We have sailed through the first weekend in October, the true signal that the 2026 racing is drawing to a close here in the central part of the country and it is time to start summarizing our point standings for the fourteen Midwest states that we track. Using the same standard 5-point scale that we use for the All Iowa Points then allows us to pull all of them together at the end of the year to give us our Best of the Midwest standings.
We start out in Michigan where the final race of the year was held this past Saturday at the the Mount Pleasant Speedway, obviously a track that I need to get to one of these days, and we have just one "first time" state champion and it comes in a class that we are now tracking for the first time in Michigan. The IMCA Stock Cars were officially introduced on a weekly basis at Mount Pleasant and Crystal this season and the first-ever Michigan Points champion in the class is Rob Brillhart who had fourteen top fives with two of those being feature victories. Gary Vandermark is the runner-up with one win in twelve top fives while Kenny Dittenber joins the podium with two victories in eleven top fives.
In the Late Models Travis Stemler scored his third straight and fourth overall Michigan Points title taking the checkers first twelve times in his twenty-four top five outings. Stemler's first title came in 2020. Derrick Hilliker, the 2023 champion who was fourth last year, climbed the ladder to second in 2026 scoring four feature wins in nineteen top fives while the 2017 and 2022 champ Eric Spangler ranks third with three wins in twenty-one top fives.
Myron DeYoung tallies his second Michigan Points title in the Modifieds as the 2023 champion picked off five feature wins this season while scoring points on twenty-six race nights. Last year's Michigan Points champ and the defending IMCA Modified National Champion Jeff Reay takes second with four wins in twenty-three top fives while Don Proctor Jr. was a winner six times in eighteen top fives to land him in third and after being 41st on this list in 2025.
The Winged Sprint Car Michigan Points championship was decided by just one marker and it will be the third title for Ohio driver Max Stambaugh. The champion in 2022 and 2023, Stambaugh's one win in ten top fives earned him one point more than Zane DeVault's season of five wins in eight top fives. It was Stambaugh's five runner-up finishes that pushed him to the top. Veteran driver Dustin Daggett was the best of the Michigan natives finishing in third with three wins in nine top fives.
The track in Escanaba is still the only one that runs the Limited Modifieds and Matt Valiquette is the Michigan Points champion for the third year in a row despite no wins in his track leading nine top five finishes.
Check in regularly here on the Back Stretch for more state points for 2026 culminated by our Best of the Midwest rundown in December.
Michigan Points
Stock Cars Final 2026
Pos. Driver Hometown Points
1 . Rob Brillhart Crystal 42
2 . Gary Vandermark Lowell 34
3 . Kenny Dittenber Crystal 31
4 . Zayden Buskirk Crystal 30
5 . Mike Vandermark Jr. Cedar Springs 29
