Daytona (Florida, United States), February 20, 2021 - Raphael Lessard once again demonstrated his talent yesterday on the Daytona International Speedway road course at the wheel of the Silverado #24 Canac truck prepared by GMS Racing. 

It was raining at the start of the second truck race of the season, and it was a learning experience for Raphael Lessard who was racing on a road circuit for the first time on a wet track. Twelfth at the start, according to the calculation of the algorithm, the 19-year-old Beauceron went into a spin after being pushed by one of his teammates on the first lap. Raphael Lessard was able to move up through the field from last place and win the second segment.
 

A second incident caused significant damage to the left rear bodywork of the Canac truck and, a few laps later, caused a flat tire that forced him to stop at the pits from seventh place, just a few laps from the end of the race. Raphael Lessard crossed the finish line in 26th position in a race punctuated by multiple caution periods and two overtime green-white-checkered flag restarts.
 

The Race From Raphael Lessard’s Viewpoint
“After a good start from 12th position, I was hit and pushed off the track on the first lap, dropping to 30th position, with several slower drivers in front of me. I quickly climbed back up a dozen positions before a caution period on lap 7. I stopped for fuel and a set of new rain tires, and to make sure that nothing was rubbing against the bodywork. I restarted in 15th position on lap 12 and finished the first stage in 12th position. I restarted for the second stage from 7th place, then passed several quick drivers on the way to the lead for a few laps, and then winning the second stage and more of those important bonus points,” explained the driver of the Canac #24 Silverado.

“I restarted from fourth place for the third stage and was involved in a few incidents that left me 15th on lap 30. I was then hit again at the rear on lap 36 when I was back up to 9th position. Everything looked OK to race safely despite this major impact. Then when I was back up to 7th place in the final laps, I had a puncture on the left rear tire. I restarted beyond 20th and ended up 26th place after several restarts. I want to thank Canac for their support and GMS Racing for the excellent teamwork throughout the race,” said a slightly frustrated driver after such a good first half of the race.

Date: February 19, 2021 

Event: BrakeFest Brake Pads 159 At Daytona Presented by O’Reilley (race 2 of 22) 

Track: Daytona International Speedway (Florida – 3,56 road course)
Format: Three segments of 12 |13 | 19 laps
Start/Result: 12th | 26th (completed all the laps in the 51-lap overtime race)
Winner: Ben Rhodes from ThorSport Racing (Toyota)

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Ménard, Les Équipes Caissie-Ménard inc.
Business Consultant, Raphael Lessard Racing
Mobile: 819.448.6514 – Email: jmenard@caissiemenard.com