Villeneuve close to victory on return

The 1997 Formula 1 world champion was a factor on his return to Elkhart Lake, setting the pace in the final practice session of the weekend and starting from the front row after qualifying second to polesitter Carl Edwards.

Villeneuve, driving Braun Racing's #32 Toyota Camry, followed the Roush Fenway driver for most of the first part of the race but then got shuffled back as different strategies came into play. However, following his final stop for fuel, he was able to charge back to the front and took the lead of the race with 12 laps remaining.

On a single lap and following a restart he was able to get from 8th to 1st, making some impressive overtaking moves such as the one that put him in the lead as he went three-wide under braking on the inside of Edwards. That was despite his front tyres rubbing with the fenders as a consequence of some previous contact.

He led the race for three laps before Edwards re-passed him at the next restart and a couple of laps from the end he was slowed down by a broken alternator wire that eventually cost him a strong finish. He was officially classified in 25th place.

"It was actually a lot more fun than I expected," said Villeneuve. "The cars drove really well around the course and it was a fun race. It was obviously a lot different than the last time I was here, but it was fun out there today."

"The car felt really good here. It's too bad. It's really annoying to work so hard all weekend and not have the result. The crew worked hard and my car was amazing all weekend. It's just tough when you do two races a year. You have to make the most of them."

The Canadian took particular pride in his overtaking move for the lead, one that he had been setting up since he followed Edwards earlier in the race.

"That was fun," said Villeneuve. "That's one place I knew I was braking later than the 60 [Edwards]. I had seen it all race and I was close enough. It was three-wide and I knew it was going to be tight, but you have to take your chances when they're available.

"He was quicker than us all through the race so I had to take my chance when I could. I was battling the front brakes all race. Then at the end, after the last restart, the car was really, really quick, but then we had electrical problems."

Edwards' victory was his first this season and also gave Ford its maiden NASCAR victory in a national touring series this year.

Villeneuve will be back in the Nationwide Series in August when the series makes its annual visit to the Ile Notre Dame in Montreal.