This week, the NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Series announced that two Michigan drivers would be honored for their accomplishments in the race for state or provincial championships and rookie of the year. These honors are awarded alongside the national and regional championships.
In Michigan, Berlin Raceway regulars Andrew Scheid and Tyler Rycenga swept the honors. In 11 starts at Berlin Raceway, the Sparta native scored one win, seven top five and nine top 10 finishes. That was enough for him to capture his first state championship in Michigan ahead of Berlin track champion Brian Campbell.
As for Rycenga, he also made 11 starts with Berlin's NASCAR Weekly Series Super Late Models, earned one win, three Top 5s, and six Top 10s. Rycenga finished third in Berlin Raceway points behind Scheid and Campbell who collected his fourth track championship and third since 2021.
Alaska – Trent Dillard
Trent Dillard scored seven victories in seven races at Alaska Raceway Park. This is his first state championship in Alaska.
Alberta – Cameron Medd
In seven events at Edmonton International Raceway, Cameron Medd won three times and never finished outside the top five. This is his first provincial championship in Alberta.
Arizona – Nick O’Neil
Nine victories in 13 starts at Tucson Speedway propelled Nick O’Neil to his second consecutive state championship in Arizona.
California – Jeffrey Peterson
A strong season of racing at Irwindale Speedway and Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway allowed Jeffrey Peterson to win his first California state title. In 14 events, Peterson won seven times. He also captured the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series West Region championship.
Colorado – Brett Yackey
The Yackey family added another NASCAR accolade this year as Brett Yackey captured his third Colorado state championship thanks largely to three victories in six races at Colorado National Speedway. It’s his fourth state championship overall after he captured the Arizona title in 2021.
Florida – Brent Crews
A championship during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway also helped Brent Crews win the Florida state title. In six races at New Smyrna, Crews won twice and never finished outside the top five.
Idaho – Josh Jackson
Meridian Speedway regular Josh Jackson drove to seven wins across 19 starts this season to capture his first Idaho state championship.
Iowa – Jeff Wiggins
Four victories in 16 races and no finishes outside the top five were more than enough for Jeff Wiggins to capture his first Iowa state championship.
Massachusetts – Vincent Arrenegado Jr.
Competing at Seekonk Speedway, Vincent Arrenegado Jr. didn’t win a single race this year. However, his consistent approach, which saw him finish inside the top five in 10 of 12 races, allowed him to claim his first Massachusetts state title.
Michigan – Andrew Scheid
In 11 starts at Berlin Raceway, Andrew Scheid scored one win, seven top five and nine top 10 finishes. That was enough for him to capture his first state championship in Michigan ahead of Berlin track champion Brian Campbell.
Minnesota – Jake Ryan
For the first time since 2013, someone not named Jacob Goede is the state champion of Minnesota. That driver is Jake Ryan, who won four times at Elko Speedway in 17 starts to claim the crown.
Nevada – Jaron Giannini
A fast-rising star on the West Coast, Jaron Giannini claimed his first Nevada state championship after scoring four wins in 14 starts at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this season.
New Hampshire – Tyler Leary
It came down to the last possible race, but Tyler Leary captured his first New Hampshire state championship this season. In 28 races split between Monadnock Speedway, Claremont Motorsports Park and Hudson Speedway, Leary won 10 times. He bested Nathan Wenzel by four points to claim the New Hampshire state crown.
New York – John Beatty Jr.
Riverhead Raceway regular John Beatty Jr. put together a strong season that saw him win three times in 14 starts. It was more than enough for him to capture his first New York state championship.
Newfoundland and Labrador – Wayne Walsh
For the first time since 2019, Wayne Walsh is once again the provincial champion of Newfoundland and Labrador. Competing at Eastbound International Speedway, Walsh won twice and never finished outside the top 10 to earn his fourth provincial championship.
North Carolina – Burt Myers
Bowman Gray Stadium’s Burt Myers had another one of his trademark fantastic seasons in 2024. He won six times in 23 races at Bowman Gray on his way to not just his 11th track title, but also a runner-up finish in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I standings and his fourth North Carolina state title.
Ohio – Todd Sherman
For the fourth consecutive year and fifth time overall, Todd Sherman is once again the champion in the state of Ohio. He scored one victory at Limaland Motorsports Park in eight events and only finished outside the top 10 once.
Oklahoma – Justin Shoemaker
A strong season at Salina Highbanks Speedway allowed Justin Shoemaker to claim his first Oklahoma state championship in 2024. He won five times in 19 starts and earned 17 top five finishes.
Ontario – Johnathan Schwemler
Competing at Grand Bend Speedway, Johnathan Schwemler scored an impressive seven victories in 13 starts. He also never finished outside the top five on his way to his first Ontario provincial championship.
Oregon – Toby McIntyre
A winner of eight races in 12 starts this season at Coos Bay Speedway, Toby McIntyre locked up his second consecutive Oregon state championship with ease.
Pennsylvania – Jeff Strunk
One of the Northeast’s veteran dirt modified competitors, Jeff Strunk captured his fifth Pennsylvania state championship. He failed to win a race, but he only finished outside the top 10 once in 19 races this season.
Quebec – David Hébert
For the third consecutive season, David Hébert has captured the Quebec provincial championship. Racing at both Autodrome Granby and Le RPM Speedway, Hébert won eight times in 20 starts. He also captured the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Northeast Region championship.
South Carolina – Casey Kelley
The battle for the South Carolina state crown came down to brothers Casey and Cody Kelley. Ultimately the crown went to Casey, who won five times and never finished outside the top five in 16 races at Florence Motor Speedway.
Tennessee – Keith Helton
Competing once again at Kingsport Speedway, Keith Helton captured his second consecutive Tennessee state championship. He was nearly unbeatable this year, scoring 17 wins in 27 races.
Virginia – Connor Hall
Racing just about anywhere he could, Connor Hall captured not just a second NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I national championship, but also his second Virginia state crown. In 13 races in the state of Virginia at Langley Speedway and South Boston Speedway, Hall scored nine wins.
Washington – Wyatt Gardner
For the first time in four years, someone not named Naima Lang has captured the Washington state title. Wyatt Gardner claimed his first Washington state crown thanks to six wins in 10 races at Evergreen Speedway.
Wisconsin – Jacob Goede
Opting to switch things up this year, Jacob Goede decided to race at Wisconsin’s LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway this season. It paid off with a Wisconsin state championship, which Goede earned thanks to four wins in 12 races and no finishes outside the top 10. It’s his first Wisconsin state title to go along with 10 Minnesota state titles. He also captured the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Midwest Region championship.
2024 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series state & provincial rookies of the year
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - Zach Hiser
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