Friday, 16 July 2010 06:06
Written by NASCAR News
Braun Racing is pleased to announce that former Formula One World Champion and Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to qualify the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota for the upcoming Brickyard 400 (NSCS) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The veteran driver has found success in racing that can be rivaled by very few. Villeneuve has captured world championships in both the Indy Car World Series and Formula One and was the winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500, a feat accomplished only by two other drivers. Qualifying for the Brickyard 400, he will join Juan Pablo Montoya as the only two drivers in history to compete in all three of the historic speedway’s premier motorsports events: the Indianapolis 500, the U.S. Grand Prix and the Brickyard 400.
“I am very excited to join with Braun Racing and Dollar General at Indianapolis,” said Villeneuve. “We had a very exciting and solid race last month at Elkhart Lake. I had hoped it would result in additional opportunities to drive for the organization. I have a lot of good memories at the Brickyard. Winning the Indy 500 was a very big highlight in my career. This will be my first venture in a stock car there, but I am confident that we will do well.”
Villeneuve has made two starts in the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After a runner-up finish in 1994, he returned the following season to win the world-famous Memorial Day weekend race. Qualifying for this year’s Brickyard 400 will mark his third career NSCS start and his first in the series with Braun Racing. Villeneuve has made three previous starts with the Mooresville-based team, most recently behind the wheel of the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota at the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ inaugural event at Elkhart Lake’s Road America. Narrowly missing the pole, he started from the second position and was a contender for the win until an electrical issue ended his race on the final lap.
“Entering the Brickyard 400 as an owner at this historical track means a lot to me,” said Braun Racing owner Todd Braun. “It is extra special because I grew up here in Indiana. It’s also exciting to take a former Indy 500 winner to the Brickyard. He and Trent [Owens, crew chief] work very well together and I know that Trent is looking forward to the feedback that Jacques can provide him. He is an extremely talented driver. Jacques is a great asset to our team and its road course program.”
About Braun Racing
Braun Racing is a leading team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series that was handpicked four years ago by Toyota to help lead their entrance into the series. The team is proud to have claimed Toyota's first Nationwide Series pole on February 24, 2007 at California Speedway and their first win at O'Reilly Raceway Park on July 28, 2007. Founded by team owner Todd Braun in 2002, the team is in its eighth season of competition in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is expanding into a four-car operation in 2010 with an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Brian Vickers, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, David Reutimann, Brian Scott and Tayler Malsam. Braun Racing's marketing partners includes Great Clips, Dollar General, Beringer Vineyards, AccuDoc Solutions, Fraternal Order of Eagles, ABF, Northeastern Supply, SEM and Safety-Kleen.
About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General is the largest discount retailer in the United States by number of stores with 8,900 neighborhood stores in 35 states. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering quality private and national branded items that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood stores. Dollar General is among the largest retailers of top-quality products made by America’s most trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg’s, General Mills, Nabisco, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. The Company store support center is located in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Dollar General’s Web site can be reached at www.dollargeneral.com.
