Villeneuve to run Braun's No. 32 in Brickyard 400

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Braun Racing announced Friday that former Formula One champion and Indy 500 winner, Jacques Villeneuve, will attempt to qualify the No. 32 Toyota for the upcoming Brickyard 400 Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Villeneuve

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 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 Braun Racing at Indianapolis," Villeneuve said. "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. After a runner-up finish in 1994, he returned the following season to win the Memorial Day weekend race. Qualifying for this year's Brickyard 400 will mark his third career Cup Series 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 Toyota at the Nationwide Series' inaugural event at 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."