Patrick Colby Breaks Through with Statement Win at Michigan
The North Star Racing Grand National Series made its first trip to Michigan International Speedway, and the high-speed 125-lap event delivered another shakeup in the championship battle. When the checkered flag flew, it was Patrick Colby parking the No. 22 in Victory Lane, capturing his first victory of the 2026 season in dominant fashion.
Starting 27th, Colby methodically worked his way through the field before taking control late in the race. His drive from deep in the field to Victory Lane was one of the most impressive performances of the season and instantly moved him into the top ten in the championship standings.
Colby Charges from 27th to Victory Lane
Michigan rewarded patience, tire management, and clean execution, and nobody managed those elements better than Patrick Colby.
After qualifying near the back of the field, Colby steadily picked off positions throughout the race before taking the lead in the closing laps. Once out front, he never looked back, crossing the finish line over 11 seconds ahead of Zack Saunders to score his first Grand National Series victory.
The win earned Colby a perfect 55 finishing points and immediately announced the No. 22 team as one to watch moving forward.
Saunders Extends Championship Lead
While Patrick Colby celebrated in Victory Lane, Zack Saunders may have left Michigan just as happy.
Saunders finished second after starting 25th, collecting valuable stage points along the way. His consistent afternoon allowed him to take over sole possession of the championship lead with 249 points.
Nathan Finnigan completed the podium in third after another strong run, while Ronnie Norman earned his best finish of the season in fourth.
Jake Roell rounded out the top five, continuing to show impressive speed after sweeping both stages at Atlanta one week ago.
Top 10 Finishers
- Patrick Colby
- Zack Saunders
- Nathan Finnigan
- Ronnie Norman
- Jake Roell
- Brady Motes
- Cody Smith
- Garry Wells
- Allen Phillips
- Mike Robinson
Biggest Movers
Several drivers made impressive gains throughout the afternoon.
- Patrick Colby charged from 27th to 1st, gaining 26 positions on his way to Victory Lane.
- Zack Saunders climbed from 25th to finish second.
- Ronnie Norman advanced from 13th to fourth for his first top-five finish of the season.
- Allen Phillips continued his recent momentum with another top-ten finish.
Michigan rewarded drivers who kept their cars clean, with several contenders using strategy and consistency to move forward throughout the race.
Tough Day for Several Contenders
Not every championship hopeful enjoyed a smooth afternoon.
Paul Irvin, who entered Michigan fifth in points, was eliminated after completing just 74 laps and finished 26th.
Alex Rogers, the previous points leader, could only manage 13th after starting eighth, surrendering the championship lead to Zack Saunders.
Bill Hill, fresh off his impressive runner-up finish at Atlanta, was also caught in trouble and finished 27th after an early exit.
Championship Update
Michigan produced another shakeup at the top of the standings.
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zack Saunders | 249 |
| 2 | Nathan Finnigan | 243 |
| 3 | Brady Motes | 231 |
| 4 | Alex Rogers | 231 |
| 5 | Paul Irvin | 187 |
With only six points separating the top two drivers, the championship battle remains incredibly tight heading into the next round of the season.
Driver of the Race
Patrick Colby
Starting 27th and winning by more than 11 seconds is no small feat.
Patrick Colby delivered one of the strongest performances of the 2026 season, carving through the field with speed, patience, and flawless execution. His first Grand National victory was well earned and immediately puts the No. 22 team squarely in the playoff conversation.
Looking Ahead
With Michigan now complete, the Grand National Series heads into the next stretch of the schedule with the championship battle tighter than ever.
Zack Saunders has reclaimed the points lead, Nathan Flanigan remains within striking distance, and Brady Motes and Alex Rogers continue to keep the pressure on. Meanwhile, Patrick Colby’s breakthrough victory proves that new contenders are emerging every week.
If the first six races have shown anything, it’s that the 2026 Grand National championship is far from decided—and every race is becoming more important as the season rolls on.