A new competition element joins the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières schedule this weekend with the debut of the Omnifab Sprints, two 15-lap Duels that will precede Sunday’s 45 Tours CarGurus.
Inspired by NASCAR’s iconic Daytona Duels, the new format introduces another competition to the weekend. While qualifying will continue to determine the front row for Sunday’s race, the remainder of the starting lineup will be set through two Duels. The finishing order of Duel 1 will establish the inside row of the grid from third position onward, while Duel 2 will determine the outside row.
The format also brings championship implications. The top five finishers in each Duel will also earn championship points, with five points awarded to the winner, followed by four, three, two and one, making Saturday’s races more than just a battle for starting position.
The Daytona Duels have long been one of NASCAR’s signature traditions. Introduced in 1959, the qualifying races determine much of the starting lineup for the DAYTONA 500. Canadian drivers including Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Carpentier have competed in the Daytona Duels during their NASCAR Cup Series careers.
For five-time GP3R winner Andrew Ranger, the addition of the Omnifab Sprints brings something new to one of the longest-running weekends on the NASCAR Canada calendar.
“It’s going to be really fun. After all these years racing at GP3R, it’s something different, especially for the fans,” Ranger said. “It definitely adds a new challenge. It’s going to mean more work for the mechanics and the crew, but I think it adds some excitement to the weekend.”
With only 15 laps to settle the order behind the front row, strategy will play an important role.
“It will depend on how the drivers approach it,” Ranger explained. “Some will push right away, while others might think about saving the car for Sunday’s race. At the same time, everyone wants a good starting position for the feature, so it creates an interesting strategic challenge.”
Ranger, who holds the record with five NASCAR Canada Series victories on the streets of Trois-Rivières, is looking forward to returning to one of his favorite events behind the wheel of the No. 27 GM Paillé Chevrolet.
“I’m happy to be back at GP3R. It’s always special to race in front of my family, friends and sponsors. We’ll be trying to win a sixth race here this weekend.”
Two-time GP3R winner Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, driver of the No. 47 WeatherTech / Bellemare / Omnifab Dodge, believes the Omnifab Sprints will add a new dynamic to one of the NASCAR Canada Series’ most established race weekends.
“I think it’s going to be great for the fans,” Dumoulin said. “It’s going to create a lot of excitement on Saturday with two 15-lap races. It’s hard to know exactly what to expect because you still have to think about preserving your car while making sure you’re in the best possible position for Sunday’s feature race.
The new format also presents a challenge for teams, who must prepare for more than just Sunday’s race.
“Everything is new, so it’s going to be a challenge for the teams from a setup standpoint,” Dumoulin explained. “We’re not preparing for just one race anymore, so there are a lot of little things we’re evaluating. We’ll adapt to the new format and try to make the most of it while keeping ourselves in contention for the championship and putting together strong results.”
Fans can watch the Omnifab Sprints on Saturday at 4:40 p.m. ET and 5:20 p.m. ET, live on REV TV and the NASCAR Canada YouTube channel. Sunday’s 45 Tours CarGurus gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET and will air live on REV TV, TVA Sports, TVA+, and the NASCAR Canada YouTube channel.