It’s been more than a year – since last August, in fact – but Andrew Ranger, the winningest driver in the history of the NASCAR Canada Series, is finally back in Victory Lane, taking home the trophy in Sunday’s WeatherTech 200 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP).
Ranger had been a solid contender on the speed charts all weekend long at the 2.459-mile racetrack and finally managed to get the lead from DJ Kennington (who was on an alternate strategy) with less than 15 laps to go, pulling away from the field by six-plus seconds in the closing laps before a caution was displayed for Peter Klutt with less than five to go.
The Roxton Pond, Quebec-native then had to endure NASCAR Overtime, with his former teammate Marc-Antoine Camirand (looking to secure a record-breaking eighth win of the season) hot on his tail, making a defense run to the caution and checkered flag, which was displayed moments after the leaders crossed the line due to a wreck on the frontstretch.
“A long race actually,” Ranger said post-race. “We’ve been patient. I was starting to save my tire, my car to the end, and I was not hoping for a green-white-checkered; I can tell you that, and with five to go, my spotter told me the yellow flag, and I was like, oh my god, it’s going to get interesting there.”
The victory in Sunday’s WeatherTech 200 at CTMP marks the 36th win of Ranger’s career in the NASCAR Canada Series – the most all-time – and his fourth at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in what was his 30th Canada Series start at the racetrack.
“Overall, I want to thank my team, my crew. First win of the year, last race of the season, I think, and we put the No. 27 GM Paille Chevrolet in the front. It’s unbelievable. I want to thank Mathieu Kingsbury, all my team, and my guys.”
Marc-Antoine Camirand, with a second-place finish in his No. 96 GM Paille Chevrolet Camaro, has clinched his fourth championship in the NASCAR Canada Series, and third title in a row. Camirand will have one more race, at Delaware Speedway next weekend, to secure his record-breaking eighth victory.
Cayden Lapcevich, making his first start in the NASCAR Canada Series since the 2024 season finale at Delaware Speedway, finished in third position, driving the No. 76 for Glenn Styres Racing and Velocity Race Cars.
Alex Guenette finished in fourth position, one week removed from his second career win at Circuit ICAR. LP Dumoulin rounded out the top-five in the No. 47 WeatherTech Dodge.
Gary Klutt finished sixth, with J.R. Fitzpatrick making his return to the NASCAR Canada Series with a seventh-place finish. Justin Arseneau finished eighth, with Will Larue and Alex Tagliani rounding out the top-10. Polesitter Kyle Steckly finished just outside the top-10 in 11th after having to serve a pit road penalty in the middle of the race.
The NASCAR Canada Series will finish the season next weekend at Delaware Speedway.
