Patrick Carpentier becomes free agent as GEM forfeits right of refusal
Patrick Carpentier is officially a free agent as the driver says that Gillett Evernham Motorsports has told him it does not have a sponsor for him for next season.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie had been free to talk to other teams, but GEM had first right of refusal until Tuesday. GEM could still find a sponsor for Carpentier, but the former open-wheel driver believes that likely will not happen.
GEM already has three drivers under contract for next year – current drivers Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler as well as Chip Ganassi Racing’s Reed Sorenson.
“It sure is sad that we don’t keep going,” Carpentier said in a phone interview with NASCAR Scene from his home in Las Vegas Tuesday. “I think we did pretty good with the No. 10. … I’m disappointed, but it’s OK. I’m going to enjoy the rest of the year and just have fun with it and see if we can find anything else.”
Carpentier is 36th in points and has competed in 22 of the 27 Cup events. He has failed to qualify for two events, missed two others when qualifying was rained out and skipped one event to concentrate on the Nationwide Series race in his native Montreal.
“We’re talking to a couple of teams, and some of them seem to have a good interest,” Carpentier said. “Hopefully we do [find something], but you never know in racing.”
Carpentier's Gillett Evernham team currently is 196 points outside of the top 35 in owners points, but Carpentier said he would like to get that car back in the top 35 in points.
“I’m still learning a lot,” Carpentier said. “I have one year on the technical side of it. That’s where the other guys get you during the race – during the pit stops, how the car is going to go and if the weather changes, what’s going to happen.
“What do you change to make it less tight or tighter? That’s been the hardest part, keeping up with the guys during the race.”
Carpentier’s business partner, Robert Desrosiers, said he was optimistic that Carpentier could find a ride with another team.
“There are still some good rides [that] are available,” Desrosiers said. “We’re talking to all these guys. … Now that Patrick is free, I believe one of these teams will be interested in sitting down with us.”
Desrosiers also said there was no bitterness toward GEM.
“We’re not sour; we’re not bitter – just disappointed,” Desrosiers said. “We’ll just have to deal with it like adults and move forward.”
