Driver Raphaël Lessard “joins” the Trois-Rivières Lions - Speedway Digest

Twenty-three-year-old driver Raphaël Lessard will be donning the Lions de Trois-Rivières’ colors… but not on the ice! Rather, he’ll be driving at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R) taking place this weekend (August 9 to 11). He’ll be driving car No. 7 during the NASCAR Pinty’s Series main event; Lessard’s car will sport the Lions’ colors and logo during Sunday’s race.

The Spire connection!

When he assumed ownership of the Lions de Trois-Rivières, Jeff Dickerson said he wanted to become involved in the local Trois-Rivières community and strengthen his ties with GP3R: This announcement is proof positive of that ambition.

“We are extremely proud having Raphaël Lessard drive the No. 7 because sporting the Lions de Trois-Rivières’ colors in the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. This collaboration between Spire Motorsports and the Lions de Trois-Rivières symbolizes our combined commitment to support local talent and to strengthen our presence in the community. We have total confidence in Raphaël and are certain he will be a wonderful ambassador for our two organizations on the track.” – Jeff Dickerson Lions’ owner and Spire Motorsports’ co-owner.

“We knew that with Spire Sports assuming ownership of the Lions, it would result in the team becoming a greater part of the fabric of the Trois-Rivières community. The partnership between our event, the Lions and Raphaël Lessard – who is the only Quebecer to have won a national NASCAR series race – is a case in point. The Lions are not only enabling us to watch Raphaël perform on the track, but he’ll be doing so in a car that is capable of taking the checkered flag! ” – Dominic Fugère, GP3R’s general manager.

“We are very proud to support Raphaël Lessard – an exceptional Quebec talent – at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Getting to see our logo and colors in an event of this magnitude reinforces our commitment to the community and our desire to promote local talent. We wish Raphaël all the success in the world and look forward to seeing him perform on the track.” – Alex Cousineau Lions’ Vice-President, Business Development and Assistant General Manager.

A promising young driver

Still only in his early 20s, Lessard already has an impressive resume: He was the first Quebecer to win a Nascar National Series event, winning the Love’s RV 250 Stop at the legendary Talladega Superspeedway in 2020.

Lessard will be making his fourth appearance on the GP3R track in the NASCAR Pinty’s series. He’s raced in a total of eight NASCAR Canada Pinty’s series events, and 35 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Lessard participated in the NASCAR Canada race – as well as the Chevrolet Urban Challenge race – during last year’s GP3R. Although mechanical failure prevented him from completing the NASCAR race, the Urban Challenge was an entirely different matter as he brought home the checkered flag. Lessard will be out to defend his title this year.

Raphaël Lessard PR