Andrew Ranger Loses His Seat As Paillé Course Cuts To One Car
Andrew Ranger has been informed that his contract with Paillé Course will not be renewed for the upcoming NASCAR Canada season, leaving the three-time series champion without a ride as the team narrows its operation to a single driver.
Andrew Ranger Out Of Paillé Course Lineup
Paillé Course has decided to concentrate its investment and resources on Marc-Antoine Camirand, the reigning series champion, and will field only one car next season. The association between Ranger and Paillé began in 2022 and lasted four years. Ranger, 39, leaves the program with five victories in the Paillé colours and a record of 39 career wins, the most in series history. He finished third in the championship in both 2024 and 2025.
Why Paillé Course Is Concentrating On One Driver
Jean-Claude Paillé, president of GM Paillé, said the team will focus on a single entry because of the current economic context. The decision was framed around uncertainty tied to tariff barriers with the United States and the conflict in the Middle East, which Paillé said increased financial risk and forced a reassessment of sponsorship commitments. The team intends to continue in the series but will do so with Marc-Antoine Camirand behind the wheel of the No. 96 Camaro GM Paillé/Chevrolet Canada.
Immediate Impact For Ranger And The Season Ahead
Ranger said he learned the day before that his contract would not be renewed. He expressed gratitude for four years of support from Jean-Claude Paillé and said he understands the economic rationale, but that the timing is painful: the first race is two months away, his car has been prepared for the season, and he now lacks the funding to run it. He warned that without sponsorship money a car cannot be put on track, noting that the contribution from GM Paillé represents a significant shortfall.
The car prepared for Ranger has been built by Innovation Autosport, an operation led by Sylvain Lacroix and Mathieu Kingsbury since 2025. Team members worked through the winter to deliver a competitive entry that now cannot be taken out of the garage due to the sudden funding gap. For a top-level NASCAR Canada entry, costs to run a single car are roughly $650, 000, a figure Ranger cited as evidence of how sponsorship decisions determine who gets a seat.
Ranger said that while Jean-Claude Paillé had shouldered most of the program’s support, sponsorship need not come from a single backer and could be spread across multiple companies. He also expressed confidence in his ability to rebound, calling himself motivated to continue competing at the highest level, even as the end of winter has become more stressful than expected.
The NASCAR Canada schedule will open on May 17 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and will include 14 races across 11 weekends. With Paillé Course keeping Camirand as its sole driver, the team is aiming for stability and to remain a championship contender, while Ranger evaluates his options in the weeks ahead.
