Here are five things to know before Leland Industries 250 racing begins Saturday night on the one-third-mile long banked oval track at the Sutherland Automotive Speedway just north of Saskatoon:
The NASCAR Canada series makes a stop Saturday in Saskatoon for the Leland Industries 250.
Here are five things to know before the racing begins Saturday night on the one-third-mile banked oval track at the Sutherland Automotive Speedway just north of Saskatoon:
1. CAMIRAND COMING OFF WIN
Marc-Antoine Camirand sits atop the NASCAR Canada series standings with 249 points, just one point more than Andrew Ranger at 248.
Kevin Lacroix sits in third place with 238 points. L.P. Dumoulin is next at 229 and Jason Hathaway is currently fifth with 223 points.
Last week, Camirand took home his second win of the season by claiming the checkered flag in the Freshstone Dirt Classic at Ohsweken Speedway.
Camirand was able to hold off a field of 19 cars, including NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe, who was making his first NASCAR Canada start, ARCA regular Amber Balcaen, NASCAR legend Ken Schrader and 2016 series champion Cayden Lapcevich.
Camirand — who won the season-opener at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park — led for 92 of 100 laps in his No. 96 Chevrolet, dominating the race to take over the points lead ahead of Ranger, who finished second.
2. WESTERN ROAD SWING
The NASCAR Canada circuit is all set for its annual trip to Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Among those to watch is Hathaway, who will be representing Leland Industries and looking to clinch his first win at the Saskatoon track while scoring some valuable points toward the championship battle in his No. 3 car.
This weekend’s race will be a memorable and emotional event for Mark Dilley as he bids farewell to his illustrious driving career. Dilley — an esteemed member of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, long-time owner, and competitor — will make his final start as a NASCAR Canada driver this weekend in his No. 64 Leland Industries Chevrolet.
Three Western Canadian drivers will participate in this 250-lap event.
Jamie Krzysik, in the No. 46, has made 19 starts over eight years and has a career-best finish of fourth at Edmonton in 2016. Shantel Kalika, in the No. 43, has made 16 NASCAR Canada starts over five years and has a best finish of 11th, twice. Saskatoon’s Matthew Shirley, in the No. 28, has five starts over two years. His best finish was 10th in Edmonton last year.
3. PAST WINNERS IN THE FIELD
D.J. Kennington, who has the No. 17 car, has three wins in Saskatoon and will be looking to capture his fourth, which would break his tie with Scott Steckly and make him the driver with the most wins at the track. Dumoulin has two wins at Saskatoon (2014 and 2019) and will look to return to victory lane in his No. 47.
Ranger and Donald Theetge are the only other active drivers with wins in Saskatoon. Ranger, with his No. 27, won in 2019, while Theetge claimed the win back in 2018 with his No. 80.
Camirand will be looking for his first career win at Sutherland. Also joining the field are Glenn Styres (No. 0), Larry Jackson (84) and Thomas Nepveu (24).
4. DUMOULIN DELIVERS OUT WEST
The Western Canada mini tour, limited to two races this year, is a highly anticipated part of the season for Dumoulin. The three-time NASCAR Canada series champion has recorded three wins and numerous top-5 finishes on Western Canadian tracks in the past.
Dumoulin, who settled for twelfth last week on the dirt track, is looking to gain points during the Western swing. He took his very first career oval victory in Saskatoon back in 2014 and repeated the feat in 2019 after starting from pole position.
“It’s easy to say that you like a track when you win there, but in this case, it’s really a very beautiful oval track and I love the city of Saskatoon as well,” said Dumoulin.
Dumoulin has posted top-four finishes in the last four NASCAR races at the Edmonton International Raceway.
5. RACES ON TSN-PLUS, TSN
Fans can catch the Leland 250 live on TSN+. They can also catch the Leland 250 at a later date on TSN.
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