One year after making his NASCAR Canada Series debut on the streets of Trois-Rivières, Italian driver Vittorio Ghirelli returns to the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières looking to turn last year’s promising pace into a strong finish.
The reigning NASCAR Euro Series V8GP champion will once again be behind the wheel of the No. 50 Rousseau Métal Chevrolet as he returns to the streets of Trois-Rivières.
A Special Event on the Calendar
For Ghirelli, GP3R quickly became more than just another race weekend.
“GP3R immediately became one of my favourite events,” he said. “The atmosphere is incredible, with thousands of passionate fans and a city that truly embraces motorsport. The circuit is very technical and unforgiving. It’s a fast street course where you have to be precise every lap because there’s no room for mistakes. Racing there feels very special.”
The Fasano, Italy, native has established himself as one of the top competitors in the NASCAR Euro Series. After winning the OPEN championship in 2020, Ghirelli captured back-to-back V8GP titles in 2024 and 2025. He currently leads the 2026 V8GP championship as he looks to become the first driver to win three consecutive titles.
Learning From Last Year
Although his NASCAR Canada Series debut ended prematurely, Ghirelli believes last year’s experience will prove valuable.
“Last year we showed great pace and were running inside the top eight against very strong competition before unfortunately losing the car in a fire,” he said. “It was disappointing because we had the potential for a great result. That experience gave me confidence and valuable data about the circuit.”
“This year we come back much better prepared, and our goal is to fight at the front and bring home the result we deserved last season.”
Adapting to NASCAR Canada
Having raced in different categories throughout his career, Ghirelli says the NASCAR Canada Series presents a unique challenge.
“Every championship has its own characteristics,” he explained. “The NASCAR Canada car requires a different driving style, especially on corner entry and weight transfer, but that’s something I really enjoy.”
He was also impressed by the level of competition during his first visit to Canada.
“I was really impressed by the professionalism of the championship and the level of the drivers,” Ghirelli said. “The racing is competitive, and the organization is excellent. I was also amazed by the passion of the Canadian fans. They create an incredible atmosphere throughout the entire weekend.”
Ready for Another Opportunity
For Ghirelli, preparation for a race like GP3R begins well before arriving at the circuit. He studies onboard footage and previous editions of the event, spends time in the simulator, and follows a rigorous physical and mental training routine. Once at the track, his attention turns to working closely with the team to maximize every session.
“We’re coming here to be competitive,” he said. “Last year we proved we had the speed to fight inside the top positions before our race ended unexpectedly. This year the goal is simple: maximize every session, qualify well, stay out of trouble and fight for a podium. We know what we’re capable of, and we’re ready to deliver a strong result.”
Before returning to the streets of Trois-Rivières, Ghirelli also expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to compete once again in Canada.
“I’d like to sincerely thank NASCAR Euro Series, Jérôme and Anne Galpin, Martin D’Anjou, Rousseau Métal, Festidrag TV and all of my partners for making this possible. Finally, thank you to all the Canadian fans for the incredible support. I’m excited to be back at GP3R. I love Canada, and I’ll give everything I have to fight for a great result.”
Coverage begins Saturday with the Omnifab Sprints, airing live at 4:40 p.m. ET on REV TV and the NASCAR Canada YouTube channel. Sunday’s Le 45 Tours CarGurus will be broadcast live at 2 p.m. ET on REV TV, TVA Sports, TVA+ and the NASCAR Canada YouTube channel, with tape-delayed coverage available on TSN.