Trois-Rivières Lions announced that NASCAR Canada representative Raphaël Lessard will be racing in GP3R with a Chevrolet Camaro sponsored by the ECHL champions.
Canadian race fans are set to witness a dogfight between two drivers that were involved in NASCAR Euro Series and NASCAR Canada Series’ drivers exchange program at Grand Prix Trois-Rivières (GP3R).
Raphaël Lessard, NASCAR Canada’s representative, will enter the race with Team 3 Red/EHR. Lessard will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro sponsored by current minor league ECHL champions Trois-Rivières Lions.
The No. 7 Trois-Rivières Lions Camaro is the same car that Lessard raced in last year’s edition of GP3R. The entry was run by Spire Motorsports in 2024, who made a one-off appearance in NASCAR Canada.
That year, Lessard finished third behind eventual series champion Marc-Antoine Camirand and Xfinity Series regular Alex Labbé.
“The Trois-Rivières Lions are proud to announce that young race car driver Raphaël Lessard will once again represent the Lions’ colors during the NASCAR Canada event at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R),” the Lions announced on 30 July 2025.
“Last summer, in the main event of the GP3R, the Beauce native and his #7 car finished on the third step of the podium, behind Marc-Antoine Camirand and Alex Labbé. It’s worth noting that the Lions-themed car started the race from 11th position on the starting grid.”
Lessard will join EuroNASCAR champion Vittorio Ghirelli, who will race the No. 50 Rousseau Metal Camaro at Trois-Rivières.
Both Lessard and Ghirelli are selected to represent their respective championships in NASCAR International’s renewed drivers exchange program.
Ghirelli’s trans-Atlantic appearance is going to be followed by Lessard’s own overseas wildcard race at Oschersleben in September. Lessard is set to be driving the No. 75 Rousseau Metal Camaro in Germany.
“I’m excited and proud to represent the Lions again this year,” said Lessard in Lions’ press release. “The bar is high. I definitely want to win the race, just like the Lions did with the championship this year.”
“Last year, I finished third, so now I need to climb the remaining two steps of the podium to take first place, but the competition will definitely be fierce again this year.”
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