NASCAR Regional power rankings: Patrick Emerling holds strong; Mitch Keeter rises

The NASCAR Regional platform features the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts, and the drivers who compete in those series are, in many cases, the future of NASCAR's national series. As selected by the NASCAR Regional editorial team, here are the top 10 NASCAR Regional drivers from ARCA, Mods and the Local Racing Series as of Aug. 11, 2026.

10. Mason Massey

In his first year in the ARCA Menards Series West, Mason Massey has earned two wins and sits second in the series standings through eight races. His most recent win came Saturday thanks to a last-lap pass at Portland International Raceway.

9. Trevor Huddleston

Despite a lackluster finish in Saturday's ARCA Menards Series West race at Portland International Raceway, Trevor Huddleston still leads the series standings thanks to a pair of victories earlier this year at Shasta and Colorado National. He holds an 18-point advantage on Mason Massey with five races left.

8. Jake Bollman

Consistency has been the key to Jake Bollman's 2026 ARCA Menards Series season. Despite being winless, Bollman continues to lead the series standings with nine top fives and 13 top 10s through 14 of 20 races. He leads Nitro Motorsports teammate Thomas Annunziata by seven points with six races remaining.

7. Max Reaves

With only one race left in the 2026 ARCA Menards Series East season, Max Reaves is in the thick of the title hunt. Wins at Nashville and Flat Rock have him right on championship leader Tristan McKee's heels entering the finale at Bristol Motor Speedway next month.

6. Connor Hall

In 13 starts so far split between South Boston and Langley Speedways, Connor Hall has earned 10 victories as he continues his pursuit of a third NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts national championship.

5. Trevor Ward

With only a few races left in the season at South Boston Speedway, Trevor Ward is right in the thick of the fight for both the track championship and the NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts national title. He has four wins this season and is also a Virginia Triple Crown title contender.

4. Matt Hirschman

After a rough start to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Matt Hirschman has hit his stride. In the last five series events, Hirschman has won twice and scored three American Racer Pole Awards. He's now fourth in the series standings with five races left in the season.

3. Tristan McKee

A strong ARCA Menards Series East season continued Friday for young gun Tristan McKee, who won at Iowa Speedway to register his fourth East Series triumph of the year. He holds a slim lead on title rival Max Reaves entering the season finale at Bristol Motor Speedway next month.

2. Mitch Keeter

The man at the top of the NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts standings is dirt racer Mitch Keeter. He's won a whopping 12 times between Arrowhead Speedway and Salina Highbanks Speedway as he pursues his first national championship.

1. Patrick Emerling

The man at the top of the NASCAR Regional power rankings and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standings is Patrick Emerling. He's there because in the last five Tour events, he has scored three wins and hasn't finished worse than third. He leads the Modified Tour standings by 13 points with five races remaining.