NASCAR veterans warily view Villeneuve's debut

06.10.2007 00:00 Sport and Travel - Source: USA Today

"I think I would say the same thing in their shoes," said Villeneuve after Friday's Happy Hour practice session. "You don't want any unknown out there when you're running for a championship. At the same time, I've always tried to race intelligently. I'm not here to try and be a hero."

Earlier Friday, Villeneuve, 36, qualified his Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra in 10th position for what will be his second Craftsman Truck Series start on Saturday. Prior to that truck event, he'll still need to qualify on time in his No. 27 Unicef-sponsored Camry to make Sunday's 43-car field for the UAW-Ford 500.

Concerns have been primarily registered by Villeneuve's rivals who are in contention for NASCAR's Nextel Cup. Those are the drivers with the most to lose by getting caught in a somebody else's mistake on Sunday.

"I wouldn't doubt that Jacques Villeneuve isn't a tremendous talent and that he doesn't have the ability to do it or the ability to be competitive and to be fast here," contender Kyle Busch said. "The only problem that all of us do have is that he's making his debut at Talladega.

"He could go anywhere else and make his debut. Go to Martinsville, that's fine. Go to Phoenix, that's fine. Loudon (N.H.), whatever. The biggest thing is that this is a Talladega (restrictor) plate race and these things are already out of control sometimes."

Famous for exceptionally close racing and speeds in excess of 190 mph, Talladega has seen many multiple-car pileups through the years.

"I don't think this is the best place to have your first Cup race," said Chase contender Jeff Burton. "When you put 42 other guys out there it gets pretty hectic and the decision making is different in these cars than it is normally."

Jeff Gordon, a four-time Cup champion, says it's not only that Villeneuve is planning to debut at Talladega, but doing it in NASCAR's first race with its Car of Tomorrow on a superspeedway.

"I think he's a tremendous talent and he belongs in this series and I'm excited to have him in this series," Gordon said. "But I don't care if you're (Formula One champion) Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve or (Indy champ) Dario Franchitti — the greatest driver on the planet should not be running their first race this weekend. It's partially because it's Talladega, but more importantly because of the unknowns with this car. This is new for all of us."

That's precisely why Villeneuve, who hopes to run a full Cup schedule in 2008, said he chose to race at Talladega this weekend.

"It's the first race of the COT on a speedway and it's preparation for Daytona (next year) — the only one," he said. "So, it's really important."

Villenueve said his plan is to gain experience, not get in the way of NASCAR veterans, particularly those vying for a championship.

"I still have so much to learn in this type of racing, but each week, I feel a little more comfortable," he said. "I know who I am, but they don't know who I am, so, of course, it's a big question mark to them. But I've never been a stupid driver. I've always been patient. I want to race patiently and not get in their way. I have a lot of racing experience. I've won a championship. I don't have to do anything stupid or crazy out there."

Villenueve said he's completely committed to his NASCAR career.

"When you come here, you have to think 100% NASCAR," he said. "You can't have one foot in here but still hope you maybe do some open-wheel."

Villeneuve was only 42nd fastest in Friday morning's practice at 187.35 mph. He improved to post the 24th fastest time (188.47) during Friday afternoon's session, but his 188.47 mph was nearly 5.5 seconds slower than the fastest lap of the afternoon, turned by Tony Stewart.

Villeneuve said he found the Car of Tomorrow a bit easier to handle than his truck "The truck moves around a little more in the draft than the car does," he said.

And he had no complaints about visibility that other drivers say has been limited by the increased height of the Car of Tomorrow and the wing on the back of the car. It's better than what he's used to.

"I feel great (in the driver's seat)," he said.

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