6 . Myles Spencer Deford 28
7 . Andrew Devers Sheridan 26
8 . Chris Stahl Mount Pleasant 20
9 . Kaden Harrison Mulliken 16
10 . Jeff Kohn Sheridan 15
11 . Mike Lynn Muskegon 15
12 . Joel Field Sheridan 11
13 . Derrick Wyatt Stanton 6
14 . Dwight Crawford Shepherd 5
15 . Ryan Nethers Mount Pleasant 5
16 . Ashlee Scott Vestaburg 4
17 . Elmo Skids Fostoria 4
18 . Timothy DeGroft Jr. Elwell 4
19 . Blake Gokee Owosso 3
20 . Cole Shanteau Weldman 3
21 . Matthew Bowman Mt. Pleasant 3
22 . Mike Epplett Muskegon 3
23 . Peyton Cunningham Sheridan 3
24 . Addy Wade Lake City 2
25 . Dillon Kohn Sheridan 1
26 . Gary Buskirk Edmore 1
27 . William Brandt Lake Odessa 1
Michigan Points
Late Model Final 2026
Pos. Driver Hometown Points
1 . Travis Stemler Ionia 90
2 . Derrick Hilliker Midland 68
3 . Eric Spangler Lake City 61
4 . Brandon Thirlby Traverse City 60
5 . Rylee Knoll Lake 55
6 . Jordan Petrat Kinde 53
7 . Ronnie Vannatter 49
8 . Tyler Moore Kinde 44
9 . Shawn O'Connor Elkton 43
10 . Cody Bauer Farwell 38
11 . Rusty Schlenk McClure OH 38
12 . Mike Vandermark Jr. Cedar Springs 37
13 . Austin Harnick Clare 30
14 . John Clark Twin Lake 29
15 . Chad Finley Lansing 28
16 . Tom Sprague Jr. Muskegon 27
17 . A.J. White St. Joseph 26
18 . David Hilliker Midland 26
19 . Kevin Juusola Muskegon 26
20 . Kody Johnson Vestaburg 24
21 . Justin White 22
22 . Matthew Sprague Muskegon 22
23 . Dona Marcoullier Houghton Lake 21
24 . Jeff Erickson Jr. Muskegon 20
25 . Ryan Lanphierd Midland 19
26 . Dillon Kohn Sheridan 18
27 . Zack Swartz Muskegon 16
28 . Lenny Goretski Bay Port 15
29 . Rich Neiser Fruitport 15
30 . Bill Bray Spring Lake 14
31 . Logan Nickerson Vestaburg 13
32 . Marc Super Munger 13
33 . Steve Fairbanks Twin Lake 13
34 . Tanner English Benton KY 13
35 . Karter Juusola Muskegon 12
36 . Jacob Stuhr Harrison 11
37 . Kyle Hunt Bannister 11
38 . Molly Murawski Kinde 11
39 . Scott Wenell Muskegon 11
40 . Devin Shiels Britton 10
41 . Garrett Wiles Hubbardston 10
42 . Mason VanderVeen Six Lakes 10
43 . Ajay Davidson Hudsonville 9
44 . Dustin Weber Riverdale 9
45 . Jason Begeman Caro 9
46 . Ryan Unzicker El Paso IL 9
47 . Luke Anstett Greenville 8
48 . Troy Marciniak Muskegon 8
49 . Johnny Staszak Kawkawlin 7
50 . Joseph Smith Muskegon 6
51 . Matt Murawski Kinde 6
52 . Rob Anderzack Swanton OH 6
53 . Curtis Roberts Coleman 5
54 . Frank Heckenast Jr. Frankfort IL 5
55 . J.C. Witherspoon Kinde 5
56 . Josh Knoll Lake 5
57 . Rob Westergard Bay City 5
58 . Tyler Erb New Waverly TX 5
59 . Ashton Winger Hampton GA 4
60 . Colten Burdette Parkersburg WV 4
61 . Donald Campbell Montague 4
62 . Jeff Boerma Midland 4
63 . Josh Hendershott Houghton Lake 4
64 . Logan Love Vestaburg 4
65 . Mike Spatola Manhattan IL 4
66 . Rich Bell Sheffield IL 4
67 . Chase Burda Columbiaville 3
68 . Colin Shipley McClure OH 3
69 . Gerald Willette Armada 3
70 . Jason Feger Bloomington IL 3
71 . Luke Morey Zeeland 3
72 . Matt Duggan Grand Blanc 3
73 . Ryan Kent Greenville 3
74 . Taylor Wiles Hubbardston 3
75 . Bailey Lynn Fruitport 2
76 . Chevy Romans Davison 2
77 . Jimmy Gallagher St. Johns 2
78 . John Speck Metamora 2
