RICHMOND, Va – After a long five-year sabbatical from NASCAR competition, Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier will return in two upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
Announced today in his home country of Canada, Carpentier will drive in the upcoming races at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway (Jun. 26) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Jul. 24) . He will be aboard Archie St. Hilarie’s No. 32 Ford Fusion sponsored by Can-Am, which joined the team this season as a major primary sponsor and backing Carpentier’s return.
Can-Am, a member of the BRP family and the leader in ATV & Side by Side vehicles, is in the first of a multi-year relationship with GO FAS Racing. Can-Am’s colors are being featured in a primary role for 11 races, while serving as an associate for the remaining 25 races. Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Jeffrey Earnhardt has driven four races this season with Can-Am sponsorship. With the addition of Carpentier, Can-Am has increased it’s primary sponsorship role to 13 races overall.
It’s fitting for Can-Am, who also backed the Daytona 500 duel races at Daytona in February to partner with a Canadian. With the company headquartered in Valcourt, Canada, the publicity from a Canadian driver ultimately will bring additional exposure for not only the team, but the driver and sponsor too.
“Even if I say that I’m retired, I could not miss the opportunity to drive in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, especially on circuits as interesting as those of Sonoma and Indianapolis,” said Carpentier. “I’m really happy to wear the colors of Can-Am, Kappa, and Cyclops Gear because I love to use their products.”
CARPENTIER NASCAR SPRINT CUP QUICK FACTS:
- In a five-year span in Sprint Cup, the 44-year-old has 40 Cup Series starts with a best finish of 11th at Sonoma in a Toyota fielded by the now defunct Michael Waltrip Racing in 2009.
- Carpentier earned his first Cup pole in his 17th series start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway driving for Gillett Evernham Motorsports and finished 31st.
- The LaSalle, Quebec native has just one NASCAR start in Indianapolis during the 2008 season.
- Carpentier ran his last Cup race in 2011 ironically driving the No. 32 for car owner Frank Stoddard at Kansas Speedway, and finished 30th after starting 40th.
Before turning his concentration to stock cars, Carpentier had a successful career in open wheels, particularly the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series, where he earned five wins and 24 podium finishes. He matched his best championship finish of third, twice in 2002 and 2004.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
