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Category: Oval Racing

Four races into the 2022 NASCAR Pinty’s Series season and a clear championship favourite has emerged.

Marc-Antoine Camirand (No. 22 GM Paillé Chevrolet) has taken the series by storm with his new GM Paillé Racing Team, currently leading the standings by 10 points.

The St. Leonard d'Aston, Que., native has had one of the cars to beat in every race but only one win to show for it.

“We have shown that we can run up front since the beginning of the season,” Camirand said. “I’m so happy for my team at Camirand Performance that has been working so hard. I couldn’t be prouder of them."

Camirand has led the most laps at all three oval races (203 of 252 at Sunset Speedway, 92 of 250 at Autodrome Chaudiere and 138 of 225 at Eastbound International Speedway). He finally captured his first checkered flag of the season at Eastbound; he finished fourth at Sunset after an Overtime incident and was runner-up at Chaudiere.

With attention turned to the streets of Toronto, Camirand has some unfinished business to take care of.

He was in contention for the 2019 win, the last time the series raced at the track. Camirand took the lead from Alex Tagliani (No. 18 Viagra/St-Hubert/QwickWick Chevrolet) on a late restart but wrecked just a few turns later before getting back to the start/finish line. Tagliani went on to win in Overtime while Camirand was resigned to a 16th-place finish.

“I want to go there and finish what we started in 2019,” Camirand said. “Let’s do it!”

While Camirand’s only road course performance of 2022 is also his worst finish – 14th at CTMP – It isn’t quite what it seems. After leading the first ten laps of the race a punctured tire forced Camirand to pit early, taking him off the lead lap.

Camirand then fought his way back up into fifth, but with five to go, ran out of fuel, eventually coming to a stop along the straightaway.

“We were the fastest on track at that time,” Camirand said after the race. “I got back on the lead lap, but from that moment, we were hoping for a caution so I could pit for fuel. If a caution would have happened at that time, I’m sure that we had a shot for the win.”

Based on his early season dominance, expect Camirand to have his shot at the Toronto win to finish what he started.

Look for series veterans to reemerge at Toronto

The NASCAR Pinty’s Series trip to Canada’s largest city also brings the largest spotlight of the year. And when the lights are brightest, the stars shine.

There have been six Toronto races in series history and Andrew Ranger (No. 27 GM Paillé Chevrolet), Alex Tagliani and Kevin Lacroix (No. 74 Lacroix Tuning/La Boulonnerie Dodge) – three of the series’ winningest drivers – are the only winners.

Ranger has a series-leading three wins in Toronto including the first two races in 2010 and ’11 before the series took a five-year hiatus from the circuit. He followed that with a thrilling win over Tagliani in ’18, a race that Tagliani had thoroughly dominated.

Ranger could use a strong Toronto finish; he currently sits 13th in the standings. His Chaudiere win is his only top-10 finish this season. In six Toronto starts, Ranger has three wins and two runner-up finishes.

Tagliani, seventh in the standings, has two Toronto wins – 2016 and 2019. Lacroix won in 2017.

Twenty-five cars entered for the Grand Prix of Toronto

The return to a full season and traditional cross-country schedule has come with the added bonus of a higher car count across the board.

Twenty-five cars are entered in Friday’s race, the highest Toronto car count since 2016.

“We’ve been really encouraged by both the car counts and quality of cars and drivers that have participated so far this season,” said Cherie Putnam, NASCAR Pinty’s Series Director. “Most importantly, our drivers have put on four tremendous races for our fans, and we expect this weekend’s race in Toronto to continue that trend.”

Each race this season has seen higher car counts. There were 25 cars at CTMP, the highest since 2018. The race at Autodrome Chaudière set a track record with 23 cars.

Race Grand Prix of Toronto
Date / Start Time Friday, June 15, 2022 / 4 p.m. ET
Track / Location Exhibition Place (Toronto, ON)
TV TSN: TBA / RDS2 TBA
Live Stream Canada: TSN.ca / TSN app; USA: FloRacing

Fans can stay connected to the NASCAR Pinty’s Series – and all things NASCAR in Canada – www.nascar.ca, on Twitter, Facebookand Instagram.

