Recently, reports emerged that NASCAR Euro driver Loris Hezemans will compete in the 2022 Cup Series. The Dutch driver is establishing his own Cup Series racing team in 2022 – Team Hezeberg. However, it is worth mentioning that the driver himself will run in select Cup races. On an interesting note, Hezemans admitted that his teammate Jacques Villeneuve could be tempted to race.
The outfit will be the fruit of a collaboration between Toine Hezemans & Dutch entrepreneur Ernst Berg. Additionally, Team Hezeberg will tie up with Reaume Brothers Racing and will likely field the #27 Ford. Just so that he will not be going into the 2022 season blind, Loris Hezemans will test the Next Gen car on Monday.
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 18, 2021; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) leads the field during the start of the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Where does Jacques Villeneuve fit into the equation?
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Coming to Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 world champion is Hezemans’ teammate in NASCAR Euro. After the Dutchman has a crack at the new car, the Canadian driver will test the Next Gen car on Tuesday. According to Hezemans, the idea is to gauge how the ex-F1 driver likes and adapts to the car. Once it meets his seal of approval, there is a chance that he could compete in the Cup Series at some point next year.
Jacques Villeneuve does have a slight bit of experience in NASCAR. This is because he has competed in five races over the course of four years. So far, he has only enjoyed a best finish of 21st in the 2007 season at the Talladega Superspeedway. He was a little more successful in the Xfinity Series. To be precise, he has three 3rd place finishes at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on two occasions, and at Road America.
In the 2021 season, though, he has a best finish of fourth in the Whelen Euro Series – EuroNASCAR PRO. That came at the Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic. If the prospect of Villeneuve returning to the Cup Series is true, it will be great for him, as he has unfinished business in the series.
READ MORE: Villeneuve Slams FIA for Breaking Their Own ‘Consequences’ Rule in Hamilton-Verstappen Crash Verdict
