Canada will have a strong presence at Watkins Glen International this weekend as four drivers are scheduled to compete across the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series. Canadian motorsport legend Ron Fellows will also be part of the weekend festivities, serving as Grand Marshal for Friday evening’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Bully Hill Vineyards 176 at The Glen.
Alex Guenette will compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race aboard the No. 92 Chevrolet for DGM Racing, owned by Mario Gosselin. Guenette replaces Josh Williams for the event and returns to a familiar environment.
“I’m happy about this opportunity,” said Guenette. “The last time I raced with Mario, I finished 15th at the Chicago Street Course race in 2023, so the goal this time is to do even better. It’s a good challenge because I’ve only raced this car once on a road course. I’ll get comfortable with the car and improve through every session leading up to the race. I’m looking forward to it and I want to thank DGM RACING, DLGL, Optum and Call811 for their support. It’s a great way to sharpen my skills before the NASCAR Canada season.”
A well-known figure in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Alex Labbé will return to Watkins Glen this weekend aboard the No. 0 Chevrolet for SS-GreenLight Racing.
“I haven’t raced at Watkins Glen since 2023 because it always conflicted with GP3R,” explained Labbé. “I’m really looking forward to getting back on track there and, with the weather forecast for this weekend, it could get interesting. We’ll have to be ready for anything.”
In the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Canada Series champion Andrew Ranger will make his return to ARCA competition behind the wheel of the No. 53 Chevrolet for veteran owner Robert Torriere.
For Ranger, the outing represents both a reunion and another opportunity to gain additional seat time on one of North America’s premier road courses.
“It’s a great opportunity to race with Robert Torriere,” said Ranger. “We raced together for four years with Waste Management as a sponsor in Xfinity and ARCA. The goal is to gain experience, have fun over there and it would be great to finish in the top five.”
Also entered in the ARCA Menards Series field is Kyle Steckly, who will make the second ARCA Menards Series start of his career this weekend aboard the No. 2 APC Auto Parts Centres Toyota for RAFA Racing.
“I’m really excited for the weekend. It’s a great opportunity with the Toyota Racing Development Program and RAFA Racing making their first ARCA Menards Series road course start”, said Steckly. “There are a lot of strong competitors in the field, but I think we have a solid car. I’ll use my experience from the NASCAR Canada Series to help us at Watkins Glen and have a good run.”
Canadians fans can follow the drivers throughout the weekend at Watkins Glen International:
- ARCA Menards Series General Tire 100 at The Glen: Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET on REV TV
- NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen: Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on TSN.