September 2, 1976
Michel Jourdain Jr
(Photo: www.autosport.com)
Born in Mexico City, Mexico.
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 and the CART 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 finishes.
During the 2003 Baja 1000 Jourdain and his father, Michel Jourdain, Sr., raced a SCORE Baja Challenge class vehicle finishing 6th in their class with a time of 31:01.31.
Jourdain was supported by Mexican sponsors throughout his years in Champ Car. After losing his sponsorship following the 2004 season, Jourdain looked to the NASCAR Busch Series. Jourdain made 18 starts driving the number 10 ppc Racing Ford in 2005.
Born in Mexico City, Mexico.
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 and the CART 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 finishes.
During the 2003 Baja 1000 Jourdain and his father, Michel Jourdain, Sr., raced a SCORE Baja Challenge class vehicle finishing 6th in their class with a time of 31:01.31.
Jourdain was supported by Mexican sponsors throughout his years in Champ Car. After losing his sponsorship following the 2004 season, Jourdain looked to the NASCAR Busch Series. Jourdain made 18 starts driving the number 10 ppc Racing Ford in 2005.
(Photo credit: reflexer via photopin cc)
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.
In 2007 Jourdain competed in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for SEAT Sport. A troubled season saw him finish the year down in 18th place on points. 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.
In 2010, he returned to NASCAR for the Nationwide Series race at Road America when he practiced the #98 for Paul Menard since he was away racing at Infineon. Jourdain also competed in the P-WRC class of the 2010 Rally Mexico where he finished 7th in class.
In October 2010 Michel and his co-driver Miguel Ángel Diez got the second overall in La Carrera Panamericana in a 1953 Studebaker, just 12.9 seconds behind from Harri Rovanperä.
The 2010 and 2011 World Rally season's saw him start eight rallies with a best finish of 14th in the 2011 Rally México.
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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.
In 2007 Jourdain competed in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for SEAT Sport. A troubled season saw him finish the year down in 18th place on points. 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.
In 2010, he returned to NASCAR for the Nationwide Series race at Road America when he practiced the #98 for Paul Menard since he was away racing at Infineon. Jourdain also competed in the P-WRC class of the 2010 Rally Mexico where he finished 7th in class.
In October 2010 Michel and his co-driver Miguel Ángel Diez got the second overall in La Carrera Panamericana in a 1953 Studebaker, just 12.9 seconds behind from Harri Rovanperä.
The 2010 and 2011 World Rally season's saw him start eight rallies with a best finish of 14th in the 2011 Rally México.
This Day In Motorsport History - Home Page
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