Talk about your new opportunity at Michael Waltrip Racing.
“I’m really happy about this new opportunity. We had a really good time in Sonoma once we got accustomed to each other. Friday was tough for us, but Saturday and Sunday was really great for me and the NAPA team. I am really looking forward to driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota for Michael at Watkins Glen. It is a track I really like to drive.”

You tested with the NAPA team at Virginia International Raceway on July 22nd. What were you able to get accomplished?
“I feel like we will be even better at Watkins Glen after I had a chance to test with Michael’s team. I believe we made a lot of improvements. We tested a couple of cars with different set ups and things so we have a good idea of what we need to have. Obviously, it is always good to have a chance to test before a race. I believe I have a really good car for Watkins Glen.”

What is the key to running well at Watkins Glen?
“I think it’s all about the momentum of the race. It is a little different than Sonoma because Sonoma is a lot more technical in my opinion. With the double-file restarts, it is going to be tough. What I experienced at Sonoma, that new element was really tough. It was tough to stay on the track during restart after restart so we’ll just see how it goes. I think the restarts are going to make it really interesting.”

NAPA RACING PRESS BOX FEATURING PATRICK CARPENTIER

What was your reason for putting Patrick Carpentier back in your car for Watkins Glen?
“Patrick is being rewarded for perserverence. At Sonoma, he drove for me and started out with a car he wasn’t happy with. He worked with my crew chief Bootie (Barker) and my NAPA boys to get an 11th-place finish. We also had a little deal on the side. If he was able to finish solidly at Infineon Raceway and he deemed the experience of working with my team as fun and wanted to do again, then he and I would ask NAPA to allow him to drive again. We all agreed so Patrick will drive the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota for NAPA and me at Watkins Glen.”

Patrick Carpentier Fast Facts

• Patrick Carpentier will be driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota. He will be competing in his 33rd NASCAR
  Sprint Cup Series race when the 22nd event of the 2009 Sprint Cup season, the Heluva Good! Sour Cream
  Dips, gets underway at Watkins Glen International, in Watkins Glen, NY.

• Carpentier has competed in two NASCAR Sprint Cup events at Watkins Glen. Last year, he lined up 39th since rain canceled qualifying and was set by the rulebook. He went on to score his best finish of 20th. He has completed 180 of 180 laps (100%) at the 2.45-mile road course.

• His NASCAR Nationwide Series career statistics at road courses are impressive with five starts. He has
  earned one pole (2007 Montreal), three top-five (second – 2007 Montreal, fifth – 2008 Mexico City and second – 2008 Montreal) and five top-20 finishes (19th – 2007 Watkins Glen, 22nd – 2008 Watkins Glen).

• Entering this week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry is 31st in the
  owner standings. The team is just 173 points out of the top 25

 

NAPA AUTO PARTS Driver Patrick Carpentier Sprint Cup Statistics – Watkins Glen 2008

DATE	START	FINISH	LAPS	STATUS	WINNINGS
2008	39	20	90	Running	67,600
2007	40	22	90	Running	72,850

2009 NAPA AUTO PARTS PIT CREW

Ryan Langley	Front Tire Changer
Chris Hall	Front Tire Carrier
Tony Cardamone	Jack Man
Mike Ellershaw	Rear Tire Changer
Eric Wakeland	Rear Tire Carrier
Art Harris	Gasman
Shawn Soules	Catch Can
Ron Otto	Eighth Man
Terry Spaulding	Hose and Sign
Craig Harper	Gas Runner
Mark Maloney	Second Gas Can