INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indianapolis 500 champion and Formula One star Jacques Villeneuve is heading back to the Brickyard.
Villeneuve will attempt to qualify the No. 32 Toyota for Braun Racing in NASCAR’s annual Cup visit to the historic 2.5-mile oval July 25.
Villeneuve drove for Braun Racing in the Nationwide Series race at Road America last month, qualifying second and leading three laps before an electrical problem late in the race relegated him to 25th.
“We had a very exciting and solid race last month at (Road America),” Villeneuve said. “I had hoped it would result in additional opportunities for the organization.”
The 39-year-old Canadian won the Indy 500 and the CART season championship in 1995 while driving for Team Green. He then moved on to F1, winning the points championship in 1997.
“I have a lot of good memories at the Brickyard,” Villeneuve said. “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 hasn’t raced full- time on any circuit since 2005. Patrick to keep it simple
TORONTO — Danica Patrick is going back to basics in the Honda Indy Toronto.
“I’m going to really try to come at it with a slightly different approach and stop chasing every little thing that I feel and just start focusing on my driving and really just try to keep it really simple,” Patrick said.
The race Sunday is the second of five straight street or road races before the season ends with four oval events.
Footnotes.
Top fuel driver Larry Dixon posted the fastest qualifying run with a pass of 317.79 mph at the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, Calif.
Bob Tasca (funny car), Mike Edwards (pro stock), Steve Johnson (pro stock motorcycle) topped their divisions.
• Friday’s NASCAR trucks race was postponed because of a power failure at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill.
The race was rescheduled for today.
