Sponsors Unhappy With Jacques Villeneuve’s Actions At Sargento 200

Nationwide driver Jacques Villeneuve didn’t have a great race at the Sargento 200 last Saturday at Road America.

Villenueve made contact with Elliot Sadler and spun Danica Patrick during the four mile race, and afterward, he was unapologetic about his actions.

Villenueve said:

“We had nothing to do together. When I was behind Danica and Papis was on the outside, maybe he didn’t know I was there, but down the straight he pushed me in the grass just where we hit he brakes. So when I jumped in the brakes I was in the grass because of that, I wasn’t right next to him so no idea. Couldn’t slow down after that.”

Penske Racing and Discount Tire agreed that the contact was just part of professional racing, but said that they were disappointed with how Villenueve handled the situation.

Villenueve’s sponsors released a statement, saying:

“Together Penske and Discount Tire have achieved great success in the Nationwide Series, including a championship (in 2010) and have maintained the highest levels of integrity and sportsmanship throughout that relationship. Although we believe the contact between Villeneuve and Patrick to be unfortunate, it is a part of professional racing. However, Villeneuve’s postrace comments did not reflect our ideals regarding sportsmanship.”

CBS reports that Danica Patrick was likely on her way to her best finish when she was bumped by Villeneuve, causing her to spin out of control. Patrick’s crew chief Tony Eury Jr. confronted Villeneuve after the incident but the driver of the No. 22 Dodge insisted that he did nothing wrong.

Here’s the video of the incident.