[VilleneuveTracy]

This is his first pole since Jerez 97'...

Former Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve thrilled fans in his native Canada Friday afternoon, as he captured the pole for Saturday’s NAPA Auto Parts 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course in Montreal. The circuit is named for Jacques’ late father.

Villeneuve posted a lap of 95.835 miles per hour in the No. 22 Dodge Challenger normally driven by Brad Keselowski. That speed was tops among the 46 drivers setting times and gave the popular Canadian his first NNS pole in seven career starts.

Starting on the outside of Row 1 will be Montreal native Alex Tagliani, who drove the No. 12 Penske Dodge to a speed of 95.708 mph.

Jason Leffler, who in 16 prior NNS road races had never qualified in the top five, was third with a lap of 95.493 mph in his No. 38 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet. He’ll be flanked by another ex-Formula 1 racer, Scott Speed, who qualified his No. 33 KHI Chevrolet at 95.381 mph.

http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/nn...ircuit-gilles/