Villeneuve eyes Cup in '08 - Page 5

**Craig** · 8 Oct 2007, 14:48 (Ref:2034991)

Absolutely agree that he did well to start at the back of the field. He'd have made a few friends with that - good common sense. I'm not a fan of him personally but I'm delighted he did so well during the race. It's good too see that a couple of talented guys can step into the sport from single seaters and run in the higher midfield without much problem. In a year or so we could be seeing JV and JPM duking it out up front for the win... that'd be very very cool to see!

**FIRE** · 8 Oct 2007, 14:50 (Ref:2034995)

Great result for Villeneuve!

Knowlesy · 8 Oct 2007, 17:37 (Ref:2035118)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystery

On a vaguely unrelated topic, why is it that JV and JPM have been able to achieve half decent results pretty much out of the box but that Allmendinger and Hornish have not been?

Allmendinger is actually getting to grips with things now. His trouble is being in a Red Bull Toyota, hardly the most competitive thing going. But he and the team are progressing, especially now AJ is getting some Busch running with Chip Ganassi.

Hornish, well......I don't know. I've never felt he was the most miraculous driver. I think he'll get better, but this guy has spent the majority of his career driving underpowered slicks-and-wings cars round ovals. Quite a different prospect to a brutal stockcar.

deejay · 9 Oct 2007, 10:44 (Ref:2035744)

I'm pretty sure JV started in his grid position and just dropped to the back after the green flag - doesn't take long at 'dega.

He pretty much just tooled around keeping out of trouble - but was successful in that goal. Banged the wall a couple of times, but that's better than banging the other cars. A good first up effort. I think he'll be able to compete well next year.

Matt · 9 Oct 2007, 14:13 (Ref:2035895)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deejay

I'm pretty sure JV started in his grid position and just dropped to the back after the green flag - doesn't take long at 'dega.

He pretty much just tooled around keeping out of trouble - but was successful in that goal. Banged the wall a couple of times, but that's better than banging the other cars. A good first up effort. I think he'll be able to compete well next year.

No, before the race started, he stopped on the bottom of the back straight, and waited for everyone to go by.

Kirk · 9 Oct 2007, 16:24 (Ref:2036018)

Yeah, judging by the radio conversations, Slugger wasn't overly thrilled about relinquishing the 3rd row spot, and to be honest neither was I. I had visions of JV losing the draft almost immediately and wasting away some valuable experience. Thankfully a yellow allowed for some major set-up changes left over from the qualy. After that JV was still tight but fast enough to draft and learn.
Now that it is said and done, I believe it was the best thing JV could have done. He also was humble after the race, praised the regular drivers and thanked NASCAR for allowing him to race.

VilleneuveTracy · 10 Oct 2007, 04:55 (Ref:2036522)

Hornish is surprising. He is in top-level equipment (look at what Kurt Busch has done in Penske cars) but can't qualify for a race.

JV had a good race, earned praise from key detractors such as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Notably, Dale Jr. defended JV before the race and during the race asked where JV was running. So it looks like he has won over JG, JJ and probably others and never had Junior doubting him.

**FIRE** · 10 Oct 2007, 10:46 (Ref:2036732)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VilleneuveTracy

Hornish is surprising. He is in top-level equipment (look at what Kurt Busch has done in Penske cars) but can't qualify for a race.

Hornish was top 15 in qualifying at Dega.

Knowlesy · 10 Oct 2007, 16:18 (Ref:2036982)

That's the only place he's looked good though and he ended up shuffled out!

kingfloopy · 19 Oct 2007, 23:28 (Ref:2045037)

There's a rumour now that Villeneuve and his long time manager may have actually purchased Bill Davis Racing. I spotted it at Jayski, there wasn't much detail beyond that.

J.D.

Kirk · 19 Oct 2007, 23:40 (Ref:2045046)

WOW .... This link says so:

http://flagworld.auto123.com/en/raci...dex,view.spy?a rtid=90934

muggle not · 20 Oct 2007, 01:16 (Ref:2045084)

Jeez, the Bill Davis shop is not far down the road from me. I may have to take a spin down and see what they have.

