Canadian Jacques Villeneuve set the fastest time of the two free practice sessions of the NASCAR Nationwide series in Montreal at the Napa Auto Parts 200.
Fellow Canadian Ron Fellows emerged fastest in the first practice session Friday morning. Fellows, who won here in 2008, lapped the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in 102.129 seconds at the average speed of 95.491 mph.
Owen Kelly, subing for Marcos Ambrose who's in Michigan for the Sprint Cup race, was second in front of Alex Tagliani, Boris Said, Jacques Villeneuve and Scott Speed, all road course specialists.
Disaster stuck for local hero and two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire series' champion Andrew Ranger whose engine blew up early in the session.
In the second practice session, Villeneuve, the former Formula 1 World Champion, set the best time in 102.222 seconds in a qualifying simulation.
Robby Gordon finished second in front of Kelly, Jason Leffler, Scott Speed and Tagliani.
“I am very pleased overall. The car is really good here,” Villeneuve said.
“The throttle was sticking a bit this morning but that's been fixed. Compared to last year, the new Nationwide car is heavier but we run on stickier tires. So it means we can brake later and harder. I also have a good qualifying spot this afternoon. I am really confident,” Villeneuve explained.
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| Ron Fellows (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Fellow Canadian Ron Fellows emerged fastest in the first practice session Friday morning. Fellows, who won here in 2008, lapped the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in 102.129 seconds at the average speed of 95.491 mph.
Owen Kelly, subing for Marcos Ambrose who's in Michigan for the Sprint Cup race, was second in front of Alex Tagliani, Boris Said, Jacques Villeneuve and Scott Speed, all road course specialists.
Disaster stuck for local hero and two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire series' champion Andrew Ranger whose engine blew up early in the session.
In the second practice session, Villeneuve, the former Formula 1 World Champion, set the best time in 102.222 seconds in a qualifying simulation.
Robby Gordon finished second in front of Kelly, Jason Leffler, Scott Speed and Tagliani.
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| Jacques Villeneuve (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
“I am very pleased overall. The car is really good here,” Villeneuve said.
“The throttle was sticking a bit this morning but that's been fixed. Compared to last year, the new Nationwide car is heavier but we run on stickier tires. So it means we can brake later and harder. I also have a good qualifying spot this afternoon. I am really confident,” Villeneuve explained.