 3 years
ARCA no., teamNo. 1/41 (Jan's Racing)
No. 11 (Fast Track Racing)
Best finish99th (2025)
First race2024 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
Last race2026 Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0
ARCA Menards Series West career
32 races run over 4 years
ARCA West no., teamNo. 1/41 (Jan's Racing)
Best finish3rd (2025)
First race2023 NAPA Auto Parts Blue DEF 150 (Irwindale)
Last race2026 Portland 112 (Portland)
First win2025 NAPA Auto Parts 150 (Roseville)
Wins Top tens Poles
1 19 2
Statistics up to date as of August 8, 2026.

Robbie Kennealy (born March 3, 2006) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He currently races full-time in the regional ARCA Menards West Series in the No. 1 Ford for Jan's Racing and part-time in the national touring ARCA Menards Series in a partnership entry between Jan's Racing and Fast Track Racing.

Born and raised in Madera, California, Kennealy began racing at the age of four. While racing late models, in 2021, he joined a development team owned by racing driver Kyle Keller. Kennealy made his debut attempts in the ARCA Menards West Series in 2023 for his family team, obtaining some early success. Partnering with Keller to form Kennealy Keller Motorsports the following year, Kennealy was originally scheduled to run the full West Series season. However, two engine failures and his father's passing led to the team's early folding. In 2025, he joined Jan's Racing, having a breakout season that included his first West Series win. He remained with the team the following year, expanding his schedule to include standalone ARCA Menards Series events.

Early life and family background

Robbie Kennealy was born on March 3, 2006,[1] to Gary and Francesca Kennealy. He was born alongside a twin sister named Harley and a younger brother named Joey, the latter of whom is also a racing driver.[2] He was educated at Sherman Thomas Charter School where he graduated in 2024.[3]

Racing career

Early racing career

Kennealy began racing quarter midgets at four and a half years old, racing quarter midgets for the following eight years. According to Kennealy, he began racing after a cousin introduced him to motorsports. Additionally, his twin sister began racing before him, stating that "once I saw her do it I quickly got myself wanting to race".[4] During his time racing quarter midgets, raced against numerous prominent drivers on the American West Coast, including Tyler Reif, Toni Breidinger, Jesse Love, Jade Avedisian, among others. In 2019, Kennealy transitioned to racing junior late models for his family-owned team at the age of 13 after having won multiple track championships in quarter midgets. For the following two years, Kennealy and his family gradually expanded the team.[5]

Nearing the end of 2021, Kennealy's race shop completely burned down in a fire due to an electrical issue. According to Kennealy, almost all of his racing equipment was destroyed, including one racecar, a motorhome, and all equipment inside of the shop. Kennealy estimated that he lost approximately "90 to 95 percent" of his the team's racing assets. After the incident, John Keller, father of racing driver Kyle Keller, offered Kennealy to drive a car under his development program, eventually joining the program and earning various late model victories with the organization in the next couple years.[4][6] In 2022, Kennealy finished second in Madera Speedway's Junior Pro Late Models division, losing a tie-breaker to Ethan Nascimento.[7]

ARCA

Kennealy's car at All American Speedway in 2023.

Kennealy made his debut in the regional ARCA Menards West Series on July 1, 2023, at the series' sixth round of the season at Irwindale Speedway in a family-owned car.[8] In his debut, Kennealy finished in fifth, describing the race as an "awesome weekend", stating that "I would’ve been happy just finishing all the laps in the race. Top five wasn’t even a thought in my head before the race."[4][9] Kennealy later raced the final four races of the West Series season, obtaining one additional top-ten at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.[10] Additionally, he failed to finish two races due to damages sustained in crashes or accidents.[11][12]

Kennealy initially announced plans to race full-time for the 2024 ARCA Menards West Series season, forming a merger with Keller Motorsports to race under Kennealy Keller Motorsports (KKM), owned by Kennealy's mother, Francesca, and sister, Harley. Both Robbie and Kyle handled the day-to-day operations of the organization.[13][14] During the season, Kennealy was described by motorsports writer Brandon White to have suffered "plenty of growing pains".[15] White described the beginning of the season as "inconsistent", with Kennealy failing to finish within the top-ten in any of the season's races.[3] The team additionally experienced two engine failures in the first five races, including the second round at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway[16] and the fifth round at Irwindale Speedway.[17] On September 30, Kennealy's father, Gary, passed away suddenly due to a heart attack.[18] After Gary's passing, Kennealy briefly became a motorsports crew member for his brother, Joey. Due to both the engine failures and Gary's passing, KKM folded before the season concluded.[19]

Kennealy's car at All American Speedway in 2025, where he won his first career West Series win.