If the rumor is true, and, I believe it is. Then it will assure JV of a ride.

Owning and driving though is no piece of cake in Nascar. Most have struggled.

ThePenguin · 20 Oct 2007, 01:40 (Ref:2045093)

If he really has purchased Bill Davis Racing, will they continue to use Toyotas? Or will he switch to another manufacturer seeing how poorly Toyota has done since they have just started doing the cup.

**FIRE** · 20 Oct 2007, 12:27 (Ref:2045326)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk

WOW .... This link says so:

http://flagworld.auto123.com/en/raci...dex,view.spy?a rtid=90934

If true a big surprise. Jacque Villeneuve Inc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muggle not

If the rumor is true, and, I believe it is. Then it will assure JV of a ride.

Owning and driving though is no piece of cake in Nascar. Most have struggled.

JV driving, Pollock responsible for commercial side of the business and hiring an experienced NASCAR guy for running the team?

I am sure Toyota will get more to the front next season.

**Craig** · 20 Oct 2007, 14:09 (Ref:2045392)

Genius. That model worked so well in F1!

johntt · 20 Oct 2007, 14:54 (Ref:2045418)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

I am sure Toyota will get more to the front next season

Thats what i think will happen. Toyota entered the Craftsman Truck series in 2004 and have won quite a few races this year. Give them a couple more years in Nationwide/Sprint Cup and they'll be up there with the Chevys especially now they have a top line team like Joe Gibbs to work with.

VilleneuveTracy · 20 Oct 2007, 20:46 (Ref:2045625)

JV has denied that he has interest in buying the team, although he did not rule out Pollock buying it. Bill Davis Racing claims there have been no negotiations with JV/CP about buying the team, although Davis is taking offers from many other people. What Davis prefers is adding a partner to the team, like Evernham did with Gillet, given the need for BDR to step up to the next level.

On a side note, JV methodically rose from 27th to 13th in the truck race today but was wrecked by Clint Bowyer with 1/4 of the race remaining. He had a great chance at finishing in the top 10 if he did not get wrecked. Oh well. He did get plenty of laps in, gained valuable experience in short track racing. I have high hopes for JV at Atlanta next week.

**FIRE** · 20 Oct 2007, 21:17 (Ref:2045654)

JV's crash
A 1-2 between Leffler and Bowyer.

Knowlesy · 21 Oct 2007, 10:43 (Ref:2045990)

So JV is effectively a pay driver now, buying a seat?

Seriously, should be interesting. Difficult task though.

Last2LiftOff · 21 Oct 2007, 11:03 (Ref:2046000)

Villeneuve eyes BDR in 08?

JV's looking more and more comfortable out there. And is Juan Pablo rookie of the year yet this year? Works for me, bring it. With apology to his fans however, anybody but Jeff Gordon, puleese.

I know, wrong thread, but I had to get that in there.

Knowlesy · 21 Oct 2007, 11:04 (Ref:2046002)

JPM is in a close battle with David Ragan for RotY.

Last2LiftOff · 21 Oct 2007, 12:43 (Ref:2046066)

Quote:

Juan Montoya* 21st with 2956 pts., and a win.
David Ragan* 22nd, with 2844 pts.

It would seem fitting. C'mon Juan Pablo!

Kirk · 21 Oct 2007, 14:55 (Ref:2046162)

A smug Clint Bowyer purposely spun JV in yesterday's truck race and then tried to attribute it strictly to JV's learning experience. JV wasn't the first victim either. He had done the same thing to another driver just a few laps earlier. It is just me

or has being in the chase gone to his head? He showed no respect for the CTS regulars out there. Apparently he was warned for aggressive driving, but the truth is he should have been black flagged, imo, at least.

**FIRE** · 21 Oct 2007, 15:03 (Ref:2046169)

See Villeneuve topic for movie of this incident

**FIRE** · 26 Oct 2007, 16:17 (Ref:2052131)

With UNICEF on his truck, who's paying the bills? Villeneuve and Pollock themself? Toyota?

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