DGR Signs Lessard for Two Truck Series Races

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Correspondent

David Gilliland Racing – Crosley Group welcomes Raphaël Lessard back to the team for two NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series races.

Réseau Dynamique will sponsor Lessard’s Toyota Tundras in the M&M’s 200 presented by Casey’s General Store at Iowa Speedway and the Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Motorsports Park.

TheSt.-Joseph de Beauce, Quebec native made his Truck Series debut with Kyle Busch Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway earlier this season. In two truck starts so far this season, Lessard’s best finish is 11^th at Dover International Speedway. He has completed every lap in the two races he competed in.

“I’m super excited to work with Raphaël again,” Gilliland explained. “He’s a great kid. He won a CARS Tour Championship with us back in 2016, and it’s been really fun to watch his progression the past few years.

“He’s done a great job in his first two truck races with KBM. He’s put together solid races, ran all the laps and that’s what it takes to learn and get better at this level. We are looking forward to getting him over here in one of our Tundra’s and continuing to help him learn and grow.”

The 17-year-old won the CARS Super Late Model Tour Championship  with DGR – Crosley in 2016. Lessard last competed for organization in 2017. In 15 CARS Tour starts, Lessard earned five victories, 11 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.

Since then, DGR – Crosley expanded into the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, ARCA Menards Series, and Truck Series. The team won the 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship with Tyler Ankrum.

“I am really happy to participate in these two additional truck races,” Lessard remarked. The DGR-Crosley team has changed several personnel since I last raced with them two years ago. Things do look great, as Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion has an excellent reputation at all levels in NASCAR.

“In addition, I participated in a test session in Iowa and covered 100 laps, which will allow me to drive hard right from the start of the first practice session. I would also like to thank my partners, especially Réseau dynamique and the people who allow me to have great experiences like these two races.”

The Toyota Racing Development driver is also competing in K&N Pro and ARCA competition this season. Lessard finished ninth in his only K&N Pro Series East start and in the top-10 in both of his ARCA starts. He earned his first top-five finish in ARCA at Pocono Raceway last weekend.