NASCAR Regional power rankings: Two wins propel Stephen Kopcik to the top

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 April 20, 2026.

10. Tyler Rypkema

Boehler Racing Enterprises driver Tyler Rypkema is off to the best start of his career thanks to finishes of second, third and 10th in the first three NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events of the season. He sits third in the series standings ahead of round four at Oxford Plains Speedway next week.

9. Ron Silk

After a rough start to the season at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway, Ron Silk has quickly rebounded with consecutive runner-up finishes at Martinsville and Thompson. He went from last in the standings after New Smyrna to ninth after Thompson.

8. Cole Denton

Fifteen-year-old Cole Denton shocked the ARCA Menards Series West field at Tucson Speedway with a dominant victory from the pole in the series' latest race. He led a race-high 127 laps on his way to his first West Series victory.

7. Austin Beers

The reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion continues to be among the most consistent drivers in the series. Austin Beers hasn't finished worse than 10th in more than two years, including finishes of third, fifth and sixth to begin the 2026 campaign.

6. Jake Bollman

Jake Bollman has started his first full ARCA Menards Series season in fantastic fashion with finishes of second, sixth and third. He holds an early 12-point advantage in the standings after three races. 

5. Carson Brown

Pinnacle Racing Group's Carson Brown is another driver who has gotten off to a fast start in 2026. He dominated the ARCA Menards Series race at Phoenix Raceway and finished second in East Series action at Rockingham Speedway.

4. Jeffrey Peterson

Two-time NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts West Region champion Jeffrey Peterson has proven unbeatable so far at The Bullring at Las Vegas this year. He has seven wins in as many starts to begin the season.

3. Tristan McKee

Tristan McKee launched his pursuit of the 2026 ARCA Menards Series East championship with consecutive wins at Hickory Motor Speedway and Rockingham Speedway.

2. Gio Ruggiero

Gio Ruggiero is undefeated in ARCA Menards Series competition so far in 2026 after earning wins at Daytona International Speedway and Kansas Speedway. He'll go for his third win of the year this week at Talladega Superspeedway.

1. Stephen Kopcik

Stephen Kopcik has taken the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour by storm thanks to consecutive victories at Martinsville Speedway and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, which have propelled him to the top of the series standings through three races.