Quebec, Canada, August 24, 2021 —NASCAR Late Model driver Jean-Philippe “Bergy” Bergeron will be quite busy in the coming months. After taking top honors last Saturday at Autodrome Montmagny (Quebec, Canada) and standing on the top step of the podium, he will be driving a stock car in the Avion Motorsports RS1 Cup Series in British Columbia and in the ARCA Menards Series in the United States this fall.
In the Avion Motorsports RS1 Cup Series
The owner of the #19 Aero Skills Tournament car, Jay Logie, has requested the services of Jean-Philippe Bergeron to drive in the RS1 Cup Series on September 18 at the final race of the Avion Motorsports season at AREA 27 in Oliver, British Columbia. “The association was a natural fit. I met with Mr. Logie a few times since the beginning of the summer in British Columbia and had the opportunity to tell him about our Festidrag Development program. He was delighted with the concept and wanted to get involved,” says Martin D’Anjou, CEO of Festidrag Development. “Our company, ATG, is based on the development of the next generation of aerospace skilled people. As a stock car racing enthusiast myself, I was immediately drawn to the idea. Stock car racing represents a great platform of visibility for a company like ATG that wishes to generate interest and create excitement in the Aero Trades letting people know that there are great careers in aviation. JP Bergeron is a serious driver with great ambitions and I will gladly put him behind the wheel of my #19 car in the Avion Motorsports RS1 Cup Series for the last race of the season,” added Jay Logie, owner of the #19 Aero Skills Tournament car. The main interested person did not have to think long before accepting the invitation. "I'm looking forward to driving in the RS1 and to discovering the famous AREA27 track, which was designed by Jacques Villeneuve and is known for being extremely technical. It's an extraordinary opportunity that will allow me to strengthen my skills on the road circuit," said Jean-Philippe Bergeron.
The Avion RS1 Series now has 22 identical cars that race on both ovals and road courses. “We’re happy to welcome Jean-Philippe Bergeron to the series, we’re sure he will enjoy the experience and are also pleased to see the interest of so many drivers. This includes three-time NASCAR Pinty’s Champion Andrew Ranger who is competing for the 2021 championship and has already collected one race victory. This has contributed to the interest in Eastern Canada. Our plans are to grow and expand the series to include more tracks in the years ahead” adds Avion Motorsport’s General Manager, Al Lebert.
ARCA Menards Series in the United States with David Gilliland Racing
Talks have been ongoing since Jean-Philippe Bergeron’s participation in the World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna in February. This experience behind the wheel of a Pro Late Model was meant to be a springboard to a higher level and it paid off! Accompanied by his father Marc Bergeron and Martin D’Anjou of Festidrag Development, Jean-Philippe met David Gilliland (David Gilliland Racing). “We had the chance to see Jean-Philippe Bergeron perform on the oval track in New Smyrna and we are very happy to have him with us to finish the 2021 season,” said David Gilliland.
Thanks to the involvement of Robert Desrosiers (who was the agent for drivers Patrick Carpentier and Raphaël Lessard), the parties came to an agreement that will allow Jean-Philippe to compete in 3 races at the end of this season. Robert Desrosiers has been working in the racing industry for the past twenty years. He has been working with Festidrag Development for 3 years as a consultant.
Bergeron will take the wheel of a Ford Fusion for the first time in the ARCA Menards series on October 2nd at Salem, Indiana. He will then travel to Kansas Speedway on October 23 and finish in Phoenix on November 6. "It is an honor to be able to drive with one of the most prestigious developmental stock car teams in the United States. You only get one chance to make a good first impression and I intend to give it my all to impress those who have encouraged and supported me over the past few years. I know that I am in good hands with DGR and this experience will certainly have a determining impact on my career as a professional driver" adds Jean-Philippe Bergeron.
About Aviation NETWorx and the Aero Skills Tournament
Founded by Jay Logie and ATG, Aviation NETWorX, is a continuously improving pipeline of skilled people, connects technicians and employers in the aircraft manufacturing and maintenance industry. Using a proactive approach to better identify proven technicians and teams, Aviation NETWorX is committed to the success of its partner, aviation employers and NETWorX technicians. The Aero Skills Tournament, established in 2016, showcases the expertise of aviation workers across North America, while planting the Aero Trade Seed. These trades person competition events, are open to the public, help attract potential technicians, young and old, to the aviation careers, in an effort to address the shortage of skilled people. https://AviationNETWorX.com
About David Gilliland Racing
David Gilliland Racing (DGR) is a race team based in Mooresville, North Carolina. In 2017, DGR was founded by former Cup Series driver David Gilliland. Initially based on a facility on Gilliland’s personal property, the organization has grown rapidly and now occupies a 60,000-square-foot space in the stock car mecca. The team races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series and CARS Tour.
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.