As the NASCAR Canada Series heads to Autodrome Chaudière, Connor Bell prepares to make his first-ever oval start, while William Larue returns to familiar short-track territory after tackling a road course circuit for the first time at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP). For both drivers, the early stages of the season continue to offer new opportunities to learn and adapt.
Connor Bell Set for First Oval Experience
At 20-years-old, Bell has quickly established himself as one of the newcomers to watch in the NASCAR Canada Series. The Ottawa driver built his racing foundation through a combination of some karting and mostly sim racing. After his first track day at age 15, Bell gained experience in Spec Miata competition, the Super Production Challenge, and Radical racing before making the jump to NASCAR Canada.
His first appearances in the series produced immediate results. Bell earned a victory in his NASCAR Canada debut at Calabogie Motorsports Park in 2025 before following it with a second-place finish at CTMP later that season.
Next weekend at Autodrome Chaudière, Bell will add another first to his résumé as he prepares to race on an oval for the first time. While the challenge will require a steep learning curve, Bell believes the precision he developed on road courses could prove valuable on the Québec short track.
“I’m really looking forward to racing the double-header at Autodrome Chaudière next weekend,” said Bell. “It will be my first time ever running on any kind of oval, so I’ll have a lot of learning to do in a short period of time, a challenge I’m ready for.”
The event will also mark Bell’s first NASCAR Canada appearance in Québec, an opportunity he is eager to embrace.
“I hope to be able to bring my road course experience over to a short track like Chaudière, where precision seems to be a top priority,” he explained. “It will also be my first time running a NASCAR Canada race in Québec, so I can’t wait to meet the fans and show them what we can do as a team.”
Bell arrives at Chaudière leading the rookie standings, with 36 points, following the season opener at CTMP, where he also earned JOSTENS Rookie of the Race honours. Looking beyond this weekend, Bell has his sights set on claiming Rookie of the Year honours while continuing to expand his experience on oval tracks as he works toward a potential championship campaign in the future.
William Larue Returns to a Winning Track
For Larue, the transition into the Autodrome Chaudière weekend comes from the opposite direction. After making his first road course start at CTMP earlier this month, the Québec City driver now returns to a track where he already owns a NASCAR Canada victory, having captured the checkered flag there in 2025.
Larue began his racing career in 2018 after purchasing a Late Model Sportsman car, taking a different path than many drivers his age who advanced through karting. Since then, he has steadily built experience on Québec’s short tracks. In just five NASCAR Canada starts, Larue has already compiled an impressive résumé, highlighted by runner-up finishes at Autodrome Montmagny in 2024, Riverside International Speedway in June 2025, and the 2025 season finale at Montmagny. Between those podium results, he captured his first series victory at Autodrome Chaudière in August 2025.
Earlier this month at CTMP, Larue and his team faced the challenge of adapting to road course competition for the first time. While the learning curve was significant, the experience left a positive impression on the young driver. Larue described CTMP as one of the most challenging tracks he has raced, citing its blind corners, high-speed sections, and abundant grip. Adapting to the road course format required learning new techniques, particularly when it came to shifting and identifying braking points. Although a few mistakes during the race ultimately affected the team’s finishing position, Larue viewed the weekend as a success given the circumstances.
“For a team that had never done a road course before, it was a success,” he explained. “We learned a lot and will definitely come back stronger.”
The event also gave Larue the opportunity to compete in front of one of the largest crowds he has experienced as a driver.
“I also really liked the venue and the number of people attending during the weekend,” he added. “It was the biggest event I’ve taken part in as a driver, and I wasn’t disappointed.”
Next Chapter in the Rookie Battle
With one event completed, the rookie standings remain closely contested heading into Autodrome Chaudière. Bell leads the way with 36 points, following the season opener at CTMP, while Ron Tomlinson and Josh Hurley are tied for second with 30 points each. Larue sits fourth, with 27 points, followed by Jacques Guenette Sr., Sylvain Ouellet, Tyler Gonzalez, Brad Ranson and Keith Bean.
With two races scheduled on June 6 at Autodrome Chaudière, the rookie standings will continue to evolve as drivers compete for valuable points in the Rookie of the Year battle.
Tickets for the event are available now on Autodrome Chaudière’s website.