Nouvelles et notes – Série NASCAR Pinty’s – Toronto

Marc-Antoine Camirand, est le favori du début de saison et bâtit graduellement pour le championnat 2022

Quatre courses après le début de la saison 2022 en série NASCAR Pinty's, un pilote émerge du peloton pour le titre.

Marc-Antoine Camirand (Paillé Course//Racing no 22) a pris la série d'assaut cette saison et mène par 19 points au championnat des pilotes.

Le vétéran originaire de Saint-Léonard d'Aston, au Québec, pilotait parmi les voitures à battre à chaque course, toutefois, il n'a remporté qu'une seule victoire cette saison.

« Nous avons démontré que nous pouvons rouler en tête de peloton depuis le début de la saison », a déclaré Camirand. « Je suis très heureux pour mon équipe Camirand Performance qui a travaillé si dur. Je ne pourrais pas être plus fier d'eux. »

Camirand a mené le plus grand nombre de tours lors des trois courses ovales (203 sur 252 à Sunset Speedway, 92 sur 250 à l'Autodrome Chaudière et 138 sur 225 à Eastbound International Speedway). Il a finalement remporté sa première victoire de la saison à Eastbound, a terminé quatrième à Sunset après un incident en prolongation et a terminé deuxième à Chaudière.

Pour sa part, Camirand a quelques affaires à régler. La dernière fois que la série a couru sur cette piste, en 2019, il était dans le coup pour la victoire. Camirand a repris la tête d'Alex Tagliani (Chevrolet n°18 Viagra/St-Hubert/QwickWick) lors d'une relance tardive, mais il a frappé un mur quelques tours plus tard et a dû se contenter de la 16e place au final, alors qu'Alex Tagliani a remporté la course.

« Je veux finir ce que nous avons commencé en 2019 », a déclaré Camirand. « Faut le faire ! »

Alors que la seule performance de Camirand sur circuit routier en 2022 est également son pire résultat - 14e à CTMP - ce résultat est trompeur. Après avoir mené les dix premiers tours de la course, une crevaison a forcé Camirand à rentrer aux puits et ainsi perdre un tour sur les meneurs. Camirand s'est ensuite battu pour remonter jusqu'à la cinquième place, mais à cinq tours de l'arrivée, il tombe en panne d'essence et s'arrête le long de la ligne droite.

« Nous étions les plus rapides sur la piste à ce moment-là », a déclaré Camirand après la course. « J'étais revenu sur le tour des meneurs, mais à partir de ce moment, on espérait voir une neutralisation pour que je puisse prendre assez d'essence pour terminer la course sans problème. Une neutralisation au bon moment et je suis sûr que nous avions une chance de gagner. »

Compte tenu de sa domination en début de saison, on peut s'attendre à ce que Camirand ait une chance de remporter la victoire à Toronto pour terminer ce qu'il a commencé en 2019.

Attendez-vous à ce que les vétérans de la série reviennent aux avant-plans à Toronto

Au-delà de l'action sur la piste de l'Eastbound International Speedway, le voyage marque la première visite dans la province pour certains pilotes et un retour en terrain connu pour d'autres.

Kevin Lacroix en est à son premier voyage sur l'île dite "The Rock".

« Ce sera mon premier voyage aussi loin dans l'est du Canada, » a déclaré Lacroix. « Je suis vraiment excité de découvrir comment c'est là-bas - la culture, les gens. C'est très différent de Montréal, alors j'ai hâte de voir ça. »

Pour le champion en titre de la série, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (Dodge no 47 Weathertech/Bellemare), un voyage dans cette province atlantique revêt une signification particulière.

« Ma mère est originaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, alors chaque fois que nous allons dans l'Est, je suis très excité, » a déclaré Dumoulin. « J'ai des amis qui m'attendent à Terre-Neuve. C'est un style de vie différent là-bas, et j'adore ça, » conclut le triple champion de la série.

Vingt-cinq voitures inscrites pour le Grand Prix de Toronto

Le retour à une saison complète et à un calendrier traditionnel d'un bout à l'autre du pays est accompagné d'un nombre plus élevé de voitures.

Vingt-cinq voitures sont inscrites à la course de vendredi, le plus grand nombre de voitures à Toronto depuis 2016.

