NASCAR Canada: Camirand wins and Ranger takes podium in Saskatoon

Saskatoon, SK – Marc-Antoine Camirand made a strong comeback to win a second consecutive race Saturday when Paillé Course//Racing was at Sutherland Automotive Speedway in Saskatoon, SK, for the start of the NASCAR Canada Series’ Western Swing. Andrew Ranger also scored another strong podium finish, taking third.

Camirand and the Camirand Performance team worked hard all day to find some speed in the GM Paillé/Chevrolet Canada No. 96 Camaro.

“During the practice session we weren’t the fastest for a qualifying simulation, but we had a good car on the long run, on older tyres. Then we went into qualifying and I knew straight away when I went out on track that my car would be very good,” said Camirand, who took pole position.

The driver of the GM Paillé/Chevrolet Canada #96 led the first 100 laps of the race before handing the lead to Ranger. After the halfway break, Camirand dropped back to third, but with about 80 laps remaining in the 250-lap race, he began to close in on the leaders.

“I struggled for a while after the break, but in the long run my car got better and better,” said Camirand.

A yellow flag closed the gap and he was able to pass Ranger for second place on lap 193. During this battle with Ranger, the leader pulled away, but Camirand was then able to pass him as well.

“I pushed hard to close the gap; I gave it everything I had and we had a great battle for the lead,” Camirand said. “This is a huge win for us, we fought really hard all day to get this win. It was a great team effort. Now we extend our lead in the championship and we go to Edmonton, where we have won two races in a row in the last two years.”

Ranger also had another strong race to start NASCAR Canada’s annual trip west. Ranger finished third in both practice and qualifying and showed he had a very fast car right from the start of the race. The driver of the GM Paillé/Chevrolet Canada No. 27 Camaro set a fast pace and took the lead on lap 100.

“My car was really good all day and we were aiming for the win here in Saskatoon,” Ranger said. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep my pace after the midway break.”

Ranger dropped back to second place after a restart on lap 184 and was overtaken by Camirand on lap 193.

“Our GM Paillé/Chevrolet Canada car was fast, but we fell back a little on the long run with our second set of tires; I’m still very happy with this new podium finish,” concluded Ranger.

Camirand leads the NASCAR Canada Series’ drivers’ championship by seven points over second-place Ranger. Paillé Course//Race drivers now head to Edmonton International Raceway, in Wetaskiwin, AB, next Saturday for the conclusion of the NASCAR Canada Series’ Western Swing.

• By Service Presse/Paillé Racing