NASCAR: Braun Racing adds the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen to schedule for Jacques Villeneuve

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 29, 2010) – Braun Racing is pleased to announce that former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will drive the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota in the upcoming Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International, rounding out the 2010 Nationwide Series road course event trifecta. The August race at “The Glen” will be the road course phenomenon’s debut at the 2.45-mile track.

“I was very disappointed with our end result at Road America,” he said. “We had such a great car and a fantastic team and to not get the win was frustrating. It was difficult to think we’d have to wait until our return to Montreal to try again. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to race at Watkins Glen for my first time with this talented group. I think it will be a lot of fun and I hope to end this race in victory lane.”

Villeneuve has made three previous Nationwide Series starts with the Mooresville-based team, most recently behind the wheel of the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota at Elkhart Lake’s 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. He is also scheduled to pilot the No. 32 in the Nationwide Series’ return to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal) in late August.

The Canadian driver has found success in racing that is matched 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. Driving the Dollar General Toyota at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend he joined Juan Pablo Montoya as the only two drivers in history to compete in all three of the historic track’s premier motorsports events: the Indianapolis 500, the U.S. Grand Prix and the Brickyard 400.

“Jacques is the type of driver that any crew chief could hope to have behind the wheel, especially at a road course,” said crew chief, Trent Owens. “Not only is he a very talented driver, but his ability to feel and describe the car’s balance is incredible. Jacques is a great asset to our team and its road course program and we are very excited to have him drive our car at Watkins Glen.”

From Jody Jennings / Braun Racing