« Nous avons été vraiment encouragés par le nombre et la qualité des voitures et des pilotes qui ont couru jusqu'à présent cette saison », a déclaré Cherie Putnam, directrice de la série NASCAR Pinty's. « Plus important encore, nos pilotes ont offert aux amateurs quatre courses formidables, et nous nous attendons à ce que la course de ce week-end à Toronto poursuive cette tendance. »

Le nombre de voitures a augmenté à chaque course de la saison. Il y avait 25 voitures au CTMP, le nombre le plus élevé depuis 2018. La course à l'Autodrome Chaudière a établi un record de piste avec 23 voitures.

Course Grand Prix de Toronto
Date / Heure de départ Vendredi 15 juillet 2022 / 16 h 00 NST
Piste / Lieu Exhibition Place (Toronto, ON)
TV TSN : TBA / RDS2 TBA
Images en direct Au Canada : TSN.ca / Application TSN; États-Unis : FloRacing

Les amateurs peuvent suivre la série NASCAR Pinty's - et tout ce qui concerne NASCAR au Canada - sur www.nascar.ca, Sur Twitter, Facebook et Instagram.

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Category: Oval Racing

Race number five on the thirteen race 2022 NASCAR Pinty’s Series schedule takes place this Friday July 15th on the streets of Toronto. This event marks the first time in 3 years the series and drivers will race on the 1.755 mile street circuit located at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario. Alex Tagliani, of Lachenaie, Quebec is the defending race and pole winner and has no intentions of relinquishing the title.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to the streets of Toronto” said Tagliani. “Obviously with COVID we missed that past 2 years, but I know for sure all the fans and drivers are incredibly happy to be back. We’re going to put on a great show for everyone!”

This is a big weekend for Tagliani. At the conclusion of the Grand Prix of Toronto, Tag will immediately leave for Tremblant, Quebec as his TAG Motorsports Go-Karting team will be competing in the Canadian Open Championship.

The Grand Prix of Toronto kicks off with practice at 10:15 am ET, followed by qualifying taking place at 11:35 am ET. There will be an autograph session from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in the Enercare Centre. The Grand Prix will go green at 4:00 pm ET. The race will be 35-lap contest with 25 participants.

Fans can follow Alex Tagliani by visiting www.tagliani.com, or by following him on Twitter at @TAGLIANI, or @tagliani18 on Instagram and like him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Tagliani.

NASCAR.ca has live coverage of each event, including live timing and scoring, on Race Center.

The race will be streamed live on TSN.ca/TSN App in Canada and live on FloRacing in the United States.

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Category: Oval Racing

Milverton, Ontario – The NASCAR Pinty’s Series is heading back to a road course tomorrow for the return of the Grand Prix of Toronto after a two-year hiatus due to COVID. Racing will take place on Friday, July 15th at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto, with free admission in support of Make A Wish Canada. The 1.786-mile street circuit with 11 turns is sure to host an exciting race!

Going into the race weekend Treyten Lapcevich is 5th in the 2022 NASCAR Pinty’s Series points standings, and Alex Tagliani is in 7th. In such a competitive series, both drivers are hungry to gain more points in their runs for the championship.

Alex Tagliani’s unquestioned road course talent was highlighted when he secured 1st place the last time the NASCAR Pinty’s Series visited Exhibition Place in 2019. In addition to his 2019 win, Tagliani also claimed the top spot at Exhibition Place in 2016. Still chasing his first 1st-place finish of the 2022 season, he is eager to get racing on the streets of Toronto in his No. 18 Viagra / St Hubert Chevrolet Camaro.

While The Grand Prix of Toronto will be Treyten Lapcevich’s first visit to Exhibition Place, his 3rd-place finish at CTMP in 2021 and his 2nd-place qualifying position at CTMP this year, show that although he may be new to road courses he has proven himself to be a top contender. After finishing 2nd at Eastbound International Speedway, Lapcevich is looking for another solid finish this weekend with his No. 20 FBM / RGC Sports / Qwick Wick Chevrolet Camaro.

Raceday kicks off with a practice and qualifying session at 10:15 a.m., followed by autograph session from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.. The NASCAR Pinty’s Series Grand Prix of Toronto will green at 4:00 p.m..

