Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Patrick Carpentier to Drive No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota in Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway


Cornelius, N.C. – Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced today that Patrick Carpentier will drive the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry in the upcoming Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.

“There are so many great road course racers competing in Sonoma this year, and as the owner and driver of the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota, I am in a unique position,” said Waltrip who has two top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in his NASCAR Sprint Cup road racing career. “If I see where I can improve my car’s performance then that’s exactly what I am going to do. I am a good road racer, but Patrick is a great road racer.

“I love being an owner and I want to get another win for NAPA. It will feel just as good if I get the victory for NAPA or watching from the pit box with Patrick driving the car. I appreciate NAPA allowing me to make these kind of personnel moves when I feel it is best for the team.”

Carpentier, who has 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and 12 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts to his credit is also driving for MWR and sponsor NAPA in the upcoming NASCAR Nationwide Series event, the NAPA AUTO PARTS 200, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on Aug. 30. He’ll be behind the wheel of the No. 99 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota with veteran crew chief Jerry Baxter calling the shots.

Road-course racing suits the Canadian just fine as he has one pole and two runner-up finishes at Montreal, a top-five finish at Mexico City and five top-10 finishes in Nationwide Series competition. He also has scored three top-25 finishes at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series road-course events. Last season, he crossed the finish line in 23rd position at Infineon Raceway while driving for Gillett Evernham Motorsports. He is now ready to post a strong finish in the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was approached with this opportunity. I am honored,” said Carpentier. “For me to work with a guy like Michael Waltrip, who is a legend in NASCAR, is an amazing opportunity. I really like driving these cars on the road courses. We will work hard and get some good things going at Infineon Raceway. It’s my goal to get a good finish and plenty of points for the NAPA AUTO PARTS team.”

Currently the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota is ranked 32nd in the owner and driver championship standings – less than 100 points out of the top 25. Last month, Waltrip saw his No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine team with driver David Reutimann earn Michael Waltrip Racing its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in just its third season of competition.

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