So Which is it?
With the long anticipated official announcement the Busch Series would make its first north of the border appearence at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007 comes a question; Will there, or won’t there be “incentives” for NEXTEL Cup drivers to make that Busch event?
Scene Daily is reporting Brian France may up the purse money but when asked if other inticements would be offered he offered a rather vague and non-committal no.
The Toronto Sun is reporting when it directly asked France if NASCAR would “lean on” some of its Cup stars (meaning other than purse money) France is said to have responded, “yes.”
So which is it, will HWSBO use strong-arm tactics or just let it ride and hope a chance at a first time win in Montreal will be enough incentive?
I’m betting the latter. When Goodyear Eagle meets the road there’s not much NASCAR can do other than prize money. They can’t dock any Cup points, or the reverse, offer more for drivers willing to compete at Montreal.
It is what it is, a now former F1 circuit hosting NASCAR’s second tier series. Drivers like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon probably van be penciled in, as can the progeny of the circuits namesake, Jacques Villeneuve.
And while on the subject of “Motor Mouth”, Jack can’t be that stupid can he?
Sorry folks, I ain’t buying the fast and furious rumor that Roush will sign Jacques Villeneuve for next year (allegedly started in an Ikea store if you can believe that). Not for a hot second. Show me the dotted line with his scribble, then and only then, will I lay any credence to that nonsense.
Other Busch notes - Marcos Ambrose, who after missing the first three NCTS events, has aquitted himself with distinction in the series has signed a deal to run the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford for the full Busch 2007 season.
Ambrose entered the NASCAR ranks this season after a successful V8 Supercar career in Australia where he won two championships for Ford. He had not driven an oval race before his NCTS debut Martinsville in April, but since then he has finished with two third-place finishes (Kansas and Nashville) and a pole (Kentucky).
Marcos Ambrose, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Villeneuve, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
With JPM qualifying second at tomorrow’s ‘Dega ARCA race, will the team owners rush like lemmings over a cliff to snap up “Le Bebe”?
Lord I hope not, but a little more opportunity for humor in NASCAR could be a good thing.
The Ambrose “plan” was for 06 to be a learning year so I guess things are going to plan.The jury is still out IMHO - but my NASCAR/Busch Knowledge is limited - I will be very interested to see if he gets a run in a NASCAR on a road course.
He’ll definetly get his chance. The Busch series makes 3 road course stops in ‘07, Mexico, Montreal and Watkins Glen.
Great to see Ambrose moving up through the grades. For a guy finding his feet, looks like he’s doing well.
And to top it off, looks like Foxtel (Australia) will be carrying Busch series. Yay!