NEW SMYRNA, FL — A big challenge is awaiting French Canadian driver JP ‘Bergy’ Bergeron at New Smyrna Speedway. Starting tomorrow (February 5) and running through February 13, the driver who finished fifth at the Red Eye 50/50 on January 2 – on the same circuit – will be back behind the wheel of the Pro Late Model #51 car.
The vehicle, owned by Race Car Solutions, is taking part in the 55th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at the legendary Florida high-banked half-mile. The annual event brings together the best American stock car drivers in the Tour Modified and Late Models categories.
Each year, a few Canadian drivers used to take part in the event, which is part of the famous Speedweeks calendar preceding the beginning of the NASCAR season at Daytona International Speedway.
Those who were fleeing the Quebec winter for a few days of racing are facing this year the restrictive measures surrounding Covid-19 that limits the passage of racing equipment at the Canada-U.S. border.
Thus, Bergeron is the only driver from Quebec to participate in the World Series of Asphalt this year. Ontario veteran Jerry Artuso is also among the drivers competing in the Pro Late Models category.
“I intend to give it my all for this intensive week. I had the chance to practice in a Super Late Model two weeks ago with Mario Gosselin from DGM Racing. I became familiar with an even faster car and it gave me confidence,” said Bergeron, who managed to set pole times of 17:71 seconds/lap.
Mario Gosselin noticed the seriousness and the potential of the young driver. “JP didn’t take long to climb the stock car ladder. His transition from the Late Model to the Pro Late Model to the Super Late Model puts him in a position of constant learning, but he’s progressing quickly,” said Gosselin, owner of DGM Racing (where Quebec driver Alex Labbé is racing in NASCAR Xfinity Series).
The #51 Pro Late Model car that Bergeron will drive in the coming days is being prepared by Race Car Solutions, a well-known team in the United States.
Last year, it is none other than its owner, Jamie Skinner, who was crowned champion in the same category at the World Series.
“It bodes well! I had the chance to race the Red Eye 50/50 with them earlier this year. It gave me a chance to get to know the team and the car, and to learn how to work with my scout Michael Lira,” added Bergeron.
On February 13, Gosselin will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at the World Center of Racing, Daytona International Speedway. After a four-year hiatus from behind the wheel, Gosselin will pilot DGM Racing’s No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro bearing the colors of AP Sports Regimen, Rousseau Métal and Sleep Well.
Bergeron is preparing for Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway from February 4 to 13. The Canadian driver will be at the wheel of the RCS team’s No. 51 Pro Late Model car, undertaking eight races in only 10 days. “It’s the first time I’m going to do so many races in such a short period of time. It’s a great experience for me and I’m looking forward to a podium finish,” concluded Bergeron.
ABOUT JEAN-PHILIPPE ‘BERGY’ BERGERON: Jean-Philippe Bergeron made his first laps in a kart at the age of 13. In 2015, he participated for the first time in the Cup Lites series on the ICar road circuit where he was crowned Rookie of the Year. Thus began a promising career for the Quebec native. In 2017, he experienced an LMS car in the ACT series with the support of Mr. Claude Leclerc. That’s all it took to convince Bergeron to purchase his own LMS car to race in the CSCC series, one year later. Once again, Bergeron finished with the title of Rookie of the Year. In 2019, Marc Bergeron (Jean-Philippe’s father) and Martin Perreault founded the Prolon Racing Team. Surrounded by enthusiasts such as Denis Valiquette, Alain Fortier, Michel Patry, and team leader Richard Forget, Jean-Philippe started the 2020 season with an all-new car entirely rebuilt with a chassis updated by renowned manufacturer Dale Shaw. Despite the shortened season due to COVID-19, Bergeron still accumulated three podium finishes, including one victory, to end the season on a high note at Autodrome Montmagny.
Fans can follow Jean-Philippe Bergeron throughout the 2021 season on Festidrag.TV at www.facebook.com/festidrag on YouTube www.youtube.com/c/FestidragTV and on TéléMag. You can also follow the activities of Jean-Philippe and the Prolon Racing team on Facebook www.facebook.com/JPBRacing18, on Instagram @jpbergeron18 as well as on the website www.prolonracing.com.
ABOUT RACE CAR SOLUTIONS: Race Car Solutions is a reputable racing team with state-of-the-art cars that specializes in driver development, track and shop services, manufacturing and car rentals. The owner, Jamie Skinner, himself a professional race driver, competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the age of 19, and then went on to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity series. He is the son of NASCAR champion Mike Skinner. The RCS team is well-known for winning numerous podium finishes each year at the World Series of Asphalt in New Smyrna, Florida.
ABOUT FESTIDRAG DEVELOPMENT: Festidrag Development offers emerging drivers the support to help them progress positively in their discipline according to their level and their need, through a customized program. The objective is to offer them the best tools, not only at the competition level, but also in terms of media communication, branding, self-promotion, sponsorship research and partner relations. FOR INFO: Contact Martin D’Anjou, Festidrag Development: 418-732-4263 | mdanjou@festidrag.com
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