Raphael Lessard In PINTY'S Series At Autodrome Chaudiere With Dumoulin Competition
Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce (Quebec, Canada) - April 20th, 2019. Raphaël Lessard announces his participation in the June 29th NASCAR Pinty's 300 on the quarter mile high-banked paved oval of the at Autodrome Chaudière (Vallée-Jonction, the third race of the 2019 season). This event represents a return to his racing roots for the young driver and an opportunity to display his growing skills and intensity, as Raphael Lessard started racing here in 2013, at age 11. His No. 04 car will display the colours of a new partner, the Louis Jacques Investment Company Ltd., prepared by Dumoulin Competition, a NASCAR Pinty's Series champion (2014 and 2018).
"I'm so happy to be returning to my home track this year, the "Autodrome Chaudière", a rare occurence as I've been racing almost exclusively in the U.S. for the last three seasons," says Raphael Lessard, "This is the first track I've ever driven on and it still is one of my favourites. I am really grateful to all the people who are working to make this all happen, and especially to Mr. Louis Jacques. Thank you all!"
Mr. Louis Jacques, President of the Louis Jacques Investment Company Ltd., provides important financial support for Raphael Lessard's return home. "I have been following his career carefully for years, and his incredible talent impresses all of us supporters every time out. I couldn't miss this opportunity to help and share his performance with my team and customers, especially at home and in a car displaying our colours. I know the other drivers in the Pinty's Series, and I am sure that the show will be spectacular! "says Louis Jacques.
Dumoulin Competition Handles Racing Operations
The No. 04 Louis Jacques Investment Company Ltd. car will be prepared by Dumoulin Competition, who will also supply logistics services and trackside racing operations. "Raphael Lessard is a very promising young driver making his way up the NASCAR racing ladder, and we are delighted to team up with him. The show will certainly entertain everyone, and we hope to see him on the podium at the end of the race," said Jean-François Dumoulin, driver and co-owner of Dumoulin Competition.
"It will be really fun to race with the help of the Dumoulin brothers' team, especially since they won the Pinty's championship last year. Series champion Louis-Philippe Dumoulin will also be racing, and I know that he will be hard to beat. We'll be there mostly for fun rather than as part of a run at the championship, so I do not want to interfere with their racing. But my "Need to win" will still be there, so the action will be fun to watch. This will be my first time in this series and the drivers are of high calibre like Jean-François and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Andrew Ranger, Alex Tagliani and Marc-Antoine Camirand. They all have years of experience on me, and many are former champions in different series. When I was younger, I watched them run on this track as I imagined that one day, I would be able to measure myself against them and that will finally come true," explains Raphaël Lessard.
Raphaël Lessard raced in different series on this circuit
- 2013 Sport Compact Amateur (Honda Civic - 1st victory on his birthday at 12 years old)
- 2013 two races including a victory in Sport Compact Elite (Honda Civic)
- 2014 Sport Compact Elite and Sportsman Québec (Sportsman), 2015 two PASS series races (Super Late Model)
- 2017 Limited Series track record (Camaro) during track tests.
- 2018 Bacon Ball ACT (Late Model)
More NASCAR Pinty's series races?
June 29th will mark Raphael Lessard's first race in the NASCAR Pinty's Series. However, he is looking for partners to also participate in the prestigious Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières (August 10th and 11th) and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (August 24th and 25th) events.
Read the complete press release here
Photo Credit: Bruce Nuttleman
