North Star Racing Grand National Power Rankings
Heading Into Michigan International Speedway
The Grand National Series has already delivered plenty of surprises through the opening five races. We’ve seen multiple winners, a new championship leader, and several drivers establish themselves as legitimate title contenders. With Michigan International Speedway next on the schedule, here’s how the field stacks up heading into one of the fastest tracks on the calendar.
🏁 1. Alex Rogers (+4)
Last Race: 5th
Championship Position: 1st
No driver has been more consistent than Alex Rogers. While Victory Lane has remained just out of reach, his ability to finish near the front every week has earned him the championship lead. A fifth-place finish at Atlanta was enough to move him to the top of the standings, and he’ll head to Michigan with plenty of momentum.
Why He’s #1: Consistency wins championships, and nobody has been more consistent this season.
🏁 2. Paul Irvin (+2)
Last Race: 12th
Championship Position: 5th
One quiet race doesn’t erase what Paul Irvin has shown this season. His dominant Firework 300 victory proved he has race-winning speed, and Michigan’s long green-flag runs should fit his driving style perfectly.
Trending: ▲
🏁 3. Zack Saunders (-1)
Last Race: 17th
Championship Position: 3rd
Saunders continues to sit near the top of the standings despite an off night at Atlanta. He’s been remarkably consistent all season, but turning those solid finishes into podiums will be the key if he wants to reclaim the points lead.
🏁 4. Cavin Baumler (+8)
Last Race: Winner
Nobody made a bigger statement last week than Cavin Baumler.
After methodically working through the field at Atlanta, Butler held off Bill Hill in a thrilling finish to earn his first Grand National Series victory. If that momentum carries over to Michigan, expect the No. 75 to be a weekly contender.
Biggest Riser of the Week
🏁 5. Nathan Flanigan (-4)
Last Race: 20th
Championship Position: 2nd
The former points leader finally had an off night at Atlanta, but don’t expect him to stay down for long. Flanigan has shown speed throughout the season and remains well within striking distance of the championship lead.
Michigan could be the perfect place for a rebound performance.
🏁 6. Brady Motes (-1)
Motes continues to quietly put together one of the strongest seasons in the garage. While Atlanta wasn’t his best outing, he’s remained one of the most consistent drivers in the series and is still firmly in the championship conversation.
🏁 7. Bill Hill (NEW)
This week’s Driver of the Race.
Charging from 33rd to second at Atlanta was arguably the drive of the season. Hill nearly stole the victory and proved he has the speed to compete with anyone in the field.
Don’t be surprised if he finds Victory Lane sooner rather than later.
🏁 8. Jake Roell (+6)
The finishing position doesn’t tell the story.
Roell swept both stages at Atlanta and looked like the fastest driver for much of the evening before late-race circumstances dropped him back in the order. If Michigan comes down to raw speed, he’ll be one of the favorites.
🏁 9. Andrew Zimmerschied (-1)
Atlanta wasn’t his strongest race, but Andrew continues to show flashes of speed every week. His remarkable charge through the field at the Firework 300 remains one of the best drives of the season.
He’s due for another top-five finish.
🏁 10. Jacob Gladulich (+2)
Gladulich quietly continues to maximize every opportunity. Another steady finish has him climbing both the standings and this week’s Power Rankings.
Consistency has become his calling card.
📈 On the Rise
- Bill Hill – Nearly won Atlanta after starting 33rd.
- Jake Roell – Swept both stages and showed race-winning speed.
- Cavin Baumler – Fresh off his first Grand National Series victory.
📉 Needs a Bounce Back
- Nathan Flanigan – Lost the championship lead after Atlanta.
- Zack Saunders – Needs stronger finishes to keep pace with Rogers.
- Cody Smith – Has shown speed but needs better race results.
🔥 Matchup to Watch at Michigan
Alex Rogers vs. Paul Irvin
One driver leads the standings through consistency. The other has already shown race-winning speed. Michigan could be where these two establish themselves as the drivers to beat for the 2026 Grand National Championship.
Can Rogers continue his consistent march toward a title, or will Irvin add another trophy to his growing résumé?
One thing is certain: the championship battle is only getting tighter.