Marc-Antoine Camirand Outruns Field to Score Third Win of 2023 at GP3R

Marc-Antoine Camirand still has a long way to go if he’s hoping to challenge Treyten Lapcevich for the 2023 NASCAR Pinty’s Series championship. So, a trip to victory lane in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, probably doesn’t hurt.

Camirand, the defending champion of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, had the fastest vehicle throughout the majority of Sunday’s 60-lap contest, but after electing to make his pit stop early, was set back in traffic with a mixture of faster and slower cars.

With rules in place that each competitor must pit for fuel at least once within the first 50 laps of the race, the green-flag cycle quickly worked its way out, allowing the battle for the lead to play out throughout the second half of the race.

Upon the completion of green-flag stops, there were a pair of drivers that strategized themselves into a prime position, holding the top-two spots, despite being somewhat close on fuel.

Gary Klutt and LP Dumoulin, who had pitted under the first caution of Sunday’s event, put themselves in the lead and in great position in order to either score the victory or score a much better finish than their running position would dictate.

However, the strength of Marc-Antoine Camirand made the chances at victory for Klutt and Dumoulin nearly non-existent, as the No. 96 Chevrolet Camaro was able to quickly work around the No. 47 Dodge on a late-race restart, and set sail away from the pack.

By the end, Camirand had sailed away by 2.287 seconds over LP Dumoulin, who was able to save some fuel to finish in the runner-up position. Alex Tagliani came home in third, more than 10 seconds behind the race-winner. Gary Klutt and DJ Kennington rounded out the top-five.

Treyten Lapcevich, who entered the event as the championship points leader, lost a little bit of his advantage on Sunday, finishing in sixth. Brandon Watson, Alex Guenette, JP Bergeron, and Thomas Nepveu completed the top-10.

Andrew Ranger and Kevin Lacroix both had extremely short afternoons in Quebec, after an intense first-lap accident saw the NAPA Auto Parts No. 74 launch overtop of Ranger in the second corner.

An unbelievable crash on the opening lap of the NASCAR Pinty's Series event at Trois-Rivières.

Kevin Lacroix was literally LAUNCHED onto the roof of Andrew Ranger. Both drivers have since climbed out of their vehicles.#NASCAR | @NASCARPintys | #GP3R pic.twitter.com/HDNurl5ViC

— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) August 6, 2023

Leaving the ninth event on the 14-race schedule, Lapcevich continues to have an enormous point lead over MA Camirand, who now sits 31 points behind the leader. Alex Tagliani, LP Dumoulin, and Alex Guenette are the new top-five in standings.

STANDINGS – @NASCARPintys (After 9/14):

1. Treyten Lapcevich 401pts
2. MA Camirand (-31)
3. Alex Tagliani (-52)
4. LP Dumoulin (-58)
5. Alex Guenette (-71)
6. Kevin Lacroix (-72)
7. DJ Kennington (-97)
8. JP Bergeron (-101)
9. Brandon Watson (-103)
10. Larry Jackson (-106)…

— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) August 6, 2023

NASCAR Pinty’s Series Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres Race Results: