Photo credit: Don SimpsonA well-deserved championship for Justin Lalancette
Time to celebrate for Justin Lalancette
The version française ici The consistency of Justin Lalancette leads him to victory, he who was crowned Sportsman champion at Cornwall Motor Speedway in 2017 during the banquet of champions held recently. Obtaining this honor is not easy in most cases and, for Justin, it was necessary to make it to the last race of the season, when this 23 year old with his 98H car was harvested the victory in the final. The road to the championship began in 2000 when Justin started racing karting at the age of six. Being exposed to the world of racing by his father, Luc Lalancette, who runs Total Race Supply, a successful racing parts company, made Justin want to get in the driver's seat at such a young age. For the next nine seasons, this fiery young racer would compete in the various go-kart classes at Can-Am Speedway as well as the Route 58 Speedway near Governor, NY. Later, Justin started racing at Cornwall Speedway and Brockville Speedway Kart tracks once the kart programs were in place. From time to time, the family went to Paradise Speedway, near Rochester, in the state of New York, to take part in competitions.
During these years, Justin has accumulated 151 victories and he has also finished 95 times in second place and 38 times in third place. This experience gave the young driver from St-Andrews, Ontario the knowledge and skills needed to transition from karting to dirt racing. In the early days of the 2009 season, when Justin was still in karting, Eric Gauvreau asked him to try out his Mod Lite car at Edelweiss Speedway. That night, Justin started last and he raced through the field to collect his first victory outside of karting. Later that year, he would have a second opportunity to race a race car at a Sportsman event held at Drummondville Speedway over Labor Day weekend. This time, Justin was driving Alex Boisvert's #95 spare car in the 100-lap Sportsman main event. Once again, Justin's talent for driving a race car shone through. While starting last in the final, Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Sportsman main event of 100 laps. Once again, Justin's talent for driving a race car shone through. While starting last in the final, Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Sportsman main event of 100 laps. Once again, Justin's talent for driving a race car shone through. While starting last in the final, Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews.
Photo credit: Don SimpsonIn 2012 the plan was similar to that of 2011 – gathering more and more experience behind the wheel as well as with the settings of the car. However, the engine gave up the ghost very early, which shortened its season. The team then decided to purchase the damaged 358 engine and have it rebuilt over the winter. For the 2013 season the team again received help from Troyer and HBR with an all new chassis. Once again it was a frustrating year for the young rider as the engine was simply not up to the mark and would give up the ghost yet again at the start of the year. "You can't do that much with an engine that's been damaged," explained Luc.
Photo credit: Don SimpsonThe following season, Justin was back at Cornwall Motor Speedway. The car was performing well and midway through the season the 98H team found itself in second place in the championship. Justin also got his first win at Cornwall Speedway on July 26th. Unfortunately, once again in August, bad luck put Justin's season in jeopardy when he was involved in a freak accident and broke his collarbone. The year definitely seemed to be over, but Justin had another plan. He convinced his father that he could take part in a final and complete a lap under DIRTcar regulations in order to stay in the championship race. They asked the race officials on the track and he was cleared to take the green, with the required turn. Unfortunately, Justin had to undergo surgery, preventing him from participating in the last two races. The team would finish sixth in the standings that year. In the first final of 2016, a serious crash requiring the tow truck ended his run, setting the stage for the rest of the season. It was a year of ups and downs for the 98H team, as things didn't go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. team would finish sixth in the standings that year. In the first final of 2016, a serious crash requiring the tow truck ended his run, setting the stage for the rest of the season. It was a year of ups and downs for the 98H team, as things didn't go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. team would finish sixth in the standings that year. In the first final of 2016, a serious crash requiring the tow truck ended his run, setting the stage for the rest of the season. It was a year of ups and downs for the 98H team, as things didn't go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. when things did not go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. when things did not go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. 