During his time as a crew member, Kennealy was introduced to California towing truck company owner Jan Qualkenbush, owner of West Series team Jan's Racing, by Keller, who had previously connected with Qualkenbush at Madera Speedway. After building a professional relationship,[20] Kennealy signed with Jan's Racing for the full-time 2025 West Series season.[21] Kennealy improved significantly from the previous season. Throughout the 12-race season, Kennealy finished in the top-ten in all but two races,[22] with only one retirement at Sonoma due to an accident involving himself crashing into Rodd Kneeland's car.[23] At the ninth round at All American Speedway, Kennealy both won his first career pole in the West Series[24] and his first West Series race. The race, occurring on September 14, took place almost a year after his father's passing, whom he dedicated the win towards.[25][26] At season's end, Kennealy finished third in the driver's point standings, earning rookie of the year honors.[2]

In 2026, Kennealy resigned for another full season in the West Series with Jan's Racing, taking on an additional mentorship role for newly-signed teammate Cole Denton.[27] In addition, he also announced plans to run select standalone national touring ARCA Menards Series races in a partnership entry between Jan's Racing and the Andy Hillenburg-owned Fast Track Racing, including the season-opener at Daytona,[28] the third round at Kansas,[29] and the fourth round at Talladega.[‡ 1] In his first standalone ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona, Kennealy finished 15th.[30]

Motorsports career results

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2024 Kennealy Keller Motorsports 1 Ford DAY PHO
22		 TAL DOV KAN CLT IOW MOH BLN IRP SLM ELK MCH ISF MLW DSF GLN BRI KAN TOL 104th 22 [31]
2025 Jan's Racing 1 Ford DAY PHO
9		 TAL KAN CLT MCH BLN ELK LRP DOV IRP IOW GLN ISF MAD DSF BRI SLM KAN TOL 99th 35 [32]
2026 41 DAY
15		 PHO
10		 TAL
21		 GLN TOL MCH POC BER ELK CHI LRP IRP IOW ISF MAD DSF SLM BRI KAN -* -* [33]
Fast Track Racing 11 Chevy KAN
25

ARCA Menards Series West

ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 AMSWC Pts Ref
2023 3K Motorsports 1 Ford PHO IRW KCR PIR SON IRW
5		 SHA EVG AAS
16		 LVS
8		 MAD
16		 15th 207 [34]
11 PHO
18
2024 Kennealy Keller Motorsports 1 PHO
22		 KER
23		 IRW
18		 IRW
Wth		 11th 235 [35]
Chevy PIR
13		 SON
17
11 SHA
13		 TRI MAD
17		 AAS KER PHO
2025 Jan's Racing 9 Ford KER
4		 3rd 604 [22]
1 PHO
9		 TUC
7		 CNS
6		 KER
3		 SON
21		 TRI
4		 PIR
12		 AAS
1**		 MAD
4		 LVS
3		 PHO
6
2026 KER
20		 TUC
4		 SHA
5		 CNS
2		 TRI
4		 SON
7		 PIR
7		 AAS MAD LVS PHO KER -* -* [36]
41 PHO
10

