Villeneuve headed for the Busch leagues
Rumors and speculation have been circulating (partially self-fueled) of Jacques Villeneuve moving to NASCAR since the former world champion lost his race seat with BMW-Sauber that put the final nail in the proverbial coffin of his atrophying F1 career. The latest reports place Villeneuve in a stock car for a few events next season in the Busch Series for Roush Racing.
Given recent developments, we doubt they'd miss the opportunity to put JV in the Busch race at the track that bears his father's name in his home town: the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, scheduled for August 4.
The Busch Series is a step below the top-tier Nextel Cup where NASCAR's up-and-coming stars learn the ropes, and where Nextel Cup racers compete as well for a little extra practice (and prize cash). Like Juan Pablo Montoya (who's started even lower in the ARCA series when he switched from F1 to stock cars), racing in the Busch Series should give Villeneuve the opportunity to acclimate to stock car racing, though as a former Champ Car champ and Indy 500 winner, Jacques knows his way around an oval track.
Related posts:
- Canadian race shuffle: NASCAR comes to Montreal, CART moves to Tremblant
- Reports: Villeneuve signed NASCAR deal with Roush
- Mais, oui! NASCAR developing a French connection?
[Source: GrandPrix.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brandon 6:15PM (10/15/2006)
Has anyone seen any information posted about the new honda racing motors coming out later this month?
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andrew 6:50PM (10/15/2006)
I'd rather be a F1 test driver than race stock cars
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michael garcia 7:06PM (10/15/2006)
kubica replaced villeneuve and did a heck of a lot more with the same f1 car. it's sad and i think it hurts stock car even more now it's a place for "retired old f1 drivers that can't make it anymore". I'm more curious to see if the american stock car owners try and black ball these new f1 drives liek montoya and villeneuve.
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Quattrofan 7:19PM (10/15/2006)
Montoya, unlike Villeneuve still has it. Too bad for JV not knowing when to quit.
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Paul 7:28PM (10/15/2006)
Hey Michale Garcia
Montoya won F1 races last year. Sadly the Mclaren wasn't up to winning this year. Montoya still had a lot more to come providing he had the right team as for Villeneuve i dont think much of. I think it is good to see Montoya racing and think he will be able to be competitive quickly.
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offroadwarrior03 8:04PM (10/15/2006)
this must suck, going from uber-fast cars that handle well and accelerate to a heavy car, that has a good top speed but needs a lap to get there. also from having a car capable of going left and right equally well to one that doesnt turn right (except at the road courses). also he loses two gears and thousands of rpms. i see no plusses in his situation. i agree testing f1 cars would beat the shit out of driving stock cars.
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Ian 10:25PM (10/15/2006)
Seeing as top stock car drivers earn $25mm+ a year and a team doesn't need a $400mm a year budget to get a Podium. it's quite legitimate for a real "racer" to get bored with no hope cars in F1 and seek a change.
It's also funny when people discuss talents such as JV and JPM and "rubbish" their talent. They have achieved more than most drivers dream about and both are about to begin new careers.
Between them
F3000 Championship
2 CART Championships
2 Indy 500 wins
1 WDC and around 20 GP wins
One is aged 30 and the other near 35. They could be in Nascar for another 10 years. Who knows what they could achieve and EARN.
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Chris 11:31PM (10/15/2006)
If you can't drive for Ferrari or Renault what the hell is the point in driving F1? Sure McLaren may steal a win here or there but the every other car out is a moving chicane with little to no chance of getting on the podium let alone winning. Sure F1 is the ultimate but only if you can drive for the top two teams. I don't think some people on here fully understand the competitive nature of these drivers so they rip their choice to go race NASCAR. Personally, I would hate drive for Honda or Williams F1 teams and just make laps beacuse after a couple of races it would get old.
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Corey W. 11:36PM (10/15/2006)
It's interesting to see the comments that make stock car racing look like a step down from F1. We'll see how "well" these drivers do with these heavy cars that only turn left.
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t 2:07AM (10/16/2006)
F1 and NASCAR are similar and yet different. I would think it's like badminton and tennis. Actions and skills are similar but at the same time, it's a different game. I wouldn't be surprised if montoya and Villeneuve do well, or flop.
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Cars 5:25AM (10/16/2006)
Villeneuve i wish you best of luck.
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Eric 9:51PM (10/16/2006)
I have no intrest in nascar, but I'd be intrested in seeing montoya race in the series.
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Galley 10:04AM (10/16/2006)
At least JV always has a music career to fall back on...
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