Nitro Motorsports Lands Rising Star Mia Lovell for Ambitious 2026 ARCA West Run
In a move that signals a serious commitment to developing future talent, Nitro Motorsports confirmed today that Mia Lovell will graduate to the ARCA Menards Series West for the 2026 season. After watching Lovell tear through her rookie campaign in the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli West TA2 class, where she didn’t just participate but actively fought for podiums and secured Rookie of the Year honors.
The team knew it was time for the next challenge. She will stay under the Nitro Motorsports banner as she takes this significant step up the ladder toward the top tiers of North American stock car racing. Lovell’s path to this moment has been rapid but earned.
She began her journey in the Toyota GR Cup North America program before making the jump to the heavy, high-horsepower world of Trans Am TA2 in 2025. Her partnership with Nitro Motorsports for the whole West Coast campaign and select national events proved to be the right catalyst. Now, the NASCAR realm awaits.
From TA2 Rookie to NASCAR Prospect
It’s one thing to drive a race car, but another to command the respect of the paddock in your first year. Lovell’s TA2 season did just that. She showed raw speed, sure, but more importantly, she displayed a race-craft maturity that usually takes years to develop. Earning the TA2 West Rookie of the Year title wasn’t just a trophy on the shelf. It was a statement that she belongs in the conversation regarding motorsport’s most promising young talents.
“I’m incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to move up to ARCA with Nitro Motorsports,” Lovell said regarding the announcement. “This team has believed in me since the moment I joined their program, and the support, coaching, and resources they’ve provided have been instrumental in preparing me for this next step.”
For a driver looking to make a career in this sport, continuity is key. Lovell credits her growth to the environment at Nitro. “I learned so much this year in TA2, and I can’t wait to take everything forward into the NASCAR realm in the ARCA Menards Series West program. This is a big step in my career, and I’m ready for the challenge. Bringing on Pine Health as my title sponsor is exciting, and I’m ready to make them proud!”
Nitro Motorsports Continues to Build Champions
Nick Tucker, Co-Owner of Nitro Motorsports, has seen plenty of drivers come through the ranks, and he sees something distinct in Lovell.”Mia has continually impressed us with her adaptability, race craft, and professionalism,” Tucker noted.
“She proved she could run with serious talent in TA2 and executed a strong rookie season that earned well-deserved recognition. Advancing her into our ARCA West program is the natural next step, and we are proud to continue supporting her growth as she develops into one of the next great names in American motorsports.”
This move reinforces Nitro Motorsports’ standing in the garage. Based in North Carolina, the program has evolved into a premier destination for driver development, offering the kind of championship-caliber equipment and data resources necessary to succeed in both Trans Am and ARCA competition.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The work begins immediately. Lovell is scheduled for an extensive off-season testing program to get acclimated to the heavier ARCA machinery before the 2026 green flag drops. The team indicated that more details regarding the specific schedule, livery reveals, and additional partnerships will be released in the coming weeks.
