[PenelopePitStop]

From my perspective, too soon to give up on JV. I haven't formed an opinion of him yet, but I don't care where he comes from. Besides, I can think of one former open-wheeler and one non-American former open-wheeler who have a tendency to wreck everyone in their paths. They both continue to drive Cup.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

From my perspective, too soon to give up on JV. I haven't formed an opinion of him yet, but I don't care where he comes from. Besides, I can think of one former open-wheeler and one non-American former open-wheeler who have a tendency to wreck everyone in their paths. They both continue to drive Cup.

and as I remember, at least one of those names is one you "refuse to mention," right?

BTW: I agree completely.

[BiscuitMan]

I think Jacques Villeneuve can be a very good driver in any race series... including NASCAR. He will eventually be successful with his venture into non-open wheeled racing.

However, NASCAR racing really requires a driver that a sponsor can use to help sell their products. Jacques is not one of those guys with a great out-going personality. He might be able to sell shaving cream, but not children's health for UNICEF Canada. The sponsor provides the money (lots of money) for a race team to field a car and be successful. And, Bill Davis Racing needs money to put the car on the track. Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will get them into the show. But, will a sponsor come along? That's the big question.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

I think Jacques Villeneuve can be a very good driver in any race series... including NASCAR. He will eventually be successful with his venture into non-open wheeled racing.

However, NASCAR racing really requires a driver that a sponsor can use to help sell their products. Jacques is not one of those guys with a great out-going personality. He might be able to sell shaving cream, but not children's health for UNICEF Canada. The sponsor provides the money (lots of money) for a race team to field a car and be successful. And, Bill Davis Racing needs money to put the car on the track. Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will get them into the show. But, will a sponsor come along? That's the big question.

depending on his finish at Le Mans, JV might increase his "star power" enough to attract enough sponsorship to put him back in the #27's seat.

any sponsor that Skinner/Benson attract will probably not care much for JV...

[OrionBen]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

any sponsor that Skinner/Benson attract will probably not care much for JV...

There is the problem with JV sponsorship, anyone who might be interested would be more company that we could see on a Formula One car, but their client is not the average NASCAR fan. So for them sponsoring NASCAR is throwing away money.

[Bob Tanner]

Why couldn't he get a Canadian sponsor? LaBlatt immediate comes to mind. Besides being one of Canada's biggest sellers, it's sold here, mostly in the Midwest and NE, but is expanding. LaBlatt has plunked down big money in major sports before, I think at one time, or maybe still, they owner the Blue Jays.

It seems strange to me that they wouldn't jump on a chance to become involved with a big name Canadian driver/team?

Maybe one of our Canadian members could 'splain this one to me?

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Maybe one of our Canadian members could 'splain this one to me?

Labatt's does come to mind, but it's been acquired by Amstel of Holland, so they are more inclined to go F1, like when they sponsored Williams and JV.
Today Molson and Coors are one company (not sure who bought who), so that would make more sense.
The obvious option would be to drive for Gillette and bump a driver there, as the owner owns the Montreal Canadians.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Labatt's does come to mind, but it's been acquired by Amstel of Holland, so they are more inclined to go F1, like when they sponsored Williams and JV.
Today Molson and Coors are one company (not sure who bought who), so that would make more sense.
The obvious option would be to drive for Gillette and bump a driver there, as the owner owns the Montreal Canadians.

GEM already has Patrick Carpentier, another fellow Quebecour (I think that's a proper term for someone from Quebec?). He'd have to dump either Casey or Sadler (neither would be a viable option, IMHO) or start a new team but that would entail sponsorship.

Sorry to see Jacques go. he'd have made an interesting addition to NA__AR.