NASCAR Again In The Plans For Alex Labbe In 2017

Column By: MATTHEW WIERNASZ / RPW – ST-ALBERT, QUE – Alex Labbe will return to compete full time in the NASCAR Pinty Series this season and run a limited Late Model in ACT and Serie ACT in Quebec. Labbe does plan on being at the ACT Tour opener at Lee USA Speedway on April 9th.

Labbe did make his debut last season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Phoenix International Raceway. He does plan on racing in three NASCAR Xfinity Series races along with a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event with sponsorship from Can-Am.

” It was a lot of fun in Phoenix for sure I really enjoyed my experience and I was fortunate enough to have a really dedicated small team who did everything with the resources we had to put me up to speed as fast as possible.” Labbe Said

Daniel Suarez became the first International driver to win a championship in one of the three NASCAR National Series in 2016. With Suarez winning the championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series it does give Labbe to perform well and hopefully get a win and a championship one day in NASCAR but he knows he will have to have the appropriate resources. He is hoping for a strong year in 2017 and hopefully can be competitive in the future in one of those series.

Labbe had a strong start to the NASCAR Pinty Series last season with three poles, three top 5’s and got his first win at Autodrome Chaudiere back in June. The luck would turn badly for Labbe with just being at the wrong place at the wrong time with being involved in two accidents and having two mechanical issues in the last four races. Labbe felt he had the speed but just the worst luck he has ever had in racing.

On the ACT Tour, Labbe kicked off with a 4th place finish at Lee USA Speedway. He had won up in Montmagny and finished third last year in the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. That third place finish felt like a win for Labbe after struggling from starting in 30th place. He would make it up to 16th position with 15 laps to go but with the suspension problem and his driving style he got up to third place.

ACT Tour President Tom Curley has been in the sport for 40 years. This season will be Curley’s last full time season. Over the years, Labbe has learned a lot from Tom Curley even though the two of had a couple arguments. Labbe believes he has become a better driver because of Tom Curley

“He’s the best guy I know to run a bunch of race car drivers like us, when he speaks everybody respects him and when he’s gotta a make a call he makes it. Nobody will make him change his mind, when he makes a call it is final and he will live with it whatever the call is. I have a lot of respect for what Tom as accomplished” Labbe Said

Labbe’s goals for the 2017 season are to contend for a championship in the NASCAR Pinty Series and contend for wins in ACT.