Villeneuve brings Cup debut forward
Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to make his NASCAR Nextel Cup debut at Talladega on October 7, five weeks earlier than originally planned
The Canadian had initially planned to take part in the ARCA and Craftsman Truck races at the superspeedway, but he has been given approval by NASCAR officials to enter the Nextel Cup race after his impressive performance in a recent test at the track.
"I'm really happy that NASCAR has given me its approval so quickly," said Villeneuve. "It's perfect.
"Having run Talladega with the Cup drivers, I'm really looking forward to it. It's a huge step in my learning process."
Villeneuve finished 21st on his NASCAR debut in the Truck series at Las Vegas, and he admitted that he is expecting a tough time when he tries to make the field for his first Nextel Cup race, which will also be the first restrictor plate race for the Car of Tomorrow.
"NASCAR, and in particular the Car of Tomorrow, has been fun so far," he said. "But I'm realistic in my expectations - everyone of those guys is quick, and all the teams are good too."
Villeneuve's crew chief, Richard 'Slugger' Labbe, believes that Villeneuve has already made a positive impact in the Cup paddock after his performance in the test recently.
"Jacques ran a lot of laps in the CoT test at Talladega, he ran well in the draft, he earned a lot of respect, and he didn't make anybody mad," he said.
"It's really neat that he's been approved so quick. Everybody at the shop is so fired up, we can't wait to go to Talladega next week."
Villeneuve will still contest the Truck series race on the same weekend, although he will no longer take part in the ARCA race at Talladega.
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