Villeneuve eyes Cup in '08

luke · 24 Aug 2007, 13:10 (Ref:1995828)

Quote:

Jacques Villeneuve looks set to make his NASCAR debut this year in the Craftsman Truck Series and will be testing extensively with Bill Davis Racing to prepare himself for a possible assault in the NASCAR Nextel Cup next year.

Villeneuve announced that he will be testing next Monday at Chicagoland Speedway, at the wheel of a Toyota Tundra truck for BDR, in what is expected to be the first of a series of tests in preparation for a possible race debut at Las Vegas on 22 September.

"We will start with a single test," Villeneuve told Le Journal de Montreal. "It's important that the team see that I can do the job, and on top of all, if I like driving these cars. I'd be surprised if I don't, but I want to see for myself."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61711

Fish_Flake · 24 Aug 2007, 13:44 (Ref:1995849)

He did this last year, and no one was interested. Bill Davis has the #36 ride available if Jacques wants it, but I can't see him settling for rides in anything less than Cup.

muggle not · 24 Aug 2007, 14:19 (Ref:1995856)

Hell, everyone wants to race in Cup, and why not, it is the best racing around.

StuiE · 24 Aug 2007, 15:41 (Ref:1995888)

Interesting, last year it was just talk, looks like there is action this time around...

Has Jaques driven anything this year?

muggle not · 24 Aug 2007, 15:55 (Ref:1995898)

Associated Press

8/24/2007 12:21:38 AM

HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) - Jacques Villeneuve will try to become the latest Formula One driver to move into NASCAR, hoping to parlay a test session into a new career.

Villeneuve, a former F1 world champion from Iberville, Que., will test a truck for Bill Davis Racing on Monday at Chicagoland Speedway, the team said Thursday.

''Bill Davis Racing was aware of my interest in NASCAR and approached my management team with a view to allowing me to test within its truck program,'' Villeneuve said. ''I'm glad we were able to work that out, and having spent the day with the team for my seat fitting, I am really looking forward to working with Bill and his staff.''

Villeneuve has not raced on ovals since 1995, when he won both the Indianapolis 500 and the CART title. He used those accomplishments to land an F1 ride, and became world champion in 1997.

He had a rocky ride after that, though, and lost his seat with BMW-Sauber midway through last season.

Craig Pollock, Villeneuve's longtime manager, said they prefer for the driver to ease into NASCAR through the Truck Series. Last summer, Juan Pablo Montoya jumped from F1 to NASCAR and eased his way in. But Montoya never raced in the Truck Series, going straight into stock cars for his October debut.

Montoya is now in NASCAR's top-level Nextel Cup Series, and he scored his first career victory on the road course in Sonoma, Calif., in June.

Jimmy Magnusson · 24 Aug 2007, 17:14 (Ref:1995923)

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuiE

Interesting, last year it was just talk, looks like there is action this time around...

Has Jaques driven anything this year?

Yup, at a little place called Le Mans in a "Pugueout"

Knowlesy · 24 Aug 2007, 17:25 (Ref:1995929)

I was thinking how quiet JV had gone on this, so I'm glad to see the interest is back!

VilleneuveTracy · 24 Aug 2007, 19:54 (Ref:1996005)

Great news. BDR is a solid team and should improve a lot next year as Toyota steps up its program. It isn't Hendrick or Gibbs but it is a good team. If JV can have 2-3 good years with BDR he could move to a stronger team after that. There is also the chance that BDR develops into a title contender with Toyota. It was once a top 10 team with Pontiac. Of course, first things first.

Let's see how JV does in the trucks. Still, this is fantastic news. Welcome to NASCAR, Jacques!

Knowlesy · 25 Aug 2007, 00:29 (Ref:1996105)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61746

An old rival welcomes the move...

Kirk · 25 Aug 2007, 01:33 (Ref:1996134)

Yes, it was good to hear JPM support JV in this venture and that he doesn't hold a grudge. The two had a few "incidents" in F1, on the track and off but that is ancient history now. JPM seems pretty convinced that JV can make the transition and rather quickly. It will be interesting.

VilleneuveTracy · 25 Aug 2007, 06:31 (Ref:1996168)

Classy move by JPM. I think they may actually wind up becoming friends because of the shared experiences they alone would have on the NASCAR circuit in F1 and winning the Indy 500.

J-C · 25 Aug 2007, 10:59 (Ref:1996227)

Although they had their run-ins in F1 once or twice, JV was supportive when JPM announced his NASCAR move last year and it's nice to see the sentiment returned. Looking forward to seeing how JV does - it's great how both of them are unafraid to try different disciplines.

Knowlesy · 25 Aug 2007, 21:46 (Ref:1996469)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61794
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61793

Jimmy Magnusson · 27 Aug 2007, 08:39 (Ref:1997283)

Interresting. I wonder if he'll be able to compete in Le Mans next year (Daytona I bet though!)

Have to say that I actually think quite highly about drivers who race in multiple disciplines; Villeneuve now got OW and Sportscars down, and with NASCAR next he's only got to do some rally to tie it all ut!

**FIRE** · 27 Aug 2007, 17:53 (Ref:1997772)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Magnusson

Interresting. I wonder if he'll be able to compete in Le Mans next year (Daytona I bet though!)

Wants Peugeot him back in the car? If I remember well his lap times weren't very good compared to the other Peugeot drivers.

Knowlesy · 27 Aug 2007, 17:59 (Ref:1997781)

He won't be able to do Le Mans I doubt. And it was no guarantee Peugeot would re-sign him as FIRE says.

Kirk · 27 Aug 2007, 22:34 (Ref:1998010)

Apparently JV enjoyed his 1st test. He kept it off the wall

... and his pace wasn't too bad for his debut at about half second per lap behind Skinner.

**FIRE** · 28 Aug 2007, 17:50 (Ref:1998569)

http://www.rds.ca/video/visionneuse.html?video=3730

Nice racing suit

Suze · 29 Aug 2007, 18:51 (Ref:1999413)

Villeneuve is on NASCAR Now at the mo, confirmed for a full time seat next year for Bill Davis Racing.

Knowlesy · 29 Aug 2007, 18:58 (Ref:1999420)

Just terrific. More good news for NASCAR, it just gets better and stronger.

So when does he make his truck debut?

Suze · 29 Aug 2007, 19:00 (Ref:1999422)

will be great to see him and JPM both in it!

Pass on trucks, didn't see whole interview.

Knowlesy · 29 Aug 2007, 19:01 (Ref:1999427)

I will have to obtain "footage" of his truck races.

(This is a massive hint. My PM's are open.

)

kingfloopy · 29 Aug 2007, 22:38 (Ref:1999644)

It's great to see him coming over to NASCAR. I think he'll struggle next year though. BDR was great 5 years or so ago, but they haven't been a top performer since then. The team will start off out of the top-35 in points and it looks like the current sponsor will leave at the end of this season. He won't have it as easy as Montoya did moving to Cup. I think may end up more akin to Allmendinger.

I wish him the best of luck though.

J.D.

Kirk · 29 Aug 2007, 22:46 (Ref:1999655)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Just terrific. More good news for NASCAR, it just gets better and stronger.

So when does he make his truck debut?

Sept 22. Vegas I believe.

VilleneuveTracy · 29 Aug 2007, 23:20 (Ref:1999690)

JV impressive in his first test, going from three-quarter a second behind Mike Skinner, a former top 10 cup driver and regular truck series front-runner, to just two tenths slower.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/head...est/index.html

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