Villeneuve to drive for Braun at Brickyard 400

[wbcobrar]

Congrats to Villeneuve and good luck. Only the second driver to run all three of Indy's big races(Indy 500, U.S. Gran Prix, B Yard 500.).(Juan Pablo the other). Anyone think he's got a shot at top 20 finish?

[harvick#1]

no, he will be lucky to Qualify, but we will see what happens. if Braun put down a good Q-setup, and they get an early draw, they might be fine

[00steven]

It doesn't matter, he won't qualify anyway. It would be nice to see how he'd do in good equipment.

[edv]

Congrats to Villeneuve and good luck. Only the second driver to run all three of Indy's big races(Indy 500, U.S. Gran Prix, B Yard 500.).(Juan Pablo the other). Anyone think he's got a shot at top 20 finish?

Not so fast...he has to qualify and take the green flag first before he can join JPM.
Good luck to him!

[grantb4]

How many cars make the grid? More than 33?

[harvick#1]

43

[Alexamateo]

JV made it! :D 43rd. He was on the bubble when JJ Yeley (last driver to qualify) went out and slapped the wall.

[Mark in Oshawa]

JV said in the NASCAR.com article he likes challenges. Coming from back there on a track that is a real nasty to place to pass will be interesting to see.

He has a good finish here, I think he just shows he is more than a one trick pony....

No slouches win at Indy...

[gm99]

Just realized that there are three former Indy 500 winners (JV, JPM and Hornish Jr) in the Brickyard 400 field today - I don't think that has ever happened before.

[grantb4]

He could have done much worse!

[Roamy]

JV did excellent under all the conditions that he made this race under.

1. brand new car
2. no test time
3. no seat time for 2 yrs


He had to stop for debris in the grill or he would have finished even higher.
Could get a cup seat for the rest of the year.

[Mark in Oshawa]

JV did excellent under all the conditions that he made this race under.

1. brand new car
2. no test time
3. no seat time for 2 yrs


He had to stop for debris in the grill or he would have finished even higher.
Could get a cup seat for the rest of the year.

I was watching the race while doing about nine things at once and had the sound off, so I didn't know why JV ended up all those laps back....but it wasn't a bad run.

Now...will he get other oval starts? Maybe...Braun could try to keep him running the odd race here and there, but it is tough when you have to qualify on speed all the time with the rest of the go and go home crowd....

[Roamy]

One he has time in the car the qualy will be a no brainer for him. This was a brand new car with no history.

[Mark in Oshawa]

One he has time in the car the qualy will be a no brainer for him. This was a brand new car with no history.

Getting into the show isn't easy if the team hasn't the base of knowledge in setups....

Aint never easy to make the show if you are not locked in....some pretty good and experienced guys such as Casey Mears were sent packing this week...

JV is good...but this isn't where he cut his teeth...so he will have his work cut out for him.