Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Ahead of his first full-time season in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, rookie driver David Michaud will partner with 11-time Pinty’s Series winner and current OSCAAR Super Late Model Tour driver J.R. Fitzpatrick for guidance and race preparation.
Michaud will drive the No. 40 Mario Michaud Excavation / Alzheimer Society Dodge for Michaud Autosport. Fitzpatrick will bring his expertise and more than 85 starts and 11 race wins to the table and help prepare the car for each race.
“Everyone knows J.R. [Fitzpatrick],” said Michaud. “He has been very successful in NASCAR in Canada and we are very proud to count on his support for the upcoming season.”
Michaud ran one race in the series last year at the Riverside International Speedway in Nova Scotia in place of series regular Alex Tagliani who had NASCAR XFINITY Series duties that weekend with Team Penske. He qualified fifth and ran as high as second before a parts failure relegated him to a 12th-place finish.
“It was a beautiful moment driving the car Alex [Tagliani],” he said. “I enjoyed every moment and I am privileged to be back in NASCAR in Canada. It is an honor for our team. There are a lot of talented drivers and I intend to make my way.”
The first race of the season for the Pinty’s Series will be on the road course at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Michaud has never run on a road course before. Road racing will be a new challenge for the 30-year-old from Quebec as they make up nearly half the schedule, but can lean on the experience of Fitzpatrick, a five-time race winner at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
“2016 for me is a new challenge,” Michaud said at the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Show last month. “The first time for me on a road course. I (will) race all five road course and it’s going to be a good year. I look forward to running with these guys, and hope to get a top-five finish.”
Although he knows the season will be a challenge, Michaud plans on running up front as much as he can.
“I don’t want to be a spectator,” he said. “My goal is to finish in the top-5 as often as possible. We will have a great car and I’m excited by this new challenge.”
