Jacques Villeneuve

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TALLADEGA, Ala. - Jacques Villeneuve had this to say about Jeff Gordon and others criticizing his decision to attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut this weekend in a restrictor-plate race that is part of the Chase For The Nextel Cup:

"If I was in their shoes, I would have said the same thing," Villeneuve said following Craftsman Truck Series practice Thursday at Talladega Superspeedway. "You look at what is best for you. Ultimately, it could be even riskier for them on a track where you actually have to brake and get down [in the groove] like Phoenix.

"It's not a problem. Not everybody was against it. They didn't say anything bad. They're a little bit nervous. They are in a championship and they don't want anybody to mess the championship."

Then, he cracked a joke knowing full well what happened last week in the race at Kansas:

"They've been crashing into each other since the start of the Chase," Villeneuve said before turning serious again. "I just want to make sure I don't make it tough for them."

The former Formula One champion tested a Cup car at Talladega last month and competed in a truck race two weeks ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He plans on running the entire 2008 Cup schedule for Bill Davis Racing.

There is an ARCA race at the track this weekend, but Villeneuve opted for trucks and Cup. That raised the ire of some Cup drivers who didn't want an inexperienced driver competing in a race that is part of the Chase.

But Villeneuve felt he could learn more driving against the people he will be competing against next season in the cars (the car of tomorrow) he'll be competing in next season.

"We had done two days of testing, drafting, and it went very well," the 36-year-old Canadian said. "What's the point of not doing it? I got accepted [by NASCAR officials]. It would be stupid to not do it. You have a chance. Go for it."

Villeneuve must qualify for the race on speed. He hopes to stay out of trouble in the race. He said he won't try to be aggressive when trying to get back into the pack. But he knows enough about the nature of restrictor-plate racing that he could be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"If I get collected in something after what they've said, they'll think that it's my fault," he said. "That is the only problem. That puts a little bit of pressure. I will really do all I can to stay out of trouble.

"The best thing is to just drive normal. If you make an effort to stay out of trouble, you will do something that is not natural and that could create an extra hassle. The other problem is if they're a little bit leery of me, they probably won't drive normal either."

The next Cup race for Villeneuve could be Phoenix, BDR General Manager Mike Brown said.
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:D
 
I think JV will be watching the race from the stands. He will not qualify.
 
It might just be me... but I kinda like this guy already.... B)
 
Me 3. If he actually does make the race, they will not draft him. Unless Blaney qualifies, too. Mayfield would hang his own mother out to dry so can't count on him if he qualifies. I would worry more about David Regan than JV!
 
1st practice and JV was 42 fastest. I hear that Jeff Gordon is going to skip the 2nd practice????:
 
I was a major fan of his father Gilles, as I've stated many times before. :) There's those who think he doesn't belong out there and others that say he's fine and is a great driver, no matter what he's driviing. We shall see.

Jeff didn't do Happy Hour because he wanted to save his car from any damage. I read there might have been a dent in his back end from the first practice and others had some problems getting into things during the first. Tony was the fastest in both practices.
 
These cup drivers have seriously got to drop their holier than thou attitudes & just race. The Hendrick & RCR groups have been especially whiny the last few weeks. JV is a great talent & has as much business at Talladega as anyone else. Hopefully he qualifies & does well
 
CypressTrout said:
These cup drivers have seriously got to drop their holier than thou attitudes & just race. The Hendrick & RCR groups have been especially whiny the last few weeks. JV is a great talent & has as much business at Talladega as anyone else. Hopefully he qualifies & does well
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No one questions his driving talent. What is questioned is his experience driving a Cup car in Nascar style racing. But, I don't think we will have to worry about JV messing things up at Dega, I doubt that he will qualify.
 
Yeah, has to be the truck. Couldn't possibly be inexperience. :D
 
Nice qualifying run by JV...good luck to him tommorrow.
 
if Jacques is fast and drives a smart race he'll find a drafting partner(s). i must say he's been damn impressive so far. i wish him well.
 
Did they ever clarify what it was that happened? They were guessing a lot about something "breaking." I think I caught part of the interview with JV and I thought he said he had a problem with the cars in front slowing down to go into pit row???? Anyway, I wish him the best of luck tomorrow and no crashing my drivers. LOL ;)
 
I'm just hoping JJ doesnt cause a big one. He hasn't caused one in a few plate races now... he's about due.:p
 
WNY24Fan said:
Did they ever clarify what it was that happened? They were guessing a lot about something "breaking." I think I caught part of the interview with JV and I thought he said he had a problem with the cars in front slowing down to go into pit row???? Anyway, I wish him the best of luck tomorrow and no crashing my drivers. LOL ;)
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Yes, JV did say that he moved right to avoid the suddenly slowing trucks in front of him.
 
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