Local hero Jacques Villeneuve captured pole position on his last qualifying lap for the NASCAR Nationwide race to be held Saturday in Montreal.
Villeneuve, the driver of the No. 22 Dodge Penske, did a small driving mistake on his opening hot lap but then set the third fastest time on his second and clinched the pole on his third, beating his fellow countryman and Penske teammate Alex Tagliani.
This was the first pole for the 1997 F1 World Champion in seven Nationwide series start, and his first pole in four races in Montreal.
IndyCar driver and Indy 500 pole winner Taglinai will start the race in second place in his No. 12 Dodge Penske.
The surprising Jason Leffler (Chevrolet) and former F1 driver Scott Speed (Chevrolet) will start from the second row.
Michael McDowell (Chevrolet) and Robby Gordon (Dodge) will share the third row.
"If there's one place that you want to be quick, it's at home," said Villeneuve, the winner of the Indy 500 in 1995.
"This is a special track as it bares my father's name. I've raced here 14 or 15 times, so there's a lot of history. I did make my lap on the third lap, which isn't the way to go. That shows that our race pace should be good because our tires are holding up. That gives us a lot of confidence for tomorrow."
Forty-eight competitors tried to qualify for the Napa Auto Parts 200, and 43 will take the start.
Villeneuve, the driver of the No. 22 Dodge Penske, did a small driving mistake on his opening hot lap but then set the third fastest time on his second and clinched the pole on his third, beating his fellow countryman and Penske teammate Alex Tagliani.
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| Jacques Villeneuve (Photo: Rene Fagnan/Auto123.com) |
This was the first pole for the 1997 F1 World Champion in seven Nationwide series start, and his first pole in four races in Montreal.
IndyCar driver and Indy 500 pole winner Taglinai will start the race in second place in his No. 12 Dodge Penske.
The surprising Jason Leffler (Chevrolet) and former F1 driver Scott Speed (Chevrolet) will start from the second row.
Michael McDowell (Chevrolet) and Robby Gordon (Dodge) will share the third row.
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| Alex Tagliani (Photo: Rene Fagnan/Auto123.com) |
"If there's one place that you want to be quick, it's at home," said Villeneuve, the winner of the Indy 500 in 1995.
"This is a special track as it bares my father's name. I've raced here 14 or 15 times, so there's a lot of history. I did make my lap on the third lap, which isn't the way to go. That shows that our race pace should be good because our tires are holding up. That gives us a lot of confidence for tomorrow."
Forty-eight competitors tried to qualify for the Napa Auto Parts 200, and 43 will take the start.