Following the rumors who are insisting that a potential "Villeneuve Racing" is about to secure the 13th F1 team position, Jacques Villeneuve himself hasn't made any official announcement yet about his F1 team but his official site only mentions that the French-Canadian ace will try to to qualify the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota for the upcoming Sprint Cup Brickyard 400 event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with Braun Racing after his satisfying performance during Bucyrus 200 presented by the Menards at Road America.
Villeneuve has found success in racing that can be rivaled by very few - having captured world championships in both the Indy Car World Series and Formula One and was the winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500, a feat accomplished only by two other drivers. Qualifying for the Brickyard 400, he will join Juan Pablo Montoya as the only two drivers in history to compete in all three of the historic speedway’s premier motorsports events: the Indianapolis 500, the U.S. Grand Prix and the Brickyard 400.
"I am very excited to join with Braun Racing and Dollar General at Indianapolis" We had a very exciting and solid race last month at Elkhart Lake. I had hoped it would result in additional opportunities to drive for the organization. I have a lot of good memories at the Brickyard. Winning the Indy 500 was a very big highlight in my career. This will be my first venture in a stock car there, but I am confident that we will do well."
Villeneuve has made two starts in the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After a runner-up finish in 1994, he returned the following season to win the world-famous Memorial Day weekend race. Qualifying for this year’s Brickyard 400 will mark his third career NSCS start and his first in the series with Braun Racing. Villeneuve has made three previous starts with the Mooresville-based team, most recently behind the wheel of the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota at the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ inaugural event at Elkhart Lake’s Road America. Narrowly missing the pole, he started from the second position and was a contender for the win until an electrical issue ended his race on the final lap.
Braun Racing owner Todd Braun commented:
"Entering the Brickyard 400 as an owner at this historical track means a lot to me. It is extra special because I grew up here in Indiana. It’s also exciting to take a former Indy 500 winner to the Brickyard. He and Trent [Owens, crew chief] work very well together and I know that Trent is looking forward to the feedback that Jacques can provide him. He is an extremely talented driver. Jacques is a great asset to our team and its road course program."
