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Crew chief backs Villeneuve to shine

Experienced NASCAR crew chief Richard Labbe has said that he expects Jacques Villeneuve to put in a strong performance when he makes his NASCAR Craftsman Truck series debut at Las Vegas

The former Dale Earnhardt Inc and Evernham Motorsports crew chief was present at Villeneuve's first NASCAR test this week, and he has been working with the Canadian to help him adapt to the series.

"Right now he's pretty impressive," said Labbe. "He's not intimidated by anything and he adapted really well.

"He's not going to go to Vegas and stick in on the pole and win the race, but I feel he will do a good job there."

Villeneuve was testing at Chicagoland Speedway this week, and Labbe was impressed by the former Formula One world champion's feedback considering his lack of experience with the cars.

"It was amazing how smart this guy was," he added. "He would start you at the entry of the corner and walk you all the way through it.

"Then you could go look at the data on the computer and it was almost exactly what he was saying."

Villeneuve will get his first taste of a Nextel Cup Car of Tomorrow next week at Kentucky Speedway, as the team prepares him for a possible debut in the top class later this year.

"The Car of Tomorrow is our future and we've just got to get him comfortable with it," Labbe added. "I'm sure next week at Kentucky it will open his eyes pretty good."

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