Photo credit: Don SimpsonWith consistent results late into 2016, Justin continued his momentum and was the most consistent driver throughout 2017 in the Sportsman class at Cornwall Motor Speedway. Over the course of the season, he had eight top-10 finishes, including a first-place finish in the final race of the year, which secured him the track championship. Justin ran the season with positive thinking and strong in his skill, choosing his moments to pass, and staying out of trouble on the track. These skills guided Justin to a well-deserved championship, backed by fellow racers and fans – a truly pivotal year for this young driver. For 2018, Justin and his "Mom and Dad" team will be back at Cornwall Motor Speedway to defend his title, with the same plan as the 
Photo credit: Rick Young
During these years, Justin has accumulated 151 victories and he has also finished 95 times in second place and 38 times in third place. This experience gave the young driver from St-Andrews, Ontario the knowledge and skills needed to transition from karting to dirt racing. In the early days of the 2009 season, when Justin was still in karting, Eric Gauvreau asked him to try out his Mod Lite car at Edelweiss Speedway. That night, Justin started last and he raced through the field to collect his first victory outside of karting. Later that year, he would have a second opportunity to race a race car at a Sportsman event held at Drummondville Speedway over Labor Day weekend. This time, Justin was driving Alex Boisvert's #95 spare car in the 100-lap Sportsman main event. Once again, Justin's talent for driving a race car shone through. While starting last in the final, Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Sportsman main event of 100 laps. Once again, Justin's talent for driving a race car shone through. While starting last in the final, Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Sportsman main event of 100 laps. Once again, Justin's talent for driving a race car shone through. While starting last in the final, Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews. Justin made it to third place on lap 80. However, Team #95 had not registered Justin as their driver; therefore, race officials stopped the race on lap 81. We presented the black flag to Justin and took him out of the race. It certainly wasn't how the young driver wanted to end the year, but the car owner witnessed Justin's driving skills to recognize the talents of this rookie driver from St-Andrews.
A jump in Modified
In 2010, Justin received a race car from Troyer and HBR Racing to try out a few Modified 358 races throughout the summer. That same year, he also had a deal where he would drive a Sportsman car for the 2010 season at Cornwall Speedway. This agreement in Sportsman unfortunately failed. He only raced a few races at the start of the year in the Modified 358 class, deciding to end the season in motocross racing. In the middle of the "dirt bike" season, Justin had a serious accident during a race, badly fracturing his forearm. The young driver was sidelined from racing for a few months. In October, he attempted to qualify at the Brockville Falls Nationals in the 358 class; clearly a good way to get back to racing after his serious accident. 2011 was Justin's first full season in the 358 class with the help of Alex Boisvert. Alex would provide the 358 engine and a team that would service the car weekly at his race shop in Quebec. The team then decided to race at Autodrome Granby, RPM Speedway and Autodrome Drummond throughout the season. It was a busy year for the rookie in 358, he finished the year with a better knowledge of what it takes to be competitive in this high performing class. There have been some good accomplishments this year: a sixth-place finish in his first race in the Canadian Nationals 100-lap final at Cornwall Motor Speedway and a second-place finish (July 16) in a 40-lap final at RPM Speedway. Alex would provide the 358 engine and a team that would service the car weekly at his race shop in Quebec. The team then decided to race at Autodrome Granby, RPM Speedway and Autodrome Drummond throughout the season. It was a busy year for the rookie in 358, he finished the year with a better knowledge of what it takes to be competitive in this high performing class. There have been some good accomplishments this year: a sixth-place finish in his first race in the Canadian Nationals 100-lap final at Cornwall Motor Speedway and a second-place finish (July 16) in a 40-lap final at RPM Speedway. Alex would provide the 358 engine and a team that would service the car weekly at his race shop in Quebec. The team then decided to race at Autodrome Granby, RPM Speedway and Autodrome Drummond throughout the season. It was a busy year for the rookie in 358, he finished the year with a better knowledge of what it takes to be competitive in this high performing class. There have been some good accomplishments this year: a sixth-place finish in his first race in the Canadian Nationals 100-lap final at Cornwall Motor Speedway and