Riverside International Speedway has a reputation for exposing weaknesses, rewarding discipline, and reminding drivers that 300 laps on a high‑banked bullring is never simple. On Saturday night, during the NASCAR Canada Series’ annual visit to the Maritimes, Kevin Lacroix showed exactly what it looks like when a team arrives prepared and executes from start to finish. His win in the Pinty’s 300 wasn’t flashy or chaotic. It was steady, controlled, and the kind of performance that can shift the tone of a season.
The weekend didn’t begin smoothly. Rain moved through the region and wiped out qualifying, forcing officials to set the starting order based on practice speeds. Donald Theetge had been quickest in both sessions, so he rolled off from the pole in the No. 80 Chevrolet. It wasn’t the ideal scenario for anyone, but the field adapted and focused on the long night ahead.
Once the race went green, Theetge and Marc‑Antoine Camirand immediately set the pace. They traded the lead in the early laps, each taking turns at the front as they settled into the rhythm of the opening run. Their battle was tight but respectful, two veterans pushing hard without stepping over the line. Behind them, Andrew Ranger began making progress. His approach was patient, picking off positions one at a time until he found himself in second. Kevin Lacroix wasn’t far behind.
He didn’t force anything early, instead letting the race come to him. His No. 74 Valvoline / NAPA Racing Chevrolet looked balanced, and as the laps added up, it became clear he had a car capable of running at the front. Not everyone had a clean start. D.J. Kennington suffered a flat left‑front tire that forced him to pit under green, a setback that cost him valuable track position. Others dealt with handling changes as the track tightened up, the kind of subtle shift that can make a strong car feel unpredictable.
As the race moved deeper into its first half, Lacroix’s pace began to stand out. He reeled in Theetge and took over the lead with confidence, showing the kind of long‑run strength that often decides races at Riverside. When the first competition caution came out, Lacroix handled the restart cleanly, holding off Alex Guenette while Theetge settled back into second.
Camirand regrouped and climbed back into the top three as the field approached the second scheduled caution at Lap 200. By that point, the front of the field had taken on a familiar shape: Lacroix leading, Theetge chasing, and a rotating group of contenders trying to keep pace. He wasn’t charging recklessly; he was rebuilding his race one measured lap at a time. By the time the caution arrived, Camirand looked like a driver who had fully reset and was ready to take another swing at the leaders.
The final 100 laps were all about execution. Lacroix didn’t overdrive the corners, didn’t get caught up in traffic, and didn’t give Theetge a real opening. Theetge stayed close enough to keep pressure on him, but not close enough to attempt a serious challenge. L.P. Dumoulin made a late charge into third and began closing on Theetge, but Lacroix remained in full control.
When the checkered flag waved, the result felt earned. No luck, no chaos, no last‑second drama, just a strong car, a focused driver, and a team that hit every mark. After the race, Lacroix made it clear how important the win was for his group. They’ve had speed this season, but not always the results to show for it. Riverside gave them a clean night, and they made the most of it.
Theetge finished second and left satisfied with the effort, even as his car loosened up in the closing laps. Dumoulin rounded out the podium, encouraged by the progress his team has made and confident that a win is within reach. With Riverside complete, the series now heads back to Quebec for a doubleheader at Autodrome Montmagny, a weekend that could play a major role in shaping the mid‑season picture.
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