Race/Date: EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 - Oct. 27, 2007 (NCTS)
Location: Atlanta Motor Speedway - Atlanta, Ga.
NOTES:
This week's race will be Jacques Villeneuve's fourth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start in 2007. He did not finish the last two races due to other drivers' accidents, so he is ready for a good finish.
- Atlanta is another new track to Villeneuve. He has tested other 1.5-mile ovals, including Chicagoland Speedway, the track at which he had his first NASCAR test.
- A huge ice hockey fan, Villeneuve will not be sneaking away from the track Saturday night to see the Atlanta Thrashers – they are playing in Chicago. While he was based in Switzerland during his Formula 1 career, Villeneuve started his own hockey team, The Monks of Bretaye.
- "Villeneuve" means "new town" in English… "Newtown" is the name of Villeneuve's bar/restaurant, located on Crescent Street in the heart of Montreal's social scene. The venue is under pressure to start hosting NASCAR-themed evenings, enabling fans to watch 'JV' in action on the big screen. Watch this space for more details.
- Buckle up… Suggestions that the hand driers in the Newtown washrooms are the most powerful in the world are unconfirmed, but if you find yourself in there, consider yourself warned!
- "Old friends" is how some would describe Remus and Sonax –European-based sponsors of Villeneuve's No. 27 Toyota Tundra Truck. Remus first sponsored the Canadian in the F1 series in 2001. Sonax has been with Villeneuve even longer – since 1996.
- Hamilton matches Villeneuve… On Sunday, British F1 rookie Lewis Hamilton narrowly missed the F1 driver's championship. In 1996, Villeneuve also finished second in the drivers' standings in his first attempt. Coincidentally, both drivers each won four Grand Prix in their debut season.
- Music to your ears… Villeneuve released his first musical album "Private Paradise" earlier this year. Europe's leading motorsports memorabilia site is now selling it, as fan interest reaches new highs.
- NASCAR fans will have to wait until the 2008 season before they can buy JV/27 merchandise. Expect to find some very unique items when the range hits the shelves.
Jacques Villeneuve on Atlanta Motor Speedway:
"It's a fast track, so it'll be very different than Martinsville! Although this season is about gaining experience, I'm a racer, so a good result would be a bonus. I'll be out to cover as much mileage as possible, to learn as much as I can, and to keep building for 2008. Right now, BDR has a strong package, and I'll hopefully get to run some laps with Mike [Skinner, teammate] and Johnny [Benson, teammate]. If I can do that, I'm sure we can do well."
From: James McArdle, Advantage Management