79 . Riley Bowen Sheridan 2
80 . Seth Daniels Jackson OH 2
81 . Shelbi Grabe Ludington 2
82 . Ryan Nethers Mt. Pleasant 2
83 . Adam Harp Gagetown 1
84 . Brady Lajoye Hastings 1
85 . Brayden Wellman Kent City 1
86 . Bryan Hofbauer Ionia 1
87 . Jerid Bisson Muskegon 1
88 . Josh Szyska Columbus 1
89 . Kyle Wright Dowagiac 1
90 . Rachel Snider Salisbury NC 1
91 . Rod Conley Wheelersburg OH 1
92 . Ryleigh Beebe Muskegon 1
93 . Trey Mills St. Augustine FL 1
94 . Michael Sylvester 1
Michigan Points
Modified Final 2026
Pos. Driver Hometown Points
1 . Myron DeYoung Stanton 78
2 . Jeff Reay Portland 73
3 . Don Proctor Jr. Ionia 70
4 . Nate Jones Alma 69
5 . Brenten DeYoung Crystal 63
6 . Chad Bauer Farwell 55
7 . Casey Smith Portland 53
8 . T.J. Barton West Branch 53
9 . Collin Thirlby Traverse City 51
10 . Mitchell Hunt Greenville 47
11 . Cody Goodwin Clio 41
12 . Dillon Nusbaum Spencerville IN 40
13 . Chase Rosebrugh West Branch 39
14 . Brody Hose Houghton Lake 38
15 . A.J. Ward Ionia 36
16 . Oliver Hillard Houghton Lake 30
17 . Jaycob Truemner Imlay 27
18 . Kevin Cavanaugh Muskegon 27
19 . Mark Anderson Lowell 27
20 . Scott Payton Gaylord 25
21 . Manix Furqueron Concord 24
22 . Aaron Raby Carson City 22
23 . Corey Bevard Huntington IN 22
24 . Garrett Rons Livonia 22
25 . Casey Tasker Fenwick 21
26 . Colton Bowen Sterling 21
27 . Robby Henderson Angola IN 20
28 . Casey Baker Gagetown 18
29 . Kody Johnson Vestaburg 18
30 . Rich Robinson Jr. Mt. Pleasant 17
31 . Bree Wonch Crystal 16
32 . Greyson Brindley West Branch 16
33 . Hunter Lange Muskegon 16
34 . Michael Butcher Goodrich 16
35 . Chad Spencer Kingston 15
36 . Shannon Fisk Lowell 15
37 . David Gulda Oxford 14
38 . Jeramy Lange Muskegon 14
39 . Nathan Patrick Pewamo 14
40 . Chad Bennett Caro 13
41 . Jack Dalman Portland 13
42 . Tyler Spalding Watervliet 13
43 . Kyle Borgman Muskegon 12
44 . Curt Spalding Watervliet 11
45 . Greg Gokey Buckley 11
46 . Josh Lolmaugh Columbia City IN 11
47 . Rick Gokee Jr. Owosso 11
48 . Tylor Kay Merritt 11
49 . Zach Sweet Fremont 11
50 . David Stremme Mifflintown PA 10
51 . Carson Coulter North Branch 9
52 . Chad Wernette Sheridan 9
53 . Dan Petrie Sunfield 9
54 . Calvin Stemler Ionia 8
55 . Jerry Hunt Kent City 8
56 . Kyle Osentoski Owendale 8
57 . Nick Ely Muskegon 8
58 . Fred Dow Jr. Port Hope 7
59 . Jeramie Raby Riverdale 7
60 . Terry Sroufe Huntington IN 7
61 . Austin Harnick Clare 6
62 . Brian Brindley West Branch 6
63 . Jacob Poel Spring Lake 6
64 . Kevin Miller Mount Pleasant 6
65 . Mark Farber Muskegon 6
66 . Tanner Pray Mt. Morris 6
67 . Todd Sherman Churubusco IN 6
68 . Zeke McKenzie Claypool IN 6
69 . Brent Drobny South Bend IN 5
70 . Brody Bowser Stanton 5
71 . Chris Barton West Branch 5
72 . Dalton Lane Botkins OH 5
73 . James Harris Owendale 5
74 . Joey Williams Lyons 5
75 . Luke Hubbell Hastings 5
76 . Richie Haynes Mount Pleasant 5
77 . Sean Gillis Homer 5
78 . Austin Wonch Crystal 4
79 . Milt Montgomery Sheridan 4
80 . Zach Hawk Rockford OH 4
81 . Brennan Sherman Churubusco IN 3
82 . Casey Keyosky Clinton Township 3
83 . John Toppozini Thunder Bay ON 3
84 . Ted Cooper Whitehall 3
85 . Dan Wieman Traverse City 2
