CORNELIUS, N.C. - Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier will race the No. 00 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal on Aug. 29.
The Joliette (Quebec) native won the pole for this race in 2007, finished second in 2007 and 2008, and looked to be the fastest car on the track in 2009 before mechanical failure resulted in a 38th-place finish.
“Every race car driver wants to do well, but when you race in front of all your friends and family in your hometown it becomes something extra special,” said the 38-year-old Carpentier who has led 14 laps on the 2.71-mile road course. “We’ve been so close in Montreal and last year I thought we were going to have a shot at the win. NAPA and Michael Waltrip Racing gave me a great car last year and I expect to contend for the victory again this year. Winning in Montreal would definitely be a highlight in my career.”
Carpentier owns 13 Nationwide and 33 Sprint Cup starts after winning five races in CART in a stellar open wheel career.
“Patrick was our first choice, and we are undoubtedly very happy with this agreement. Not only is he from the region but his name is synonymous with talent, perseverance and sportsmanship wherever he performs,” said Robert Hattem, president and COO of UAP Inc. “It was a natural fit for us to offer Patrick the wheel for this event and allow the public to witness his unique know-how.”
MWR fields fulltime NASCAR Sprint Cup teams for Truex and David Reutimann as well as a K&N Pro Series entry for Ryan Truex. MWR along with Gary and Blake Bechtel co-own Diamond-Waltrip Racing that fields a fulltime Nationwide entry for Trevor Bayne who will also race in Montreal.
NAPA Auto Parts, a subsidiary of UAP Inc., a Canadian leader in the distribution, merchandising and remanufacturing of automotive parts and replacement accessories for cars, trucks and heavy vehicles. Over the years, UAP has earned a reputation for product excellence, unsurpassed customer service, support and dynamic growth in all of its markets – a dynamism prompting profitable expansion from the very beginning in 1926 when the company was established as United Auto Parts Limited. Today, the company has more than 4,000 employees. UAP Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (GPC).
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