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Analysis: Villeneuve eyes Cup in '08

Jacques Villeneuve looks set to make his NASCAR debut this year in the Craftsman Truck Series and will be testing extensively with Bill Davis Racing to prepare himself for a possible assault in the NASCAR Nextel Cup next year

Villeneuve announced that he will be testing next Monday at Chicagoland Speedway, at the wheel of a Toyota Tundra truck for BDR, in what is expected to be the first of a series of tests in preparation for a possible race debut at Las Vegas on 22 September.

"We will start with a single test," Villeneuve told Le Journal de Montreal. "It's important that the team see that I can do the job, and on top of all, if I like driving these cars. I'd be surprised if I don't, but I want to see for myself."

"If this works, fine. If not, it will be sad, very sad, but I will do something else. See, if this doesn't work, I'll record another album," he joked.

With the Car of Tomorrow used for the whole Nextel Cup season in 2008, Villeneuve could run in the truck series this year, as the machines there are heavier and have a higher centre of gravity - more akin to the CoT than to the current breed of Busch Series cars.

BDR are currently one of the leading teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. They lead the driver and owner standings with former Series' champion Mike Skinner, who has won four races this year.

Johnny Benson also drives for the team and has won two races, the last one Wednesday at Bristol.

Their Nextel Cup Series programme currently fields two Toyota Camrys for Dave Blaney and Jeremy Mayfield.

Blaney is currently the only Toyota driver ranked in the top 35 in the points and has been regularly the best qualifier for the Japanese brand, scoring its maiden Cup pole position at New Hampshire.

Earlier this month, BDR announced that Mayfield, who joined the team this season, will not be returning next year.

He has endured a disappointing season this far, failing to qualify the No. 36 car for 13 of 23 races thus far, and having a 13th place at Martinsville as his best result.

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