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The two had been friends since the early 1980s and Pollock, who lives in Monaco, has been Villeneuve’s manager since 1992, when the son of former F1 star Gilles Villeneuve was beginning his racing career.

Villeneuve, the 1998 Formula One champion, who now drives for Bill Davis Racing, ran in seven NASCAR Craftsman trucks events and made his Sprint Cup debut last fall at Talledega, finishing 21st.

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More personnel hires followed and, in an even bigger move to get back into the mainstream, the Petty team has left its home of 60 years in Level Cross, N.C., moving 60 miles to the hub of NASCAR racing in this Charlotte suburb.

The heart-wrenching move was completed two weeks ago and the members of the Sprint Media Tour were met with plenty of optimism Wednesday at the team’s new shop.

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“My life is still the same, but I enjoy very much the recognition of the public, the fans,” he said. “If you asked me, ‘Aren’t you tired of that?’ No, I’m actually surprised people are still recognizing me. When you go places, people are looking like, ‘Hey, the “Dancing with the Stars” (guy).’

“I really wish people now take that opportunity from the show, the people who knew nothing about racing, and start watching.

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“I was driving over here tonight and talking to my brother (Marino),” Franchitti said. “He said, ‘Winning Indy will finally set in tonight when you see your ugly face on the trophy.’ I think he’s right. But, to me, it looks pretty good. It was a huge team effort and I’m grateful to have won the race.”

Later in the evening, Franchitti also was given the Jerry Titus Award, which goes annually to the driver on the AARWBA All American team who gets the most votes from the membership.

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