FEBRUARY 18, 2008

Villeneuve out of work

Jacques Villeneuve has been dropped by the Bill Davis Racing NASCAR team after hitting a wall and triggering a multi-car accident during a qualifying race for the Daytona 500.

His place in the races ahead will be taken by Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson, who drive for Davis in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Villeneuve failed to qualify for the 500, a fate which also befell fellow open-wheeler refugees Patrick Carpentier and AJ Allmendinger. Others did better with Sam Hornish the best rookie in 15th and Juan Pablo Montoya and Dario Franchitti 32nd and 33rd.