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Ones to Watch: North Star Racing Heads to Charlotte

Zach Johnson Updated Oct 14, 2026

The road to the championship continues as North Star Racing heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway, where speed, tire management and track position could make all the difference.

Charlotte is one of those tracks where a driver can look like a contender one moment and find themselves fighting an ill-handling car the next. With the season winding down and the championship battle continuing to develop, this week’s race presents another opportunity for the contenders to make a statement.

After Zach Thomas Johnson’s victory at Las Vegas, the competition heads to Charlotte with plenty of questions still to be answered. Can Johnson carry that momentum forward? Will Nic Vasquez respond after finishing fifth in Vegas? And could Tommy Krawczyk or Caleb Sheets put together another race-winning performance?

Here are the drivers to keep an eye on this week.

🔥 Drivers to Watch

Nic Vasquez — The Championship Standard

Vasquez remains the benchmark in the North Star Racing standings. Even after finishing fifth at Las Vegas, he continues to lead the championship with a group of drivers closing in behind him.

Charlotte presents an opportunity to respond and reestablish control. Vasquez has shown throughout the season that he can contend for wins while collecting valuable stage points, and that combination will be important as the championship pressure increases.

What to watch: Can Vasquez turn another consistent performance into a victory and protect his championship lead?

Zach Thomas Johnson — Can the Momentum Continue?

Johnson heads into Charlotte fresh off his Las Vegas victory, where he started fifth and delivered a 201-lap performance to take the checkered flag.

The win was an important result against the championship contenders, and another strong finish could help him continue closing the gap to Vasquez.

The challenge now is carrying that performance to a different track. Charlotte demands a well-balanced car and consistent execution over a long run, and Johnson will need both if he wants to make it two wins in a row.

What to watch: Can Johnson turn his Las Vegas success into back-to-back victories?

Tommy Krawczyk — A Threat at the Front

Krawczyk showed plenty of speed at Las Vegas, winning Stage 1 before finishing third overall. He remains right in the championship conversation, and his ability to compete for stage victories makes him a driver worth watching at Charlotte.

With the points battle so close near the top, a win could be a major statement. Krawczyk doesn’t necessarily need to dominate every lap, but putting himself in position to capitalize late could make all the difference.

What to watch: Can Krawczyk convert his recent speed into another victory?

Caleb Sheets — Looking for the Complete Race

Sheets had the pace to win at Las Vegas, taking the Stage 2 victory after finishing second in Stage 1. Unfortunately, a late disconnect prevented him from turning that performance into the overall finish his speed deserved.

Charlotte offers a chance to bounce back. Sheets has demonstrated that he can run with the front-runners, and putting together a complete race will be the priority.

What to watch: Can Sheets turn stage-winning speed into a race-winning result?

Alex M. Rogers — Building on a Runner-Up Finish

Rogers was one of the standout performers at Las Vegas, charging from eighth on the starting grid to finish second. He also secured a runner-up result in Stage 2, demonstrating his ability to compete near the front throughout the evening.

That performance gives Rogers plenty of momentum heading into Charlotte. If he can maintain that pace, he could once again find himself battling for a spot on the podium.

What to watch: Can Rogers follow up his Las Vegas runner-up finish with another top-five performance?

Haden Higginbotham — The Dark Horse

Higginbotham quietly put together an impressive fourth-place finish at Las Vegas after starting tenth. He stayed competitive throughout the race and took advantage of the opportunities in front of him.

Charlotte could provide another chance to surprise the field. A strong qualifying effort and a clean opening stage could put Higginbotham in position to challenge the established contenders.

What to watch: Can Higginbotham turn another consistent night into a breakthrough victory?

🏁 Key Storylines Heading Into Charlotte

Can Johnson keep rolling?

A victory at Las Vegas gives Johnson momentum, but repeating that performance at Charlotte will require a different approach. The key will be finding speed without sacrificing consistency.

Vasquez’s championship lead is under pressure.

The drivers behind Vasquez are close enough that another strong result from Johnson or Krawczyk could significantly change the championship picture. Every stage point matters, and a poor finish could open the door for a new points leader.

Who has the best long-run car?

Charlotte rewards drivers who can maintain balance and manage their tires over a run. A car that is fast over one lap isn’t necessarily the car that will be strongest in the closing laps.

Can the field avoid costly mistakes?

Las Vegas featured five cautions, and the race also saw drivers lose valuable results through disconnects and fuel-related problems. At Charlotte, staying out of trouble and making smart decisions could be just as important as outright speed.

🎯 Keys to Victory at Charlotte

  • Manage tire wear: Maintaining grip over a long run will be critical to keeping pace late in a stint.
  • Protect track position: Qualifying well and executing on restarts can help drivers avoid spending the race fighting through traffic.
  • Score stage points: Strong stage finishes provide valuable points even when a driver doesn’t win the race.
  • Keep the car clean: Avoiding contact and costly mistakes can separate the contenders from the rest of the field.
  • Execute in the closing laps: A strong finish requires patience, strategy and the ability to make the right move when the opportunity comes.

🔮 Ones to Watch: Final Verdict

Zach Thomas Johnson is the obvious choice to watch after his Las Vegas victory, but the championship picture makes Nic Vasquez and Tommy Krawczyk equally important names heading into Charlotte.

Caleb Sheets has the speed to contend, Alex M. Rogers is coming off a strong runner-up performance, and Haden Higginbotham could be a driver capable of surprising the field.

Charlotte is another opportunity for the championship contenders to separate themselves from the pack. With the season moving forward, the margin for error continues to shrink.

One race can change the momentum. One mistake can change the standings. And at Charlotte Motor Speedway, everyone will be looking for a chance to make their move.

🗳️ Fan Poll: Who Are You Picking at Charlotte?

Who do you think will take the checkered flag at Charlotte Motor Speedway?

  • Nic Vasquez
  • Zach Thomas Johnson
  • Tommy Krawczyk
  • Caleb Sheets
  • Alex M. Rogers
  • Haden Higginbotham
  • The field

Let us know your pick and join the conversation as North Star Racing heads to Charlotte!