We are almost there my friends…a 2026 season that has really seemed like a whirlwind. The season really feels like it started a matter of weeks ago, but reality is we have Martinsville from last weekend, Homestead-Miami this upcoming weekend, and then a champion is crowned. As “Best of the Rest” has evolved during the season, it has taken the form it is currently in. We focus on those in ARCA, Truck, O’Reilly Series, and Cup that fly under the radar while still making noise, expect the same in 2027 on a brand new site launching soon.

With that said…Martinsville, the paper clip shaped short track took center stage this past weekend. While Martinsville Clippy could not help in any way for many (dated joke), it still had it’s share of surprises. Chandler Smith (trucks), Carson Kvapil (NOAP), and William Byron (Cup) walked away with grandfather clock trophies on Halloween short track weekend.

As stated above, Homestead is up next and last for 2026…where a 2026 champion will be crowned in each series.

BLACK’S TIRE 200 presented by DOWN EAST HEATING & AIR

Winner: Chandler Smith

Pole: Tristan McKee

#99 BEN RHODES

Perhaps the biggest comeback of 2026 (and a bit of redemption for the season) belongs to Ben Rhodes and his #99 ThorSport Racing Ford team. Outpaced many times this season by Ford corporate teammate Front Row Motorsports, the previously annual contender ThorSport was outpaced several times in 2026. One of the most tenured drivers with ThorSport, Rhodes had a standout performance in Martinsville (even with some setbacks).

THE STORY

In a season I’m sure Rhodes and his #99 Ford team would like to forget on certain weeks, we got a glimpse of the former series champion in Martinsville. While Rhodes did not lead, he was probably one of the best trucks throughout the race. Starting 4th, the ThorSport driver made his presence felt throughout the event, running amongst the leaders in both stages. Following the beginning of Stage 3, Rhodes stayed in that top five spot and finished a very strong 2nd (falling just short of the win).

Photo Credit: Jayski and Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Rhodes, a former series champion in 2023 has struggled to regain that footing the last few seasons. However, as the competition has evolved since, Rhodes’ Martinsville finish is a sign the #99 ain’t done yet. Martinsville’s 2nd place run now bests a 3rd place earlier in the season on the streets of St. Petersburg. Heading into the finale in Miami, Rhodes sits 7th in points with six top five finishes.

NATIONAL DEBT RELIEF 250

Winner: Carson Kvapil

Pole: Carson Kvapil

#87 LEE PULLIAM

From out of nowhere (metaphor) came Lee Pulliam in 2026. A top tier team owner and driver throughout late model racing, Pulliam got the opportunity of a lifetime at the first Martinsville O’Reilly Series race earlier in the season. He got the call to drive JR Motorsports’ #9 Chevrolet in what was a one off race. In that series debut, Pulliam would qualify 12th, run at the front throughout the event, and had a very real chance to win before finishing 4th.

Fast forward to Martinsville again, and Pulliam is now in his third start for Peterson Racing Group and their #87 Chevrolet. Already signed for 2027 full-time in the 87, team and driver have gotten a head start on next season.

THE STORY

While Pulliam’s JRM performance earlier in the season was impressive, this time around was impressive too…just in a different way. The Peterson team has struggled a bit this season to gain footing, following the release of Austin Green. Pulliam’s performance gave the team a needed shot in the arm, as he would start 37th, stay out of trouble, and finish 14th in his third start behind the wheel of the 87.

Photo Credit: Jayski and David Jensen/Getty Images

As Pulliam prepares to embark on a full-time O’Reilly campaign in 2027, Pulliam has run well in his starts after taking over the wheel. With finishes of 18th (Las Vegas), 22nd (Talladega), and 14th now in Martinsville, team and driver seem to be finding their footing a bit. As for the #87 team, they earned their best finish since Nick Sanchezfinished 14th in Darlington.

XFINITY 500

Winner: William Byron

Pole: Denny Hamlin

#97 SHANE VAN GISBERGEN

SVG’s last appearance in this series was some time ago, but the Trackhouse driver’s performance in Martinsville deserves recognition. We all know that he has been coronated as king of the road courses already, and rightfully so…he is nearly untouchable on those tracks until other drivers catch up. 2026 however, SVG has put serious effort in to learning the rest of the schedule…ovals. These oval tracks were not something V8 Supercars competed on, so the learning curve was steep. A marked improvement has been the case in 2026, and Martinsville certainly lived up to that.

THE STORY

As the 2026 season comes to an end, Van Gisbergen and his #97 Trackhouse team had a strong showing on the paperclip-shaped Martinsville. Starting the Trackhouse entry in 29th, SVG survived the typical short track chaos and dustups. When all was said and done, SVG rolled on to finish an impressive 5th. Such a strong day on one of NASCAR’s oldest and toughest tracks shows how greatly improved SVG has become, running as high as second at one point.

Photo Credit: Jayski and Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

While SVG’s two wins in 2o26 came on the road courses in Watkins Glen and Sonoma, the more impressive stats sit the top five and top 10 columns. With one race weekend left in 2026, SVG can hang his helmet on six top ten finishes, and 10 top ten runs, and only 3 DNF’s (Did Not Finish). Note should also be made that most weekends, the #97 Trackhouse team was the best performing of the 3-car team, showing how much the former Supercar champion has absorbed during the season.