VALLÉE-JONCTION, QC – The NASCAR Canada Series heads to Quebec for its second race of the 2024 season. On Saturday, Autodrome Chaudière plays host to the Bud Light 300. Momentum is high coming off the ASSA ABLOY Accentra 200, and this track is known to produce both first-time winners and repeat victors during action-packed races.
Located in Vallée-Jonction, Québec, Autodrome Chaudière, also known as ‘Petit Bristol,’ has been a staple on the NASCAR Canada schedule since 2013. This short track, a quarter-mile (0.4 km) paved oval with high banks, delivers close and fast racing.
Series leader and defending champion of the Autodrome Chaudière, Marc-Antoine Camirand (No. 96 GM Paillé Chevrolet) will be looking to maintain his lead and increase the gap in the championship with another win. For Trois-Rivières’ native Louis-Philippe Dumoulin – who finished third in the season opener at CTMP – a win at Autodrome Chaudière is crucial for the title.
Another series star who is set to take the centre stage in the Bud Light 300 is Alex Guénette in the No. 39 Chevrolet. Last year, the young driver scored a top-10 finish at Chaudière. Though he is not racing the entire season, he will be on the hunt for a win in his home province.
NASCAR Canada historians will remember that Jason Hathaway, in 2014 and 2015, became the first racer to win back-to-back at Autodrome Chaudière. Now returning to the series after a year as a crew chief, he will be looking to add a hat trick to his previous two wins in his No. 3 ASSA ABLOY/Accentra Chevrolet.
Photo courtesy of NASCAR, by Matthew Murnaghan)
Previous winners at this track include Marc-Antoine’s teammate and competitor, Andrew Ranger, in the No.27 GM Paillé Chevrolet, who won in 2022 and 2018, and Raphael Lessard, who placed second in 2023. Notably, in 2019, Lessard was the first driver to win their debut race at this track despite the race being shortened due to rain. The local hero is set to return to the track with the newly formed Innovation Auto Sport crew, commanding the No. 48 Larue Dodge.
The Bud Light 300 will be one of two race appearances for William Larue in the No. 45 Larue Chevrolet. Maxime Gauvreau will take his first-ever NASCAR Canada start this weekend in the No. 97 Carrosserie Procolor Beloeil Dodge. Alex Labbé, the 2017 Champion, will command the No. 36 AB Express/ Lussier Chevrolet, placed 5th in the season opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. He will be looking to take the top step this coming Saturday.
Simon Dion-Viens will be making his 2024 season debut in his No. 37 Duclos Chrysler Dodge, participating in his first of the four Québec events. His most recent competition was at GP3R in 2022.
Saturday’s on-track activities will start at noon for Practice, followed by Qualifying at 4 PM ET. The Bud Light 300 will take place at 5:30 PM. Canadian fans can watch the race live on the TSN+ app, and international viewers can tune in on FloRacing.com. The Bud Light 300 will be broadcast on TSN on June 8 at 12:30 PM ET.
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