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1995 Indy 500 Winner Villeneuve To Make Brickyard 400 Debut

Jul 16, 2010, 6:31 PM UTC

Jacques Villeneuve at Road America (2010). Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR via nascarmedia.com

Being Canadian and all I just had to post this press release on the front page. Now I’ve got another reason to wear my bright yellow Dollar General T-shirt that my wife really, really hates. Heh!

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, July 16, 2010 – 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to qualify for the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, trying to join one of the most exclusive clubs in motorsports.

1995 CART champion and 1997 Formula One World Champion Villeneuve will drive the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota for Braun Racing at the Brickyard. If he makes the 43-car field during qualifying Saturday, July 24, he will join Juan Pablo Montoya as the only drivers to compete in the three major auto racing events at IMS – the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400 and United States Grand Prix.

Villeneuve won the 1995 Indianapolis 500 in his second start at IMS. He also made five starts in the USGP Formula One race, 2000-03 and 2006, with a best finish of fourth in 2000.

“I am very excited to join with Braun Racing and Dollar General at Indianapolis,” Villeneuve said. “We had a very exciting and solid (NASCAR Nationwide Series) 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, from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, will attempt to make his third career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, but his first with Braun Racing. He has competed for the team in road-course events in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008, 2009 and this season.

“Entering the Brickyard 400 as an owner at this historical track means a lot to me,” said Braun Racing Owner Todd Braun, a native of Winamac, Ind. “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.”