Marc-Antoine Camirand Captures Another NASCAR Canada Series Championship with Dominant XPN 250 Performance
The emotion was palpable at Autodrome Montmagny as Marc-Antoine Camirand crossed the finish line Sunday afternoon, not just winning the XPN 250 but securing his third NASCAR Canada Series championship. For racing fans who understand the grind of a full season, watching Camirand celebrate with his crew after clinching back-to-back titles was pure magic.
Camirand Enters Finale as Championship Favorite
Three drivers entered Sunday’s season finale with championship hopes still alive. Camirand held a 20-point advantage over DJ Kennington, while Andrew Ranger trailed by 25 points heading into the 250-lap showdown. The mathematics were simple for Camirand – finish 10th or better and the championship trophy would be his, regardless of what his competitors accomplished.
The championship battle brought an electric atmosphere to the Quebec venue. Fans knew they were witnessing something special, with three seasoned veterans battling for racing’s ultimate prize in Canada’s premier stock car series.
Practice and Qualifying Set the Stage
Saturday’s lone practice session belonged to Donald Theetge, who had momentum after sweeping both races at Delaware Speedway the previous weekend. His quick time of 17.679 seconds at 76.362 mph sent a clear message – he came to Montmagny to make it three wins in a row.
Championship leader Camirand sat second in practice, showing the speed that had carried him through the season. Kevin Lacroix, Alex Labbe, and Andrew Ranger rounded out the top five, while title contender DJ Kennington positioned himself sixth.
When qualifying rolled around, Alex Labbe stepped up to claim his 10th NASCAR Canada Series pole position with a blistering lap of 17.436 seconds at 77.426 mph. Camirand qualified second, keeping himself in prime position to control his championship destiny from the green flag.
The XPN 250: A Championship Masterclass
The green flag flew at 1:00 p.m. ET with REV TV Canada broadcasting the championship showdown live. Alex Labbe used his pole position to perfection, clearing Camirand to lead the opening lap while thousands of fans held their breath.
Donald Theetge, starting third and hungry for a third consecutive victory, wasted no time moving forward. He quickly dispatched Camirand for second place, then set his sights on race leader Labbe. The Quebec driver’s aggressive early move paid dividends as he captured the race lead by lap six.
Camirand Shows Championship Composure
While Theetge battled for the race win, Camirand demonstrated the patience and racecraft that define champions. He methodically worked his way back through the field, never panicking despite falling to third early in the race. Meanwhile, his title rivals, Ranger and Kennington, found themselves buried deeper in the running order – Ranger in seventh and Kennington in 11th.
The championship leader’s patience paid off when tire falloff began affecting the early leaders. Camirand moved past Labbe for second place, then started closing the gap on race leader Theetge. Will Larue also capitalized on the changing track conditions, moving into the top five and applying pressure on the leaders.
With 49 laps complete, Camirand made his move for the lead. The timing was perfect – his car came alive as others struggled with tire wear, and he smoothly took command of the race. At that moment, championship number three was within reach.
The Halfway Break and Championship Math
The mandatory five-minute halfway break at lap 125 provided a crucial moment for teams to reassess their strategies. Camirand held the race lead over Larue, Theetge, Labbe, and Lacroix. More importantly for championship calculations, his title rivals Ranger and Kennington sat sixth and seventh respectively.
The numbers were crystal clear – Camirand was in complete control of his championship destiny. Even if mechanical gremlins struck or racing luck turned sour, he had built enough cushion to withstand most scenarios.
Late-Race Drama Tests Championship Nerves
The second half brought new challenges as Donald Theetge showed why he had won the previous two races. After the restart, Theetge charged back to the front, passing Larue for second before hunting down Camirand for the race lead. By lap 136, Theetge had reclaimed the top spot.
For a brief moment, championship anxiety might have crept into the Camirand camp. But championship-caliber drivers respond to adversity, and Camirand did exactly that. His long-run speed advantage became apparent as he steadily closed the gap on Theetge, eventually retaking the lead with 92 laps remaining.
Theetge’s strong run faded as tire wear took its toll, dropping him from second to seventh as fresher rubber became paramount. Meanwhile, Camirand’s championship rivals Ranger and Kennington had worked their way up to third and fourth respectively, but time was running short for any dramatic championship swings.
The Final Sprint to Glory
Late cautions bunched the field for a thrilling finish, but Camirand had ice water in his veins when it mattered most. The first yellow flew for Martin Goulet Jr.’s spin with 12 laps remaining, setting up a restart that would test every driver’s nerves.
A second caution with under 10 laps to go provided one final opportunity for drama. When the green flag waved with seven laps remaining, the championship leader found himself with a clear track ahead and championship glory within reach.
Camirand Delivers Championship Performance
Marc-Antoine Camirand crossed the finish line as both race winner and 2025 NASCAR Canada Series champion. The emotional celebration that followed reflected not just this victory but the culmination of a season-long effort that showcased consistency, speed, and championship-level racecraft.
Will Larue earned a career-best second-place finish in just his fifth NASCAR Canada Series start, followed by Alex Labbe, Donald Theetge, and DJ Kennington. Championship contender Andrew Ranger finished sixth, while the remainder of the top ten included Mathieu Kingsbury, Alex Guenette, Kevin Lacroix, and Dave Coursol.
A Championship Built on Consistency
Camirand’s title run exemplified what championship seasons look like at the highest level. Five victories and 11 top-ten finishes tell the story of a driver who showed up prepared every single weekend. Remarkably, he finished outside the top ten only once all season, due to an accident at Chaudière that he quickly put behind him.
This consistency separated Camirand from his competition throughout the year. While other drivers had flashy wins or breakthrough performances, the champion delivered week after week with the professionalism that defines elite competitors.
Rookie Honors Add to Weekend Celebration
Domenic Scrivo capped off his impressive debut season by claiming the 2025 NASCAR Canada Series Rookie of the Year title. His 19th-place finish Sunday concluded a learning campaign that included eight series starts and laid the foundation for a planned full-season assault in 2026.
Scrivo’s rookie campaign represents the future of NASCAR Canada Series racing. Young talent like his ensures the series will continue attracting skilled competitors ready to battle for wins and championships in the years ahead.
The 2025 NASCAR Canada Series season concluded with Marc-Antoine Camirand cementing his legacy as one of the series’ elite champions. His back-to-back titles demonstrate sustained excellence that few drivers achieve at any level of motorsports. As teams begin preparing for 2026, they’ll be chasing a champion who has shown no signs of slowing down.
