Michel Jourdain, Jr.
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Michel Jourdain Jr. (born September 2, 1976, Mexico City, Mexico) is a NASCAR driver. Jourdain Jr. started racing cars in the Mexican Formula Junior series at the age of 12. He then moved to the Mexican Formula K and Formula 2 series.
In 1996, Jourdain ran several races in the Indy Racing League (IRL) and the CART (now Champ Car) series, including the Indy 500. At the age of 19, he became one of the youngest drivers to race in both Champ Car and the Indy 500. Jourdain raced full time in Champ Car from 1997-2004. In his early years, he was largely considered a back marker; however, after joining the Rahal team in 2002, he became a championship contender. Jourdain ended his Champ Car career in 2004 with 1 pole, 2 wins, and 9 podium (top three) finishes.
Jourdain was supported by Mexican sponsors throughout his years in Champ Car. In fact, many believed that Jourdain would not have been able to retain a ride, or even enter the Champ Car series if not for sponsorship money[citation needed]. After losing his sponsorship following the 2004 season, Jourdain looked to the NASCAR Busch Series. At the time, NASCAR was trying to expand its fan base among Mexicans and Hispanic Americans. Many consider this the main reason Jourdain was able to ink a deal with a NASCAR team[citation needed].
Jourdain made 18 starts driving the number 10 ppc Racing Ford in 2005. He was able to notch one top ten finish, however in July ppc Racing announced that the team could not continue with a full season due to insufficient sponsorship. He ran two races later in the season for Keith Barnwell. Michel drove in his home race in Mexico City at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as well as two more races in the #15 in 2006 for Jill Burgdoff as well as 7 Craftsman Truck Series races in the Roush Racing #50 truck.
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| Roush Fenway Racing | |
| Nextel Cup drivers | David Ragan (#6) | Greg Biffle (#16) | Matt Kenseth (#17) | Jamie McMurray (#26) | Carl Edwards (#99) |
| Busch Series drivers | Todd Kluever (#16) | Mark Martin (#06) | Danny O'Quinn, Jr. (#50) |
| Craftsman Truck Series drivers | Travis Kvapil (#6) | Peter Shepherd (#50) | Erik Darnell (#99) |
| Partnerships and affiliations | Robert Yates Racing | No Fear Racing | Tim Brown Racing |
| Other | Jack Roush | Robbie Reiser | John W. Henry | Roush Racing: Driver X | Fenway Sports Group |
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Categories: Articles with unsourced statements since February 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | 1976 births | Indy 500 drivers | Indy Racing League drivers | Living people | Mexican racecar drivers | NASCAR drivers | Champ Car drivers | World Touring Car Championship drivers | People from Mexico City | Belgian-Mexicans | NASCAR stubs
