DELAWARE, ON – Delaware Speedway hosted the penultimate event of the NASCAR Canada season on Sunday, where Kevin Lacroix captured the win in the Delaware 200. The race took place under clear skies and intense sunshine. In the morning practice session, Marc-Antoine Camirand posted the fastest lap in the No.96 GM Paillé Chevrolet. However, in qualifying, it was Lacroix who took the pole with a lap time of 18.905 seconds, securing the E3 Spark Plugs Pole Award.
Local fans gathered to cheer for drivers D.J. Kennington in the No.17 Castrol Edge/Brimstone Games/CIM Metals Dodge and Kyle Steckly in the No.22 APC/Pennzoil/Sierra Excavating Chevrolet. It was also a special day for Ryan Dyson, making his NASCAR Canada debut in the No.19 Douglas Window & Door/Bingo Country Chevrolet, though his race ended early due to a mechanical issue.
When the green flag dropped for the 200-lap race, Lacroix took command in his No.74 Quick Strut/NAPA Racing Dodge, with Cayden Lapcevich close behind in the No.32 GSR/Ohsweken Speedway/Chantarellie Promotions Chevrolet. Andrew Ranger, starting from fourth, quickly moved up the field in his No.27 GM Paillé Chevrolet, overtaking both Lapcevich and Steve Côté in the No.29 Evirum/BKFC Chevrolet.
Several early cautions shaped the first 100 laps, setting up a fierce battle between Lacroix and Ranger as they traded the lead. Meanwhile, positions shuffled continuously behind them.
In the first half of the race, a collision between Steckly and Jason Hathaway in the No.3 ASSA ABLOY/Leland Industries Chevrolet caused a caution, sending both drivers down the order. Marc-Antoine Camirand also spun out but managed to rejoin the race quickly.
Lapcevich remained in striking distance of Lacroix and Ranger, never letting them pull away while defending his position from Kennington, who was making significant moves to advance. Donald Theetge also joined the Top 5 battle, overtaking Kennington in his No.80 Groupe Theetge/Vulcain Chevrolet.
Further back, young driver Danny Chisholm worked his way up to seventh in the No.8 Fast Eddie Speedwear/Jani-King Chevrolet. Steckly was also on the rise, sitting in eighth place just before the mandatory caution came out with less than 100 laps remaining.
Misfortune struck Theetge as a problem on the restart forced him to retire. This opened the door for Hathaway to re-enter the Top 5, where he fought Lapcevich for fourth. At the front, Ranger was glued to Lacroix’s rear bumper, looking for an opportunity to pass.
In a hard-fought battle, Steckly and Hathaway traded positions, with Hathaway losing four spots after going wide in a corner. The second half of the race was far calmer than the first, with only one caution caused by Glenn Styres in the No.0 GSR/Ohsweken Speedway/Chantarellie Promotions Chevrolet.
Lapcevich also faced trouble on the restart, dropping down the order, allowing Louis-Philippe Dumoulin in the No.47 WeatherTech/OmniFab Dodge to claim a spot in the Top 5, with Camirand just behind.
Ultimately, it was Kevin Lacroix who crossed the finish line first, sealing a win in a race that was both chaotic and calm at times. Andrew Ranger and D.J. Kennington completed the podium in second and third, while Kyle Steckly and L.P. Dumoulin rounded out the Top 5.
“This is our fifth win of the season,” Lacroix said in the Evirum winner’s circle. “The car was really strong here, and we finished first and second for Innovation Auto Sport, so it’s been a fantastic day. I’m excited for the finale.”
“The No.27 car was fast and excellent,” Andrew Ranger said. “The No.74 had a bit more speed, but we had a great Chevrolet. I pushed hard but also tried to save the tires in case of a late restart. It’s a great result and good for the points. I’m very happy!”
Ranger added, “This season has gone really well for us. It’s been a lot of hard work over the last two years to get back on the podium in nearly every race. I’m here to prove I’m fast with a good car and a great team.”
“The Castrol Edge car was fantastic today,” D.J. Kennington said. “We did well in practice and qualifying, and I’m very proud of the team. We’ve learned a lot this season and made good progress with the car. It’s been tough on the ovals this year, but this is my home track, and I knew if I could get a good result anywhere, it would be here. I’m thrilled for my partners and everyone who helped make this possible.”
NASCAR Canada will return to the track on September 22 at Autodrome Montmagny, where the season champion will be crowned.
