Former World Driving Champion Jacques Villeneuve says NASCAR may be a viable option if his Formula One career stalls. The former World Driving Champion said this weekend, “Going to NASCAR might not be such a bad career move, because it's the most exciting race series in the U.S., and it's a very different discipline to F1. I would not consider it a step down.”
Apparently, Sirius Speedway’s beloved “French Poodle” has his heart firmly set on a second career in stock cars, since he used the venue of last week’s U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis to lift his leg on both the Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series, calling both series’ “tired,” and adding, “you only do that if you have no other choice.”
A couple of points, if I may…
1) I disagree with the premise that Villeneuve’s F1 career is in danger of stalling. As anyone in the Formula One paddock knows, Villeneuve’s career shifted into neutral years ago. The temperamental Frenchman has been resting on his overstuffed laurels ever since.
2) It is my firm belief that Villeneuve would blow his collective brains out after three weeks on the NASCAR Tour. His resume’ features not a single oval-track race -- unless you count snowmobile racing in his native Quebec – and it would take a minimum of two years for the poodle to get up to speed in a stock car. His colossal ego couldn’t possibly hold up that long.
3) Nobody in NASCAR wants him within a thousand miles of their team. In recent seasons, Villeneuve has made a cottage industry out of badmouthing teammates and criticizing his teams. Jacques never makes mistakes, you see, and is a master of deflecting the blame for poor performance away from himself, and onto anyone within splattering range. His contract with BMW-Sauber expires at the end of this year, and they’ll be only too happy to see him go.
4) And finally, I’m tired of hearing washed-up drivers from other series talk about jumping to the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit, as if NASCAR were some sort of Retirement Home for former racers. Take a look at the track records of former CART, IRL and Champ Car drivers in NASCAR competition. You’ll have to go back to the days of Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt to find a single winner. As Tony Stewart proved last weekend in IROC competition on the infield road course at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR’s finest have nothing to learn from those puffed-up sporty car types.
As usual, it appears that the “French Poodle” is barking up the wrong tree.
"His resume’ features not a single oval-track race -- unless you count snowmobile racing in his native Quebec – and it would take a minimum of two years for the poodle to get up to speed in a stock car."
ReplyDeleteHe won an Inianapolis 500 didn't he? Oh well.....he still washed up.
Uh, Dave...
ReplyDelete(cough)1995 Indianapolis 500(cough)
You still have a great point though
I'm a big JV fan and if he went NASCAR, I might actually get interested in the series again.
ReplyDeleteImagine, a NASCAR driver who actually speaks his mind, rather than regurgitate p.c. lines all day long - what would the fans think of that?
You don't win the Indy 500 & F1 championship with out a bit of talent.
Besides anyone who has raced a NASCAR modified can't be all bad. He would certainly be an improvement over some of the seat fillers now in Cup (with pretty good teams I might add).
Take a look at the track records of former CART, IRL and Champ Car drivers in NASCAR competition. You’ll have to go back to the days of Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt to find a single winner.
ReplyDeleteBack to Mario and AJ to find a single win from former CART/IRL/Champ Car drivers in NASCAR?
*cough*TonyStewart*cough*Robby Gordon*cough*
Just sayin'. ;-)
But yeah, I agree with your assessment of Villeneuve's prospects in NASCAR.
You're all correct. What I was thinking -- and didn't translate to writing -- was "not a single oval track STOCK CAR race." But even that would have been wrong, since I was unaware of his broef fling in the modifieds. Thanks for keeping the host on his toes, kids.
ReplyDelete