86 . David VanGuilder 2
87 . Gavin Hunyady Chesaning 2
88 . George Ziman Horton 2
89 . John Goodrich Mcbain 2
90 . Justin Clark Hamersville OH 2
91 . Matt Corliss Kalamazoo 2
92 . Megan Wiggins Shepherd 2
93 . Mike McKinney Plainfield IL 2
94 . Blake Gokee Owosso 1
95 . Charlie Mihacsi Sebewaing 1
96 . Ethan Lamberson Saranac 1
97 . Kevin Strehlke Buckley 1
98 . Mason Bevard 1
99 . Matthew Baker Kouts IN 1
100 . David Verhaar Blanchard 1
101 . Mike Harman Muskegon 1
102 . Kelly Morrow Midland 1
103 . Jimmy Hale Jr. Crystal 1
Michigan Points
Winged Sprints Final 2026
Pos. Driver Hometown Points
1 . Max Stambaugh Lima OH 35
2 . Zane DeVault Plymouth IN 34
3 . Dustin Daggett Portland 28
4 . Dan McCarron Britton 20
5 . Sterling Cling Tempe AZ 19
6 . Jason Blonde Litchfield 15
7 . Boston Mead Onsted 13
8 . Chase Ridenour Perry 11
9 . Brock Hallett Adelaide SA 10
10 . Phil Gressman Fremont OH 10
11 . Graham Huffman Lebanon IN 9
12 . Logan Julien Oconomowoc WI 9
13 . Darin Naida Adrian 8
14 . Greg Wilson Benton Ridge OH 7
15 . Thomas Messeraull San Jose CA 7
16 . Van Gurley Jr. Valparaiso IN 7
17 . Brad Lamberson Parma 6
18 . Jared Horstman Cloverdale OH 6
19 . Aaron Reutzel Clute TX 5
20 . Aiden Price Huntersville NC 5
21 . Cale Thomas Fairland IN 5
22 . Chase Dunham Leipsic OH 5
23 . Clinton Boyles Greenwood MO 5
24 . Danny Sams III North Port FL 5
25 . Gregg Dalman Bellevue 5
26 . Jett Mann Goshen IN 5
27 . Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster OH 5
28 . Bobby Elliott Allenton 4
29 . Brent Marks Myerstown PA 4
30 . Buddy Kofoid Penngrove CA 4
31 . Darren Dryden Freelton ON 4
32 . John Ivy Fremont OH 4
33 . Josh Turner Osseo 4
34 . Dylan Norris Hanover PA 4
35 . Paul Nienhiser Chapin IL 4
36 . Scott Bogucki Mclaren Vale SA 4
37 . Scotty Thiel Sheboygan WI 4
38 . Travis Arenz Sheboygan Falls WI 4
39 . Cory Turner Tillonsburg ON 3
40 . David Gravel Watertown CT 3
41 . Jac Nickles Harrod OH 3
42 . Ayrton Gennetten Versaillies MO 3
43 . Kody Brewer Pisingsun OH 3
44 . Ryan Ruhl Coldwater 3
45 . Tyler Courtney Indianapolis IN 3
46 . Tyler Gunn Napoleon OH 3
47 . Zeth Sabo Tiffin OH 3
48 . Devon Dobie Wapakoneta OH 2
49 . Garet Williamson Columbia MO 2
50 . Kalib Henry Sacramento CA 2
51 . Logan Easterday Coldwater 2
52 . Ryan Coniam Burlington ON 2
53 . Scott Neitzel Beaver Dam WI 2
54 . Sye Lynch Cowansville PA 2
55 . Thomas Schinderle Warren 2
56 . Corbin Gurley Henron IN 1
57 . Keith Sheffer Jr. Jerome 1
58 . Logan Schuchart Hanover PA 1
59 . Ricky Peterson Rawson OH 1
Michigan Points
Limited Modifieds Final 2026
Pos. Driver Hometown Points
1 . Matt Valiquette Rapid River 27
2 . Anthony Harper Rapid River 25
3 . Robby Iverson Escanaba 24
4 . Matt Maki IV Rapid River 19
5 . Rick Gustavson Norway 13
6 . Bradley Viau Van Dyne 11
7 . Kyle Johnson Escanaba 5
8 . Cody Johnson Escanaba 4
9 . Jesse Denome Escanaba 4
10 . Pat Richer Bark River 3
11 . Ryan Lindbert Rapid River 3
12 . Craig Dorner Brussels WI 3
13 . Doug Belongia Jr. Suring WI 2
14 . James Harper Wausaukee 2
15 . Jordan McKnight Gladstone 2
16 . Randy Theys Algoma WI 2
17 . Evin Gagne Escanaba 1
