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No. 10 Sears Auto Center/Valvoline Allstate 400 at Brickyard Preview

Tuesday July 22, 2008

 

Off weekends in NASCAR’s grueling 37 race schedule are fairly short lived. This week Quebec-native, Patrick Carpentier has spent his time off relaxing in Montreal with family and friends.

“It’s been a fun week,” Carpentier said. “We’ve been staying in Montreal with some family and just enjoying having some down time. I’ve been testing so much through the past few months it’s nice to have some time to catch my breath a little, see some friends and just relax. Any chance I get to spend with my wife and children I’m going to take it.”

Carpentier and the Sears Auto Center/Valvoline crew have enjoyed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors at both Daytona and Chicagoland. They’re looking to earn top rookie honors again at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

TV and Radio Times: Qualifying is set for Saturday at 10:10 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 and PRN Radio. Race time on Sunday is 2 p.m. (ET) on ESPN and PRN Radio.

DRIVER PATRICK CARPENTIER QUOTES:

“It’s been a fun week. We’ve been staying in Montreal with some family and just enjoying having some down time. I’ve been testing so much through the past few months it’s nice to have some time to catch my breath a little, see some friends and just relax. Any chance I get to spend with my wife and children I’m going to take it.

“Indianapolis Motor Speedway is unlike any place you’ll ever race. There is so much history there. NASCAR has only been there for a few years but they’ve already made some pretty cool memories. It seems like one of those places that is legendary. It’s amazing to think of some of the names that have raced on those bricks. I’m very excited to get our Sears Auto Center/Valvoline Dodge out on the track. I’ve raced there before in open wheel but never in a stock car.

“Our No. 10 team has been making gains. We didn’t have the kind of run we expected at Chicago but we’re looking to improve that at Indy. The guys have been working really hard and we’ll keep focused on making the races, like we do every week and then jump over to our race setup. I’ll be honest with you, it’s still a bit of a challenge making these races. The competition is very tight. And we’re still going through some growing pains. But like I said before, all the pieces are here at Gillett Evernham Motorsports for this team to succeed, it’s just up to us to put it all together.”

For a behind the scenes look at Patrick Carpentier visit http://www.patcarpentier.ca/

NOTES
Chassis
Carpentier will be driving chassis No. 256. Backup is No. 218.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
This will be another new track for Carpentier in a stock car.

2008 Season
· The conclusion of the Chicagoland race marked the second consecutive week Carpentier earned Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors.
· The NASCAR rookie’s career best finish of 14th came at Daytona.
· Carpentier earned his first career Cup pole at Loudon.
· It was the first time a rookie has ever earned a pole in the Cup Series at Loudon.
· He is ranked third in rookie standings, 20 points out of the lead
· Carpentier gained 19 places at Michigan. After starting 43rd and finishing 24th he was awarded the “Improving the Finish” award. It’s given to the driver who best improves their finish from the green flag to the checkered flag.
· Darrell Waltrip, Larry Mac and Mike Joy gave Carpentier an “A” in his 2008 Fox Sports report card for his superb qualifying efforts.
· Carpentier started 4th at Richmond – his second best start of the season.
· The Quebec-native led four laps at Darlington. His first laps led of 2008.
· It was the first time a rookie has led at Darlington since 2004.
· Carpentier has started every race that he has had a chance to qualify for, excluding only the Daytona 500.

History
Carpentier began his career with Gillett Evernham Motorsports at Watkins Glen last season.
Carpentier’s accomplishments outside of NASCAR include two Champ Car World Series wins, three CART victories and a Toyota Atlantic Championship.

Gillett Evernham Motorsports
Ray Evernham served as Jeff Gordon’s crew chief from 1992-’99 winning 47 races and three Cup championships.
Evernham founded Evernham Motorsports in 2000 and began first full season of competition in 2001 serving as the cornerstone of Dodge’s return to NASCAR.
George Gillett Jr. became co-owner with Evernham in October 2007. Gillett also owns the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL and the Liverpool soccer team in the English Premier League.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports campaigns Kasey Kahne in the No. 9, Patrick Carpentier in the No. 10, and Elliott Sadler in the No. 19 in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition.
The organization also fields the No. 9 in NASCAR Nationwide Series races with its Sprint Cup drivers plus rookie Chase Miller.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports owns 15 victories and 27 poles.

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This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Kim DeHaven.

 

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