Former Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve's road to the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing continues to hit speed bumps.
After weeks of searching for a sponsor to come up with the roughly $18-million (U.S.) he needs to secure a ride in the NASCAR Busch Series, the 1997 world champion driver has apparently set his sights a bit lower.
A source close to the 35-year-old native of Iberville, Que., said he is now looking into other ways of getting into a stock car.
"He's even talking about doing the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series now and then, do some Busch, to try to get into it," the source said.
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"You know, if you haven't driven these cars, there aren't a lot of people who want to touch you. The teams think there's a steep learning curve which takes time and experience and they don't want to finance it."
The Truck Series is considered the bottom of the NASCAR ladder for young up-and-coming talents in stock car racing and not exactly a place where a 10-year F1 veteran would prefer to cut his teeth.
But, the series isn't necessarily a dead end: top Ford driver Carl Edwards, 27, started in trucks and climbed to the Nextel Cup.
On his official website, Villeneuve's Christmas message alluded to a forthcoming deal, but did not specify where he might land.
"I will also be hoping to have some news about my future in racing some time," he wrote. "At the moment, it's too soon to say anything specific, but watch this space."
Villeneuve has been out of a job since he left the BMW-Sauber F1 team in July after refusing to give up his race seat to rookie Robert Kubica of Poland. Since the split, Kubica earned the seat with a number of solid performances, while Villeneuve turned his gaze to NASCAR, hoping to land a ride in the Nextel Cup.
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