Raphaël Lessard heads to Zolder with everything still to play for in the NASCAR Euro Series championship
With just 24 days remaining before the NASCAR Euro Series finale at Circuit Zolder, the championship battle has reached its decisive stage. For Alumitec Racing and Canadian driver Raphaël Lessard, the equation is simple: 12 points separate him from the top of the OPEN championship standings.
After an outstanding playoff weekend at Vallelunga, Lessard has put himself firmly in the championship fight. The Quebec driver swept both OPEN races in Italy, collecting two victories during a weekend where double points dramatically increased the stakes. He leaves Vallelunga with 382 points, just 12 behind championship leader Thomas Toffel on 394.
Now, all attention turns to Belgium.
From Vallelunga to Zolder
Lessard’s performance in Italy was about more than adding trophies to the Alumitec Racing collection. It demonstrated his ability to deliver when the pressure and championship consequences were at their highest.
Throughout the 2026 season, Lessard has developed into one of the major forces in the OPEN division. His recent run has transformed the championship picture, but Zolder presents a completely different challenge.
The Belgian circuit rewards precision. Its combination of heavy braking zones, technical chicanes and acceleration out of slower corners means that a driver cannot rely on outright speed alone. Car placement, braking consistency, traction and avoiding mistakes will all play major roles.
And with only 12 points separating Lessard from the championship lead, every position could matter.
There is no complicated strategy at Alumitec Racing over the next 24 days. The objective is preparation.
Every component, every setup decision and every piece of data will be examined before the No. 11 arrives at Zolder.
One final battle
For Lessard, the opportunity represents another chapter in a career that has already taken him from racing in Canada to victory in the NASCAR Truck Series and now to the heart of a European championship battle.
But past achievements will not decide what happens in Belgium.
Zolder Belgium will.
The championship remains open, and the margins are extremely small. Lessard does not need anyone to remind him what is at stake. Four consecutive victories across Most and Vallelunga have brought him into this position.
The next challenge is turning that momentum into execution when the cars roll onto the track in Belgium.
For Alumitec Racing, these next 24 days will therefore be spent doing what a racing team does best: preparing, analyzing and searching for every possible improvement.
There will be long hours in the workshop. Engineers will study data. Mechanics will prepare the car. Every detail that can be controlled will receive attention.
Because when the green flag falls at Zolder, preparation ends.
Then it comes down to the driver, the car and the track.
Raphaël Lessard arrives at the final round with a championship within reach and one clear objective ahead of him.
24 days.
12 points.
One Mission.
Zolder Belgium awaits.