The race will be 35 laps (61.4 miles), with no mandatory pit stops. In the event of rain, the race will go on as the cars will be equipped for wet weather conditions.

The Grand Prix of Toronto will be streamed LIVE on TSN.ca, the TSN app, and Flo Racing in the United States.

This season the NASCAR Pinty’s Series races on oval tracks and road courses in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. For more information and updates throughout the season, please visit www.22racing.ca and NASCAR.ca.

For the complete 2022 Pinty’s Series Schedule please visit https://www.nascar.ca/schedule/

About 22 Racing

22 Racing is owned by Four-Time NASCAR Pinty’s Series Champion and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame Inductee Scott Steckly. 22 Racing provides highly competitive race cars built in their world-class 7,500 square foot Milverton-based facility and maintained by a team of highly experienced crew members. 22 Racing offers turnkey solutions that range from research and development, construction, testing, logistics to marketing support.

Visit 22racing.ca for additional details and a list of previous notable drivers the team has prepared cars for.

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Category: Oval Racing

Milverton, Ontario – Kyle Steckly is set to make his NASCAR Pinty’s Series debut with 22 Racing during the series’ Western swing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The 17-year-old resident of Milverton, Ontario has an extensive resume behind the wheel, with experience racing Micro Sprints, Junior Late Models, Mini Stocks, and most recently Pro Late Models. Under the guidance of his father, four-time NASCAR Pinty’s Series Champion Scott Steckly, Kyle feels that he is now ready to make the next step in his racing career.

The launch of Steckly’s NASCAR Pinty’s Series career will have continuing support from APC Auto Parts Centres and CANUSA as well as all of their supporters, and long-time 22 Racing sponsors AW Millwrights and Erb Transport who have played a key role in Kyle’s racing journey. Additionally, Kyle will be bringing on new sponsor WingN’It Restaurants. WingN’It restaurants can be found all across Canada, featuring a wide variety of delicious food and specializing in chicken wings.

Without the support and commitment from Steckly’s numerous sponsors, his venture into this highly competitive division would not be possible.

“I’m really happy to carry over the partnership with APC Auto Parts Centres and CANUSA to the Pinty’s Series and excited to create a new relationship with WingN’It Restaurants. I’m really thankful for all of my sponsors' support in making this opportunity possible,” says Steckly.

In 2021, Steckly made a name for himself being crowned the Flamboro Speedway Pro Late Model Champion. In the 2022 Delaware Weekly Series and APC United Late Model Series Steckly has already amassed 1 win and 6 top-five finishes. Being no stranger to oval tracks, Steckly’s experience and adaptability is sure to come into play during this new adventure.

Kyle Steckly will be joining Alex Tagliani and Treyten Lapcevich in the 22 Racing paddock out in Saskatoon. Bringing back his father’s famed No. 22, Kyle will be driving the No. 22 APC Auto Parts Centres / CANUSA / WingN’It Chevrolet Camaro.

“I’m really looking forward to making my NASCAR Pinty’s Series debut with 22 Racing at Sutherland Automotive Speedway. I’ve been around Pinty’s cars all my life so I’m excited to get the opportunity to race one myself. Hopefully we can make a couple more starts in the 2022 season,” says Steckly.

In the start of what is sure to be a long NASCAR Pinty’s Series racing career, Kyle is looking for some solid finishes from the double Leland 125s at Sutherland Automotive Speedway’s ⅜ mile paved oval in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This double-header takes place on Wednesday, July 27th at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, and can be watched LIVE on TSN.ca.

NASCAR Pinty’s Series fans can follow Kyle on Facebook at @KyleSteckly on Twitter at @KyleSteckly and on Instagram at @Kyle_Steckly.

About 22 Racing

22 Racing is owned by Four-Time NASCAR Pinty's Series Champion and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame Inductee Scott Steckly. 22 Racing provides highly competitive race cars built in their world-class 7,500 square foot Milverton-based facility and maintained by a team of highly experienced crew members. 22 Racing offers turnkey solutions that range from research and development, construction, testing, logistics to marketing support.

Visit 22Racing.ca for additional details and a list of previous notable drivers the team has prepared cars for.