MONTMAGNY, QC – The 2024 NASCAR Canada Series presented by Pinty’s and Evirum season came to an exciting close this Sunday at Autodrome Montmagny. The Allrem Racing Evirum/BKFC team, along with driver Steve Côté, entered the final race with high hopes of landing on the podium. However, mechanical issues cut their race short, forcing the early retirement of the #29 car. Despite this setback, the team celebrated a significant achievement as Steve Côté was officially named Rookie of the Year for the 2024 season.
“We’re disappointed not to have secured a podium finish in this last race because we truly believed it was within reach. But winning the Rookie of the Year title is a huge accomplishment,” said Côté. “This season was far from easy, so to take the rookie title really highlights the strength and dedication of the Allrem Racing team. We’re a young team, but we consistently found ways to stand out throughout the season.”
In preparation for the final race, Côté and the Allrem Racing team had completed test sessions at Montmagny Speedway, arriving well-prepared with valuable track knowledge. Côté posted impressive times during practice, ranking 6th and 13th, and followed up with a 5th place qualifying run.
Right from the start of the 250-lap XPN race, Côté was among the frontrunners, suggesting a strong finish was on the horizon. For much of the race, the Allrem Racing Evirum/BKFC driver maintained the second-fastest pace on track. “It was our best race of the year,” he explained. “We were running with the speed of the 2nd and 3rd position cars, and we really believed a podium finish was in sight. Unfortunately, both the differential and the alternator gave out at the same time. We tried everything, but the stars just weren’t aligned for us at this race.”
“This season has been a real learning experience, filled with highs and lows,” said Jonathan Côté, crew chief for Allrem Racing. “But we’ve gained valuable lessons that we’ll carry forward into the future. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished, especially earning the Rookie of the Year title.”
Erik de Pokomandy, President of Allrem Sports & Entertainment, praised the team’s remarkable effort throughout the season. “For a young team like ours, what we’ve achieved in such a short time is extraordinary. We competed with the top five teams, who have years of experience behind them, for nearly the entire season. Steve Côté and the entire team, led by Jonathan Côté, worked tirelessly and made great strides in developing the car throughout the year, always with the same ambition and determination to win,” de Pokomandy noted.
At the final event, the Allrem Racing team also made a special gesture by surprising a young boy and his father, chosen randomly among the crowd, with an invitation to watch the race from the team’s pit box. Equipped with headsets, they listened in on the team’s communications, standing alongside the crew chief and the president of Allrem Sports & Entertainment – an unforgettable experience for the lucky guests who travelled from Chicoutimi for the event.
Although the NASCAR Canada season has come to a close, Allrem Racing will continue their competitive efforts in the United States with driver Treyten Lapcevich in the zMAX CARS Tour series. Treyten is set to compete in the Valleystar Credit Union 300 of the NASCAR Late Model series this Saturday, September 28, at the historic Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.
