ISABELLA ROBUSTO Leads ARCA 2026 Championship Predictions After Strong Rookie Year

click to enlarge

February 5, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • ISABELLA ROBUSTO emerges as the consensus pick for 2026 ARCA champion after her impressive rookie campaign that saw her overcome early struggles to finish fourth in points. Experts believe her full year of experience, combined with what they see as a weaker full-time field, positions her perfectly to eliminate those “early-season blues” and become a weekly threat at Nitro Motorsports.
  • HAILIE DEEGAN’s return to ARCA West adds serious star power to the title fight, with analysts noting her presence alongside Mason Massey will create “added title competition” in what’s shaping up to be a compelling West series battle. Meanwhile, rookie MIA LOVELL joins the West series at Nitro Motorsports, though experts predict her inexperience may initially hinder her championship chances despite having a “fast racecar.”
  • The women are entering a dramatically different ARCA landscape where full-time drivers actually have a shot at wins – experts predict at least two victories by series regulars after they were shut out completely in 2024. With the announced full-time national drivers having just one combined ARCA win between them, we’re looking at unprecedented parity that could finally give consistent competitors like Robusto the breakthrough opportunities they’ve earned.

UPCOMING:

  • ARCA Menards Series season opener – Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 14
  • ARCA West season debut – Kern Raceway, Feb. 28
  • ARCA East debut at Hickory Motor Speedway – March 28

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by Josh Calloni originally appearing on frontstretch.com