MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 14, 2009) - Braun Racing is pleased to announce that former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve drive the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented by Dodge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. This event marks the second career NASCAR Nationwide Series start for Villeneuve at the world renowned road course named after his father, Gilles Villeneuve, also a legendary F1 racer.
Last season, Villeneuve qualified Braun Racing's No. 32 Toyota Camry in the fifth position and was poised to be one of the cars to challenge for the win. Despite the heavy rain conditions that enveloped the area, the highly skilled driver ran in the top-five until he was collected in an accident and went on to finish 16th.
"I am very happy to return to the track this year in Montréal with Braun Racing," said Villeneuve. "I enjoyed greatly my experience last year and their trust is greatly appreciated. It is also a team that prepares great cars. I am confident the No. 32 will be at least as good as the car the team prepared for me last, which is exciting. But what makes me even more happy is the fact that this time around, I'm part of the equation from a much earlier stage. Together we will be able to better prepare for the end of August race and it should have a good influence on our results.
Villeneuve is a road course phenomenon with a tremendous amount of experience on the 2.709-mile road course. In a career that has spanned for more than two decades, Villeneuve has found success that can be rivaled by very few. He has captured world championships in both the CART and Formula One Series and was the winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500. To win championships in both CART and F1, plus the famed Indy 500 is a feat that has only been accomplished by two other drivers.
"We are very happy to have Villeneuve back behind the wheel of the No. 32 in Montreal," said Braun Racing owner, Todd Braun. "He is a highly talented driver and had a very strong run in our car last year. He has unparalleled experience to add to our team and its road course program."
Promoter and spokesperson for the event, François Dumontier, echoed Braun's thoughts.
"Braun Racing has the opportunity to be the favorite team at our event next August," said François Dumontier. "Not only are they bringing to Montreal the excellent Jason Leffler, they have elected to give their second car to Jacques Villeneuve. Our fans remember how he qualified well, and was a key player for most of the race last summer. To see him back on track this year is a real promise of an exciting race. As a fan myself, I look forward to see our great champion in the Dollar General Toyota."
Photo: Jacques Villeneuve to drive Braun Racing No. 32 Dollar General Toyota in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented by Dodge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada on August 29-30, 2009. // Photo credits: CIA Stock Photography, Inc. // The imagery is a courtesy of CIA Stock Photography, Inc, and is copyright-free for the media.
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