Jacques Villeneuve / Bill Davis Racing Event Preview
Race/Date: Casino Arizona 150 - November 9, 2007 (NCTS)
Race/Date: Chequer Auto Parts 500, presented by Pennzoil - November 11, 2007 (NNCS)
Location: Phoenix International Raceway - Avondale, Arizona
NOTES:
· Busy boy. This week is the second time this season that Villeneuve will run both Truck and Cup races, having done so at Talladega, one month ago.
· Second and last. Phoenix will be Villeneuve's second Nextel Cup race, following his Talladega debut where he qualified his Toyota Camry in 6th position. At that race, Villeneuve voluntarily started 43rd and last, in order to avoid causing those drivers contesting the Chase for the Nextel Cup any difficulties. With just two rounds remaining, it seems likely that ether Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon will claim the series win, so Villeneuve will not be volunteering to start anywhere other that the place he earns – provided he qualifies.
· Another NASCAR first. Phoenix is the 7th track that Villeneuve will have raced his Toyota Tundra Truck on. Of those, it's the first 1 mile oval.
· Looks familiar. PIR is the only track that Villeneuve will race in 2007 which he has raced at previously. In 1994, as an IndyCar World Series rookie, Villeneuve made his oval debut at PIR.
· Fast from the off was how IndyCar veterans judged the rookie's oval debut at PIR. Villeneuve qualified 2nd for the race, 1/1000th second off pole. He failed to score any points in a drama packed race which he later described as "definitely different".
· Fast learner. Two events later Villeneuve finished 2nd at the Indy 500 – his second oval race. The following year, the Canadian driver came from 2 laps down to win 'the 500', open wheel racing's single most famous race.
· "I know that face". In 1996, on his way to the series win, Villeneuve finished 5th at PIR, in a race won by NASCAR regular, Robbie Gordon.
· Legends all. Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti finished 2nd and 3rd that day. Villeneuve joins them as one of only three drivers in history to have won the IndyCar World Series, the Indy 500, and the F1 Drivers Championship.
· Hoping for better. Villeneuve has found his recent Craftsman Truck experiences disappointing. With just Phoenix and Homestead to run, ahead of his full season in Nextel Cup in 2008, Villeneuve remains focused on learning, but would like to finish Top 10.
· "Valley of the Sun" is how fans and drivers often refer to PIR. Jacques is the son of the late Gilles Villeneuve, a Formula One legend, who raced for Ferrari.
· "Villeneuve", a full-length motion picture comes to movie screens in 2008. The storyline follows Jacques' perspective of watching his father compete in an era where drivers regularly lost their lives in pursuit of their dreams. The opening scene begins inside Jacques' mind, moments after crossing the line to win the 1996 F1 World Championship….the rest of the story remains a secret for now….
· "Father" is a song that appears on Jacques Villeneuve's debut musical album, 'Private Paradise'. The song was written by Jacques and his sister Melanie, and took years to complete. It tells how the pair love and miss their father to the present day.
· November 28th sees Villeneuve's NASCAR partner, UNICEF host a charity concert at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada – Jacques' home town. Appearing on stage are big name stars including chart-topper Avril Lavigne, and Jacques has been invited to perform. Dependant upon commitments to other sponsors, he hopes to do so.
Jacques Villeneuve on Phoenix International Raceway:
"I've been here before, and I liked it. I have fond memories, but I realise that it will be different in NASCAR. I'll be working to get the best from my truck, something that hasn't proven too easy recently. With the Cup car, I'm not so sure what to expect, as I've not run much in it recently. Air temperatures have cooled considerably, so I don't expect to have much trouble with the heat.
As always, I know that a lot will depend on how well we run in the pack, how consistent we can make the truck or the car, and that if I keep out of trouble, I have another great opportunity to get ready for next year."
From Amanda Smith Mathis / Bill Davis Racing
