A unique exchange between NASCAR International Series will see two drivers cross the Atlantic in 2025 – Raphael Lessard will race in EuroNASCAR at Raceway Venray while the European PRO leader will compete in Canada’s Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres
- The NASCAR Euro Series promotes a unique exchange between Europe and Canada
- Raphael Lessard will race in EuroNASCAR’s oval race at Raceway Venray in June
- The European PRO leader after Venray will compete at Trois-Rivieres in August
The NASCAR Euro Series continues to expand its international appeal, and in 2025, a unique transatlantic exchange will be back on the stage: Canadian racing talent Raphael Lessard will join the EuroNASCAR grid for the June round at Raceway Venray, while the EuroNASCAR PRO championship leader after the EuroNASCAR oval race will head to Canada for a one-off at the legendary Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres (GP3R) in the NASCAR Canada Series. This landmark exchange not only connects the two NASCAR-sanctioned series in a unique way, but also brings top-tier talent into the spotlight on both continents.
Lessard, 23 years old, is no stranger to NASCAR fans. He made his name in the United States competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where in 2020 he became the first Canadian to win a race for Kyle Busch Motorsports. His triumph at Talladega Superspeedway cemented his reputation as a strong driver with serious oval skills. The native of Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec has since remained a prominent figure in the Canadian racing scene and is now ready for a new challenge on European soil.
Lessard’s NASCAR Euro Series debut will take place at one of the most unique venues on the calendar: the high-banked Raceway Venray in the Netherlands — the only oval circuit in the EuroNASCAR schedule. A natural fit for a driver with his background, Venray offers the perfect playground for Lessard to showcase his raw pace and oval craft.
“I’ll be heading to the Netherlands in June to represent Canada in the NASCAR Euro Series,” Lessard announced on social media. “I’ll be the second Canadian after Jacques Villeneuve [sic] to start in this championship, and I’m honored to do so at the only oval in the series.” Besides Villeneuve, JF Dumoulin from Canada already raced in EuroNASCAR in 2018 when he was part of the first leg of the exchange program between NASCAR in Europe and Canada.
Lessard’s presence in the EuroNASCAR field is more than a guest start — it’s a symbolic and strategic moment that reflects NASCAR’s growing global presence and the strong ties between North American and European stock car racing.
In return, the leader of the EuroNASCAR PRO championship standings after the Venray round will earn the opportunity to race in front of thousands of passionate fans at GP3R in August — one of the crown jewels of the NASCAR Canada Series. This event, held on the tight street circuit of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, is a staple in Canadian motorsport culture and a proving ground for aggressive, technical racing.
The exchange will offer European drivers a taste of the North American NASCAR atmosphere, while giving Canadian fans a look at the best Europe has to offer. This driver swap is more than just a promotional stunt — it’s a celebration of NASCAR’s international reach and the shared spirit of competition that binds racers across continents. Raphael Lessard’s run at Raceway Venray is expected to draw increased attention to the event, with Canadian media and fans already expressing excitement over the news.
At the same time, the EuroNASCAR championship leader will have the rare chance to measure themselves against Canada’s best in one of the most challenging events on the NASCAR Canada calendar. 2025 is shaping up to be a milestone season for global NASCAR cooperation — and it starts with a Canadian star lighting up a Dutch oval.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series