References

  1. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  2. 1 2 White, Brandon (December 4, 2025). "Robbie Kennealy wins 2025 West Series Rookie of the Year award". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  3. 1 2 White, Brandon (May 30, 2024). "Notebook: Robbie Kennealy skipping high school graduation for Friday's Portland 112". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Delforge, Vincent (July 7, 2023). "Get to Know ARCA Menards West Driver Robbie Kennealy". Kickin' The Tires. Archived from the original on July 19, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  5. ↑ Avides, Tristan (July 30, 2026). "1 - Robbie Kennealy ft. Scott Lynch". Behind the Helmet (Podcast). Spotify. Archived from the original on July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ Fenwick, Adam (April 26, 2023). "Development-focused: Kyle Keller juggling racing and managing a driver development program on the West Coast". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  7. ↑ Blakesley, Steven (October 15, 2022). "Kyle Keller Prevails In The Short Track Shootout For $10K Win And 2022 Championship". Blakesley Sports Media. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  8. ↑ Fenwick, Adam (June 27, 2023). "PIT BOX: Return engagement at Irwindale Speedway awaits ARCA Menards Series West stars". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  9. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (July 5, 2026). "2023 ARCA West at Irwindale II: Team Reactions and Analysis". Kickin' The Tires. Archived from the original on July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  10. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (October 17, 2023). "2023 ARCA West at Las Vegas Bullring: Team Reactions, Analysis". Kickin' The Tires. Archived from the original on July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (October 4, 2023). "2023 ARCA West at Roseville: Team Reactions, Analysis". Kickin' The Tires. Archived from the original on July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  12. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (October 24, 2023). "2023 ARCA West at Madera: Team Reactions, Analysis". Kickin' The Tires. Archived from the original on July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  13. ↑ Blakesley, Steven (September 1, 2023). "Kennealy Keller Motorsports Launches ARCA West Series Development Team". Blakesley Sports Media. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  14. ↑ Branscum, Benjamine (September 1, 2023). "Kennealy Keller Motorsports Announces Launch of ARCA West Development Team for 2024". TobyChristie.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ White, Brandon (September 14, 2025). "Robbie Kennealy scores emotional first West Series victory at All American Speedway". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  16. ↑ Schneider, Ben (April 25, 2024). "ARCA WEST: Henry Barton takes last in series debut as three others do not start". LASTCAR. Archived from the original on July 12, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (July 8, 2024). "ARCA Menards Series West: 2024 Irwindale #2 Race Review". Kickin' The Tires. Archived from the original on July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  18. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (October 3, 2024). "ARCA Menards West Series: 2024 Roseville Race Preview". Kickin' the Tires. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  19. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (October 16, 2024). "2024 ARCA West at Roseville: Team Reactions, Analysis". Kickin' the Tires. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  20. ↑ Burton, Sharon; Sigala Jr., Sal (March 11, 2025). Robbie Kennealy ARCA West Series Driver Interview (Video) – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (January 24, 2025). "ARCA Menards West Series: 2025 Bakersfield Race Preview". Kickin' the Tires. Archived from the original on July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Robbie Kennealy – 2025 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  23. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (July 17, 2025). "2025 ARCA West at Sonoma: Team Reactions and Analysis". Kickin' the Tires. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  24. ↑ Sonderman, Steve (September 13, 2025). "Robbie Kennealy Earns ARCA West Pole at All American". Frontstretch. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  25. ↑ Dunn, Thomas (September 14, 2025). "Robbie Kennealy Wins ARCA West Race at All-American Speedway". Frontstretch. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  26. ↑ Delforge, Vincent (September 17, 2025). "ARCA Menards West Series: 2025 Roseville Race Review". Kickin' the Tires. Retrieved July 11, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ White, Brandon (January 28, 2026). "Robbie Kennealy ready to take on mentorship role at Jan's Racing". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  28. ↑ Kristl, Mark (January 18, 2026). "Robbie Kennealy Attempting ARCA Race at Daytona". Frontstretch. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ Kendall, Logan (April 14, 2026). "ARCA Kansas Entry List". Frontstretch. Archived from the original on July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  30. ↑ Vinel, Chris (February 14, 2026). "Daytona ARCA race results: Finishing order of General Tire 200". Daytona Beach News-Journal. Archived from the original on February 18, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy – 2024 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy – 2025 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on August 14, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy – 2026 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on April 11, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy – 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy – 2024 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy – 2026 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved February 28, 2026.

Primary sources

In the text, these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

  1. ↑ "Robbie Kennealy ARCA Menards Series Talladega Speedway Preview" (Press release). Jan's Racing. April 23, 2026. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.

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