2026 FRAC championship leader Evagoras Papasavvas hopes to carry the momentum from his New Jersey Motorsports Park victory into his first appearance at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) this weekend.
The Crosslink Motorsports driver heads to Bowmanville, Ontario, for Rounds 15, 16 and 17 after recovering from a difficult start to the previous event. Papasavvas left NJMP with his championship lead intact after following a 14th-place finish in Race 1 with a podium in Race 2 and victory in the finale.
CTMP presents another new circuit for Papasavvas, but the championship leader believes similarities with his home track, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, could help him adapt quickly to the high-speed Canadian venue.
Papasavvas recovers from difficult NJMP opener
Papasavvas entered NJMP as the championship leader and immediately demonstrated his pace by securing pole position for Race 1.
However, contact and other on-track issues derailed his opening contest. Despite also setting the fastest lap, the Crosslink driver could only finish classified 14th, costing him valuable ground in the title battle.
Papasavvas responded strongly across the remaining races. He returned to the podium with second place in Race 2 before winning Race 3, ensuring a potentially damaging weekend instead ended on a high.
“Race 1 was difficult to swallow, especially entering the weekend as the championship point leader,” Papasavvas said following NJMP. “We never gave up and bounced back to stand on the podium in Race 2 and claim some much-needed championship points. With the win, momentum is on my side as we head to the next event, and I intend to use that to my full advantage.”
The recovery left Papasavvas with an 8.5-point advantage over closest rival Brady Golan heading into Canada.
Narrow FRAC lead raises stakes at CTMP
Papasavvas remains in control of the championship, but the small margin means another difficult race could quickly change the order.
Three races at CTMP provide several opportunities for both Papasavvas and Golan to gain ground, while Cooper Shipman remains within reach in third. With the season entering its final three event weekends, consistency now carries increasing importance alongside outright victories.
NJMP demonstrated how quickly the picture can shift. Papasavvas lost substantial ground through his Race 1 problems before recovering across the following contests, while Golan remained close enough to reduce the championship deficit.
The Crosslink driver therefore arrives in Canada aiming to combine the pace he showed at New Jersey with a cleaner overall weekend. Avoiding incidents while continuing to finish ahead of his closest rivals could allow him to rebuild some of the advantage lost during the previous round.
CTMP presents another new challenge
Papasavvas will race at CTMP for the first time, continuing a run of unfamiliar circuits after also making his NJMP debut during the previous round.
The 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit carries a reputation for its fast, flowing layout and significant elevation changes. Originally known as Mosport International Raceway, the venue also hosted the first Canadian Grand Prix to form part of the F1 World Championship in 1967.
Papasavvas nevertheless sees elements of the circuit that remind him of Mid-Ohio, where he already has considerable experience and previous success.
“I am excited to race in Canada,” added Papasavvas. “The CTMP layout reminds me of my home track, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and I hope that I can have similar results to the success that I have had their in the past.”
That familiarity could provide a useful reference as he learns the Canadian circuit during the opening sessions.
Crosslink targets another strong FRAC weekend
Papasavvas will form part of a sizeable Crosslink presence at CTMP as the team continues its challenge across both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships.
Kekai Hauanio, Alex Bobadilla and Aidan Schuh join him in the outright FRAC field, while Kevin Janzen returns in the Masters category. The depth of Crosslink’s line-up gives the team several opportunities to score strongly during the three-race weekend.
For Papasavvas, however, the main objective remains protecting his championship position. His victory at NJMP provided an important response after the frustration of Race 1 and ensured he arrives in Canada with positive momentum despite the reduced points advantage.
With only 8.5 points separating him from Golan, the championship leader has little margin for error. CTMP therefore offers Papasavvas another opportunity to strengthen his position before FRAC moves into the final two event weekends of the 2026 season.
