Raphaël Lessard to race Super Late Models for Kyle Busch Motorsports

The team, led by 2015 NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Busch has confirmed that Lessard - a driver supported by Toyota Racing Development for the past few years - will drive the No. 51 Super Late Model in 18 events this season. The teenager will make his KBM debut Sunday, January 28 in the ARCA/CRA Super Series SpeedFest at Crisp Motorsports Park in Cordele, Ga.

Lessard, who captured the 2016 CARS Super Late Model Tour championship, is scheduled to compete for the CARS Super Late Model Tour championship and will also compete in several major Super Late Model events this year.

The Québec native is scheduled to contest events such as The Rattler at South Alabama Speedway in Kinston, Ala., the North-South Super Late Model Challenge and the All American 400 at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tenn., the U.S. Short Track Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, the Winchester 400 at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla.

About Lessard, Kyle Busch said: “Raphael has put himself on the map in the Super Late Model world the last few years and we’re excited to see what he can do behind the wheel of our No. 51 Toyota in 2018. To be able to win races at such a young age while also learning a new language and how to communicate with his team is pretty remarkable, so we’re confident that he’s only going to get better as he continues to mature both on and off the track.”

“I’m really excited to join Kyle Busch Motorsports for the next step in the development of my career and looking forward to the opportunity to learn from Kyle and everyone involved in the Super Late Model program,” Lessard declared.