Jacques Villeneuve Just Keeps Going
Jacques Villeneuve is polarizing. Jacques Villeneuve is a champion. And still, at age 50, Jacques Villeneuve is hungry for more. And to me, that’s beyond admirable.
As a Formula One champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, it’s not like Jacques Villeneuve has a lot to prove to anyone the racing world. However, for him to qualify for this year’s Daytona 500, it makes for a hell of a story that has the attention of many people in the racing community.
For this year’s event, four places were up for grabs for non-chartered teams to take part in the race (chartered teams are guaranteed an entry in every race of the NASCAR season). Racing the #27 Ford Mustang for Team Hezeberg - a brand new non-chartered team - Villeneuve was one of the drivers attempting to race his way into “The Great American Race”, and on Wednesday, he set the fastest time of the six cars eligible for a spot in the race.
So on Sunday, Jacques goes for it. But why now? Why would a 50-year old F1 world champion make such an attempt at winning the Daytona 500?
In his words, Villeneuve said that he ranks the Daytona 500 right up there with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans as one of the biggest races in the world. As a man literally born to race, that’s enough to push anyone toward such a goal.
“It’s satisfying and amazing because there are quite a few times I’ve been hearing ‘come on, you’re past it, just give up’. No, the hunger has never stopped… until the day when I guess you start getting your foot off the throttle because you get a bit scared or you don’t get that adrenaline rush anymore as a positive thing. That’s when you should stop.”
Jacques Villeneuve on the hunger to continue racing.
But another factor is the fact that, simply put, Jacques loves NASCAR.
Since 2019, Villeneuve has spent time racing in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, and through his experience driving stock cars, he feels the opportunity has given his career a much needed shot in the arm.
“When I was in F1 I didn’t think I would be able to drive anything else. I was so focused and groomed for those kind of cars, and it’s not until I jumped into a NASCAR that I realized there was a lot of fun to be had driving something different and I’ve had a blast ever since just jumping in different kind of cars.
“The most fun I’ve had racing has been in NASCAR – not qualifying, because it’s hard to beat the speed that you get in Formula 1, but racing wheel-to-wheel or fender-to-fender, you can’t beat the way it goes in NASCAR.”
Jacques Villeneuve on his love for stock car racing.
Whatever happens on Sunday, I’ll be watching intently and cheering Jacques on. I’ve always had a great appreciation for what he and his father Gilles achieved in Formula One. Sure, he may rub some people the wrong way with his viral and often-abrasive commentary, but to see one of the greatest Canadian racers of all-time still doing his thing is something I don’t want to take for granted.