[Team Yates]

Drivers Don't Like Villeneuve Debuting at Talladega: #24-Jeff Gordon thinks it's a big mistake for former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve to attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut next week at Talladega Superspeedway. "I love Jacques, but that's not the right decision to make," Gordon said Friday. "I didn't think it was the right decision last year for David Gilliland, either. Nothing against their talent or anything else, but that race in the Chase? Why? If you want to run a race, go to Atlanta or another 1.5-mile oval." Gordon said he was surprised NASCAR gave it approval for Villeneuve to debut on the giant 2.6-mile oval. The Oct. 7 event is the first restrictor-plate race in the Car of Tomorrow.(ESPN.com)
AND: #5- Kyle Busch was shocked to learn that former Formula 1 and CART champion Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut next weekend at Talladega. "He's doing what? Holy cow, that's not good," Busch said when asked for his reaction to Villeneuve racing at Talladega. "You've got to start somewhere but the Cup Series at Talladega definitely isn't the place to start."(SPEEDtv.com)(9-29-2007)

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

Drivers Don't Like Villeneuve Debuting at Talladega: #24-Jeff Gordon thinks it's a big mistake for former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve to attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut next week at Talladega Superspeedway. "I love Jacques, but that's not the right decision to make," Gordon said Friday. "I didn't think it was the right decision last year for David Gilliland, either. Nothing against their talent or anything else, but that race in the Chase? Why? If you want to run a race, go to Atlanta or another 1.5-mile oval." Gordon said he was surprised NASCAR gave it approval for Villeneuve to debut on the giant 2.6-mile oval. The Oct. 7 event is the first restrictor-plate race in the Car of Tomorrow.(ESPN.com)
AND: #5- Kyle Busch was shocked to learn that former Formula 1 and CART champion Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut next weekend at Talladega. "He's doing what? Holy cow, that's not good," Busch said when asked for his reaction to Villeneuve racing at Talladega. "You've got to start somewhere but the Cup Series at Talladega definitely isn't the place to start."(SPEEDtv.com)(9-29-2007)

I guess I'll toss in my agreement with this one. Neither of the two in this story are on my top 10 list but this isn't the time or place for a totally (NASCAR) inexperienced driver to jump into this series. It seems like they may be looking for sponsor exposure versus getting him some real seat time. If he is the cause of an accident you'll hear some major complaining to NASCAR.

[jks812]

I wouldn't think it was a very good place either. Doesn't say in that post, but who is he driving for? I just think whoever it is might be making a stupid move.

[LSC9901]

This link will tell you who he will drive for.

Villeneuve to race NASCAR Nextel Cup debut at Talladega, October 7th

Jacques Villeneuve will make his NASCAR Nextel Cup race debut next weekend, five weeks earlier than originally planned, in the ‘UAW-Ford 500’, at the famous Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. Villeneuve, who sat in a ‘Cup’ car for the first time just 24 days ago, was initially scheduled to race the ARCA and NASCAR Craftsman Truck races at Talladega – steps one and two on the NASCAR ladder – whilst watching the main ‘Cup’ event on Sunday, along with over 143,000 trackside spectators. Villeneuve’s fast-track to ‘Cup’, the top step of the NASCAR ladder, has been made possible only with the approval of NASCAR. His recent performance in his debut ‘Car of Tomorrow’ test, also at Talladega, where he ran more laps than any other driver, and successfully ‘bump-drafted’ his way through the pack, without making enemies of the more experienced drivers, is seen to have eased that same process of approval.

Bill Davis Racing

[jks812]

Well we can always hope he don't qualify. I don't understand these owners bringing these guys in that have no Nascar experience and putting them in a cup car. I don't care who you are, what series you ran or how good you were in that series. They should have to run minimum 1 year ARCA, then 1 year truck or busch and then move up to cup.

[Lefturn]

I think Villenueve is a talented driver but put me down as one who doesn't like the idea.

I don't think ANY driver should be making their NEXTEL CUP debut at any point during the chase. He could run the ARCA and BUSCH race to get some seat time on the oval but I'd draw the line there.

[DOF_power]

>



> Well that's what they said about Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1.
Now after yesterday's race victory he's almost (~95%) World Champion with only a miracle turning the tide to either Alonso or Raikkonen.
But he's an exception rather the rule while others didn't fair so well.


So what about Villeneuve ?!
As mentioned it's all about publicity/$$$.
Villeneuve is know both in America (CART-Indycar) and the (rest of the) world (Formula 1) and that makes him alongside Montoya quite precious for a NASCAR wanting to expand beyond the (saturated) US of A.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

>
So what about Villeneuve ?!
As mentioned it's all about publicity/$$$.
Villeneuve is know both in America (CART-Indycar) and the (rest of the) world (Formula 1) and that makes him alongside Montoya quite precious for a NASCAR wanting to expand beyond the (saturated) US of A.

We're all happy he is known world wide. How many races does he have in NASCAR to date ?? That's the beef right now. Start in the minors where there is less of a chance of destroying the day of teams in the playoffs, not that I am a chase fan but it is in place so we need to go with it ... sort of.

[DOF_power]

"How many races does he have in NASCAR to date ??"

And that's relevant to NA$$$CAR how exactly ?!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

"How many races does he have in NASCAR to date ??"

And that's relevant to NA$$$CAR how exactly ?!

familiarity with the car, track, his ability in said car and track, the safety of everyone around him. Just because someone is world class in one area doesn't insure he can run well and safely in another. I kow the basics of driving a car ... should I be allowed to run at Talladega just because I can operate a clutch and pin the speedometer ???

[DOF_power]

>



^ No, but that's hardly relevant as you're not someone named J. Villeneuve.
Now if your name was say ... Michael Schumacher, you can be sure they NASCAR would let you.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

>



^ No, but that's hardly relevant as you're not someone named J. Villeneuve.
Now if your name was say ... Michael Schumacher, you can be sure they NASCAR would let you.

Well also consider that some of the big names already in NASCAR don't want to see this happen. I think Jeff Gordon has a louder voice within NASCAR than Villeneuve or Schumacher. Probably louder than they'll ever have.

My opinion is that NASCAR would be doing a dis-service allowing them in at this point in time. Just my opinion.

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

"How many races does he have in NASCAR to date ??"

And that's relevant to NA$$$CAR how exactly ?!

How many races has Vileneuve run where he's drafting with 42 other cars in a tight pack going 198 miles an hour for hours on end? Don't you think that's relevant? Sure would concern me if I was running behind him or beside him, especially if he gets hung up in the middle.

[oncea3fan]

hopefully he won't kill or seriously injure anyone.

yeah the middle could be bad news.

hey a bill davis toytoa ain't really a rocket, so maybe he won't make it.
is he going to take mayfields ride or is it a third car?

[PettyBlue]

If and a big IF he makes it in on speed he will do fine.The man is not stupid,F1=fighter jet,Cart/IRL=Learjet,Nascar/COT=turboprop.I would fly with a guy like that.He will drop back like rookies do and pick/chose when and where to go.Again,if he even makes it in on speed.Just my take on this.