| abstract | - Michel Jourdain Jr. (born September 2, 1976, Mexico City, Mexico) is the son of Michel Jourdain. 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. 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. 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 the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez race in the #15 in 2006 for Jill Burgdoff.
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