Driver

The Canadian made a major mark in American open wheel racing in the 1990s, following up IndyCar Rookie of the Year honors in 1994 with victory at the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and the 1995 IndyCar series title. The son of the late Formula 1 star Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques, grabbed attention with a stellar 1993 campaign in the North American Toyota Atlantic Series. Villeneuve scored seven poles and five victories in the 15-race season. The following year he graduated to IndyCar competition, where he impressed by winning a race and finishing second at the Indianapolis 500. The following year he secured six poles and won four races, including the 1995 Indy 500, on his way to the series title. He was then drafted into the Williams Formula 1 team, which he rewarded by finishing runner-up in his debut season and becoming World Champion in his second. Since 2007, Villeneuve has competed in various NASCAR events, with occasional poles and podiums. As of 2022, he remained the only Canadian to have won the Indianapolis 500.