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The first time back at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres since 2019 (Photo by Matthew Manor/NASCAR)

QUICK LOOK BACK: Heartbreak and Triumph at GP3R

NASCAR August 17, 2021

The series’ long-awaited return to the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières saw heartbreak for some and triumph for others.

Back in Quebec for the first time since September 2019, the anticipation was building from the second the haulers unloaded.

Hometown hero, L.P. Dumoulin led the field in practice and qualifying on Saturday, even setting a new track record. The reigning race winner was a crowd favourite and started the race with a target on his back.

While L.P. kept the lead until lap 12 when drivers began their mandatory pit stops, the tables turned and Alex Tagliani cycled through to the top.

In the closing laps, despite multiple charges from second and third place and a late-race caution, Tagliani held onto his position and claimed his third win at GP3R and his tenth career victory in the series.

“We were a bit nervous yesterday, we didn’t think that the engine was running the way that it needed to,” explained Tagliani. “The team tried everything, they changed everything that needed to be. It was amazing, the car was exactly back where it needed to be. We had the chance to fight, and it was great for the win.”

The fight for the championship is now forming just three races into the 2021 NASCAR Pinty’s season. Raphael Lessard still sits as the leader but is now just a single point ahead of Tagliani.

“It’s been a long time that we fired up in the championship that good,” said Tagliani. “It looks good in the championship, and we’ll try to continue to put in some good races and try to close the deal.”

RESULTS: Guardian Angels 60 

 

Career-best for JF Dumoulin

While his younger brother, L.P. fell off of a podium spot, JF Dumoulin saw his best finish in the series.

In his only confirmed start for 2021, the oldest Dumoulin brother finished behind Tagliani in second.

“I think I had the speed to fight with Tagliani, but it was hard to pass,” explained JF. “We didn’t know how much to push on the break, with a long run like that, it was a little tricky. I am very happy with our weekend.”

 

Heartbreaks Continue

There were a number of strong contenders who faced problems at GP3R and were either forced to retire from the race or found themselves multiple laps down.

First was Marc-Antoine Camirand who started on the front row but was forced to retire around lap nine because of a transmission failure.

Next was Lessard who had trouble early in the race. The Sunset winner did manage to fight back and finished 14th, only nine laps down.

Newcomer, Kyle Marcelli fought his into the top-five but with ten to go, he broke a rear axle and was forced to retire.

Rick Ware Racing drivers Andrew Ranger and Alex Guenette also faced issues mid-race. Both cars endured a brake failure, with Ranger finishing 19th and Guenette 16th.

 

Strong finish for Lapcevich

Treyten Lapcevich picked up a top-five finish, despite having never raced on an actual road course before.

The rookie finished fourth about 5 seconds behind his teammate Tagliani. The 17-year-old gained the majority of his road course experience on a racing simulator, even competing in the International iRacing Series back in June and July.

 

Onto Circuit ICAR

Next up on the 2021 schedule is Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec. Visiting the road course for the first time since 2017, many road course ringers will be looking for redemption after GP3R. Ranger and Lacroix are the only full-time drivers with wins there but L.P. Dumoulin, Camirand, Tagliani and even Guenette have all picked up top-fives at ICAR.

The Guardian Angels 60 will air on TSN on Sunday, Aug. 22, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Fans in the United States can stream races after they air on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.