By Ben Deatherage
MINOT, N.D. (Oct. 24, 2026) — Colby Patterson entered the 2026 season with little experience behind the wheel of a race car. By the end of the year, the 17-year-old from Minot, N.D., had become the first North Dakota driver to earn both the National Rookie of the Year and B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region Rookie of the Year honors in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock division.
Patterson’s first full season produced three feature victories, 17 top-five finishes, and 27 top-10 results in 33 starts. He also recorded nine podium finishes while competing at six different racetracks across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Saskatchewan.
Driving the JH Seed and Soil Service/Schock’s Safe and Lock Services/Optimum Ag Services-sponsored No. 12X Charger, Patterson steadily improved throughout the season.
“There was a big difference from the start of the year to the end of the year,” Patterson said. “This is only my first year racing. There was a lot of learning where to go on the track and getting the feel of the car.”
Much of that improvement came as Patterson learned to navigate different racing grooves.
“At the start of the year, I ran the bottom most of the time, and as the year went on, I figured out the lanes,” he said. “Once I found the high line and how to run the cushion, I got faster.”
That improvement became evident as the season progressed.
Patterson collected his first feature victory July 2 at McLean County Speedway in Underwood, beginning a stretch of four consecutive podium finishes through July 19. He followed the victory with runner-up finishes July 3 at Williston Basin Speedway and July 4 at Nodak Speedway before placing third July 19 at McLean County.
His success continued into August, when he earned his second victory Aug. 15 at Estevan Motor Speedway in Saskatchewan. Six days later, Patterson returned to victory lane at Williston Basin Speedway, completing a season that saw him win at three different facilities.
Consistency became one of Patterson’s strongest attributes during the second half of the year. He assembled a 10-race top-five streak from June 21 through Aug. 7, recording one victory and five podium finishes during that stretch.
He also closed the season with 19 consecutive top-10 finishes from June 20 through Sept. 19, a streak that included all three of his feature victories. During those 19 races, Patterson collected 15 top-five finishes and eight podium results.
August proved to be his most productive month, with two victories, seven top-five finishes, and 10 top-10 results in 10 starts. He never finished worse than ninth during the month.
His travels also took him to Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn., where he finished fourth in both appearances.
“We went to Norman County twice and did pretty good there, and went to a couple of other places and had a lot of fun,” Patterson said.
While the results suggested a driver gaining experience quickly, Patterson had spent relatively little time racing before the 2026 season.
His father, Boomer Patterson, competed during the 1990s before stepping away from racing. He returned to competition in 2009 and continued through 2014.
Colby became interested in driving approximately two years ago. Before climbing into a race car, much of his experience came from spending time on a racing simulator at home.
“I showed interest in driving about two years ago, and I have a racing simulator at home that seemed to help me a little bit,” Patterson said.
His only previous experience behind the wheel came during an open-class event at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Bottineau, late in 2025.
Before that appearance, Boomer helped prepare the car for his son’s first opportunity to race.
“Last year, my dad shook the car down three times and got it ready for me,” Patterson said.
With his parents serving as his pit crew, Patterson entered his rookie campaign facing the challenge of learning the car, understanding different racing surfaces, and competing against experienced drivers throughout the Northern Region.
The results improved as he gained confidence, particularly after becoming comfortable racing along the cushion rather than relying primarily on the bottom of the racetrack.
Patterson also recognized his fellow supporters, including Gabriel, Beau, and Lucie Deschamp, Alan Helgeson, Caden and Mark Appelt, Bob Nostdahl, Chris Romfo, and Beeter Racing.
Feature Wins: 3
Total Top Fives: 17
Total Starts: 33
His Pit Crew: Parents Boomer and Rachel Patterson, and Mike Vanhove
His Sponsors: J&H Seed and Soil Service, Schock’s Safe and Lock Services, Optimum Ag Solutions, Gear 701 Clothing, RomFo Auto Repair, Deschamp Farms, Wade Cross FX Suspension, Dakota Engine Builders, Lynnes Masonry, Fast Graphix TRF, Tires Only, Lancer Fabrication, C&C Welding, and Charger Chassis