Raphael Lessard joins Alumitec Racing full-time to hunt the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series OPEN title – The Canadian will share the car with series powerhouse Gianmarco Ercoli
- Raphael Lessard will be back in the NASCAR Euro Series
- The Canadian will join Alumitec Racing in the OPEN championship
- The 24-year-old will team up with Gianmarco Ercoli in the #11 car
The 2026 NASCAR Euro Series grid just gained a massive dose of North American star power. Alumitec Racing officially announced today that Canadian standout Raphael Lessard will join the organization for a full-season title charge, piloting the #11 machine in the OPEN division. In 2025, the 24-year-old already got the first taste of European pure NASCAR racing thanks to an exchange promoted by Team FJ, owner and organizer of the NASCAR Euro Series.
The move marks a significant homecoming of sorts for the NASCAR brand, as one of Canada’s most decorated young talents crosses the Atlantic to join forces with former V8GP champion Gianmarco Ercoli. The two will share the #11 entry, creating a powerhouse “super-team” dynamic that places Alumitec firmly at the top of the preseason favorites list.
At 24 years old, Lessard arrives in the paddock with a pedigree that commands immediate respect from the garage area. A former winner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and a dominant force in the high-stakes world of Super Late Models and the NASCAR Canada Series, Lessard is widely regarded as one of the most versatile drivers to emerge from the Canadian ranks in recent years.
For Lessard, the move represents more than just a seat – it’s a chance to take his aggressive driving style to some of the most iconic road courses in the world.
“Really excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race all around Europe with a great team and great group of people around me,” Lessard said. “I will try to bring my experience to Alumitec Racing to make us all better! I know it’s going to be really challenging going to all new places, but I’m ready for the challenge!”
Alumitec Racing isn’t just looking for podiums; they are looking to dominate. By pairing Lessard with Ercoli, and fielding Nelson Piquet Jr. and Ofek Eliyahu in the sister #48 car, the team has assembled a “quad-driver” roster that balances championship-winning grit with raw, international speed.
Chief Operating Officer Romain Iannetta highlighted the strategic importance of the Canadian’s arrival: “Raphael is a race winner. He brings speed, discipline, and a championship mindset. His track record speaks for itself. We are building a program to win, and he is a key part of that vision.”
When he isn’t trading paint on the track, the Vallee-Jonction native stays busy as the Sales Director for Drink XPN and maintains his competitive edge through hockey and snowmobiling-staples of his Canadian upbringing that have forged his “never-quit” reputation on the track.
With the support of Alumitec owner Alain Lord Mounir, Rousseau Metal, XPN, and Martin D’Anjou, Lessard heads into the 2026 campaign with the technical backing and veteran leadership required to be a factor from the drop of the first green flag.
Featured image by Alumitec Racing
