Michel Jourdain, Jr.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
As of 2007 Jourdain races in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for SEAT Sport. Later in the year he was signed to drive in the A1GP series for A1 Team Mexico, returning to open-wheel racing for the first time since his Champ Car days.
Contents |
[edit] Motorsports Career Results
| Season | Series | Team | Races | wins | Poles | Fast laps | Points | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | A1 Grand Prix | A1 Team Mexico | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16th (1) |
- (1) = Team standings.
[edit] American Open-Wheel
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest race lap)
[edit] Champ Car
Years 1996-2003 to be completed
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | RuSPORT |  LBH 11 |
 MTY 11 |
MIL 3 |
POR 14 |
CLE Ret |
 TOR Ret |
VAN 2 |
ROA 9 |
DEN 14 |
MTL 6 |
LS 4 |
LVS 11 |
 SRF Ret |
MXC 9 |
12th | 185 |
[edit] External links
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| Sprint Cup drivers | David Ragan (#6) | Greg Biffle (#16) | Matt Kenseth (#17) | Jamie McMurray (#26) | Carl Edwards (#99) |
| Craftsman Truck Series drivers | Travis Kvapil/Bobby East/Jon Wes Townley (#09) | Colin Braun (#6) | Erik Darnell (#99) |
| Development drivers | Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. |
| Partnerships and affiliations | Baker Curb Racing | Circle Bar Racing | JTG Racing | No Fear Racing | Wood Brothers Racing | Yates Racing |
| Other | Jack Roush | John W. Henry | Fenway Sports Group | Robbie Reiser | Sam Belnavis | Mark Martin | Roush Racing: Driver X |
| Ford in NASCAR | |
| Sprint Cup Series teams | JTG Racing | Roush Fenway Racing | Wood Brothers Racing | Yates Racing |
| Nationwide Series teams | Baker Curb Racing | JTG Racing | Roush Fenway Racing | Specialty Racing | Team Rensi Motorsports |
| Craftsman Truck Series teams | Circle Bar Racing | MB Motorsports | Roush Fenway Racing | Wood Brothers Racing |
| Driver development program participants | Bobby East | Alison MacLeod | Stephanie Mockler |
