Andre Lortie will race in PRO and OPEN in the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season – The owner-driver will make his debut in a V8 touring car

• Andre Lortie will enter the #16 car in the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series
• The Canadian will race in PRO and OPEN as the owner-driver of Hunter Aviation Racing
• The gentleman driver is looking forward to tame a V8 beast

The roar of V8 engines across the Atlantic is getting a distinctively Canadian accent this season. Quebec’s own Andre Lortie has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season, bringing a high-flying pedigree and a brand-new team to the grid: Hunter Aviation Racing.

Lortie isn’t just showing up to fill a spot on the entry list; he’s taking on the ultimate iron-man challenge by pulling double duty and founding a NASCAR Euro Series team. The Canadian veteran is slated to compete in both the PRO and OPEN divisions, steering the #16 machine under his own team banner.

From the Skies to the Short Tracks

Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and performance, Hunter Aviation Racing joins the series with a straightforward mentality. Andre Lortie, owner and President of Hunter Aviation International is a former Snowbirds pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast. He flew more than 950 solo and formation aerobatic airshows and now supports a fleet of Hawker Hunter fighter jets dedicated to advanced military training that combine precision, heritage, and high-performance operations.

The NASCAR Euro Series series represents the perfect stage to showcase Hunter Aviation’s performance and legacy. Lortie’s professional life in aviation demands precision, split-second decision-making, and a cool head under pressure – traits that translate perfectly to the door-to-door combat of the series.

“I’m happy to join the series,” Lortie said following his confirmation. “It is a great challenge and will be a great thrill.” While the heavy-metal machines of this series are a departure from the skies, Lortie is no stranger to the driver’s seat. His racing resume is a versatile map of motorsport discipline. Rally – forging the car-control skills needed when the back end steps out – and GT cars – developing the finesse and braking markers required for high-downforce road course racing.

A New Owner-Driver Threat

The decision to field his own team adds a layer of “old school” grit to the 2026 season. In an era of massive multi-car operations, the owner-driver remains a fan favorite, embodying the independent spirit that built the sport. Taking the green flag in both divisions means Lortie will be getting maximum seat time – a strategic move that could pay dividends as he learns the nuances of these high-torque beasts on Europe’s most iconic tracks.

Keep an eye on the #16 this year. With a background in the woods of rally and the prestige of GT cars, Lortie’s transition to the big-bore world of American-style racing is one of the most intriguing storylines of the preseason.

Featured image by Hunter Aviation Racing