SONOMA, Calif. – One of the biggest menaces – at least in perception – is out of the Sonoma race before the halfway point.
Jacques Villeneuve, the former Formula One world champion who was driving Phoenix Racing's No. 51 car this weekend, had troubles from the start and eventually was forced out after 19 laps.
Other drivers, though, might be relieved. Villeneuve had developed an aggressive reputation during his Nationwide Series races over the last two years and drivers such as Clint Bowyer -- who called him a 'train wreck' -- and Danica Patrick worried he'd be a menace. Villeneuve said the reputation was unfair.
Before the race on pit road, Villeneuve's shifter got stuck in position – and he couldn't change gears. His team had to put the car on stands to fix it.
The same problem popped up again later in the race, but it turned out there was an even bigger problem: the engine wouldn't run.
Villeneuve was forced to settle for a disappointing 41st-place finish after having much higher expectations entering the weekend.
Patrick, whom Villeneuve wrecked at Road America last year, said Friday: "You know, after the things that have happened, it's hard to have a lot of respect for somebody like that. I respect what he's done in his career, but the way he treats other drivers on the track, I can't. So, that's all there is to say."
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