I stated that Juan Pablo Montoya's move to NASCAR shouldn't be a way of NASCAR fans showing F1 who's the better racing series. I stand behind that because I know there are some of my own American folk who despise Formula One so much that any boost towards international talent (I include Canada as international talent) makes NASCAR incredibly relevant. In this time of NASCAR somewhat welcoming a world audience, these defectors of better racing series are a good indication of the kind of world talent NASCAR looks to have. I always say to never be prideful of NASCAR because of international stars stepping into NASCAR (I Initially wanted to say "stepping down to NASCAR"). It helps, but what about all the other different people from different nation who'll continually say "NASCAR ain't s:censored: compared to (a favorite local/national/regional/international series)." I was watching college football, so I didn't get to see any of the Las Vegas NCTS race. I'm proud for Jacques Villeneue. He's a world class racer who had his rounds in a number of racing series including Le Mans earlier this year. He shouldn't be downplayed or be given bulls:censored: statements if he doesn't do very well. Here are some examples of downplaying and just being an ass (hypocritical):
DOWNPLAY: "Jacques Villeneue is a great racer, but he can't hold a candle to these NASCAR guys. Everybody knows the world's best drivers are in NASCAR."
HYPOCRITICAL: "If Jacques Villeneue supposed to be a world-class racer, how come he can't pilot a NASCAR truck around an oval to victory lane beating everybody else?"
I have no problem with world-class talent taking on the challenge of NASCAR. I do feel a little bit like... why? Why NASCAR? Why ovals and more Hollywood drama than actual racing? You have to remember, though- NASCAR, like IndyCar to Le Mans, is just a motorsport. You enhance your skills in an incredible degree by going into other different motorsports. Most of us who aren't extremely fond of NASCAR are usually critical of NASCAR and world-class drivers who enter NASCAR, even if for only one race. The feeling of world-class talent taking on the challenge of Indy Cars or the Indy 500 is much different. It's different because there usually isn't a shortage of international talent in the IndyCar Series. Hell, they even race at Motegi's superspeedway. You still get some great American talent racing alongside international stars. But back to NASCAR. I wish Jacques Villeneue all the best in all of his action in NASCAR. I just hope we don't hear of a "Canadian Invasion" much like when Juan Pablo Montoya was told to have some sort of Latino invasion of NASCAR. The sort of pro-American focus drives me insane and makes me unable to connect with NASCAR fans or even have to listen to them. Whatever happened to a non-patriotic approach to racing where racers are better respected by their talent and not by where they come from or from what culture they represent? Even if they race in a domestic or regional series? Until this gets resolved (if it does), I'll still honor Villeneue's racing talent for his own personal talent contribution to NASCAR as opposed to the fact that he's an F1 champ adjusting to NASCAR. If you plan on knocking Villeneue for what he brings to NASCAR's depth of talent like what was done to Juan Pablo Montoya, then it's going to be a long (as in seemingly long and full of negative criticism. Think of playing sports for a New York City or Boston team) time in NASCAR for the 1997 F1 World Champion.
-end "Sound Off"
In other words he will probably not have a draft partner through the whole race for that sole reason.
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