a second-place finish (July 16) in a 40-lap final at RPM Speedway. Autodrome Drummond throughout the season. It was a busy year for the rookie in 358, he finished the year with a better knowledge of what it takes to be competitive in this high performing class. There have been some good accomplishments this year: a sixth-place finish in his first race in the Canadian Nationals 100-lap final at Cornwall Motor Speedway and a second-place finish (July 16) in a 40-lap final at RPM Speedway. Autodrome Drummond throughout the season. It was a busy year for the rookie in 358, he finished the year with a better knowledge of what it takes to be competitive in this high performing class. There have been some good accomplishments this year: a sixth-place finish in his first race in the Canadian Nationals 100-lap final at Cornwall Motor Speedway and a second-place finish (July 16) in a 40-lap final at RPM Speedway.Photo credit: Don SimpsonIn 2012 the plan was similar to that of 2011 – gathering more and more experience behind the wheel as well as with the settings of the car. However, the engine gave up the ghost very early, which shortened its season. The team then decided to purchase the damaged 358 engine and have it rebuilt over the winter. For the 2013 season the team again received help from Troyer and HBR with an all new chassis. Once again it was a frustrating year for the young rider as the engine was simply not up to the mark and would give up the ghost yet again at the start of the year. "You can't do that much with an engine that's been damaged," explained Luc.Back to basics
But by 2014, plans had improved. Luc and Justin decided to buy a new Sportsman "crate" engine. They decided over the winter to race in the Sportsman class with all new equipment and this change was the only way the team could move forward on a limited budget. They also decided to race only at their local Cornwall Motor Speedway track. This return to Sportsman proved to be the right move, finishing sixth in the Cornwall Speedway standings. He also raced at an event in St-Guillaume, Que., where he emerged victorious by winning both 40-lap events that night.Photo credit: Don SimpsonThe following season, Justin was back at Cornwall Motor Speedway. The car was performing well and midway through the season the 98H team found itself in second place in the championship. Justin also got his first win at Cornwall Speedway on July 26th. Unfortunately, once again in August, bad luck put Justin's season in jeopardy when he was involved in a freak accident and broke his collarbone. The year definitely seemed to be over, but Justin had another plan. He convinced his father that he could take part in a final and complete a lap under DIRTcar regulations in order to stay in the championship race. They asked the race officials on the track and he was cleared to take the green, with the required turn. Unfortunately, Justin had to undergo surgery, preventing him from participating in the last two races. The team would finish sixth in the standings that year. In the first final of 2016, a serious crash requiring the tow truck ended his run, setting the stage for the rest of the season. It was a year of ups and downs for the 98H team, as things didn't go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. team would finish sixth in the standings that year. In the first final of 2016, a serious crash requiring the tow truck ended his run, setting the stage for the rest of the season. It was a year of ups and downs for the 98H team, as things didn't go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. team would finish sixth in the standings that year. In the first final of 2016, a serious crash requiring the tow truck ended his run, setting the stage for the rest of the season. It was a year of ups and downs for the 98H team, as things didn't go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. when things did not go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. when things did not go as planned. Towards the end of the summer, it got better. Justin was starting to be more consistent and won a number of top-10 finishes, finishing the year ranked sixth in the standings. This paved the way for 2017. Photo credit: Don SimpsonWith consistent results late into 2016, Justin continued his momentum and was the most consistent driver throughout 2017 in the Sportsman class at Cornwall Motor Speedway. Over the course of the season, he had eight top-10 finishes, including a first-place finish in the final race of the year, which secured him the track championship. Justin ran the season with positive thinking and strong in his skill, choosing his moments to pass, and staying out of trouble on the track. These skills guided Justin to a well-deserved championship, backed by fellow racers and fans – a truly pivotal year for this young driver. For 2018, Justin and his "Mom and Dad" team will be back at Cornwall Motor Speedway to defend his title, with the same plan as the Photo credit: Rick Young
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