Villeneuve to race again at Montreal in Braun's No. 32

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Braun Racing has announced that former Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve will drive the No. 32 Toyota in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. This event marks the second career Nationwide Series start for Villeneuve at the world renowned road course named after his father, Gilles Villeneuve, also a legendary F1 racer.

Jacques Villeneuve waves to the Montreal crowd.

Last season, Villeneuve qualified Braun Racing's No. 32 in the fifth position and was poised to be one of the cars to challenge for the win. Despite the heavy rain conditions that enveloped the area, the highly skilled driver ran in the top five until he was collected in an accident. He finished 16th.

"I am very happy to return to the track this year in Montreal with Braun Racing," Villeneuve said. "I enjoyed greatly my experience last year and their trust is greatly appreciated. It is also a team that prepares great cars. I am confident the No. 32 will be at least as good as the car the team prepared for me last, which is exciting. But what makes me even more happy is the fact that this time around, I'm part of the equation from a much earlier stage. Together, we will be able to better prepare for the end of August race and it should have a good influence on our results.

Villeneuve is a road-course phenomenon with a tremendous amount of experience on the 2.709-mile road course. In a career that has spanned for more than two decades, Villeneuve has found success that can be rivaled by very few. He has captured world championships in both the CART and Formula One series and was the winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500. To win championships in both CART and F1, plus the famed Indy 500, is a feat that has only been accomplished by two other drivers.

"We are very happy to have Villeneuve back behind the wheel of the No. 32 in Montreal," Braun Racing owner Todd Braun said. "He is a highly talented driver and had a very strong run in our car last year. He has unparalleled experience to add to our team and its road-course program."

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Promoter and spokesperson for the event, François Dumontier, echoed Braun's thoughts.

"Braun Racing has the opportunity to be the favorite team at our event next August," Dumontier said. "Not only are they bringing to Montreal the excellent Jason Leffler, they have elected to give their second car to Jacques Villeneuve. Our fans remember how he qualified well and was a key player for most of the race last summer. To see him back on track this year is a real promise of an exciting race. As a fan myself, I look forward to see our great champion in the Dollar General Toyota."

The excitement begins at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Aug. 29 with Nationwide Series practice sessions and qualifying, and concludes with the 74-lap event on Aug. 30. For updates and ticket information, please visit http://www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca.