Patrick Carpentier’s future seems uncertain with GEM. The news of Reed Sorenson coming to Gillette-Evernham beginning in ‘09 may leave the former ChampCar and IRL star on foot.
The spin from GEM is that Sorenson will be in a 4th entry. No word of a potential sponsor or car number has been released.
Carpentier is talking with other teams in the garage at Fontana saying he is a free agent at GEM. His best cup series finish is 14th at Daytona, July 5. He also has a pole at New Hampshire Motor Speeway. He is the first foreign born driver to win a pole in NA$CAR’s top series since 1953.
The recent wave of open wheel stars coming to NA$CAR was triggered by the debut of Juan Pablo Montoya who drives the #42 Dodge for Chip Ganassi. Others who have followed the path have not found the transition an easy one. At the opening of the ‘08 season, Dario Franchitti and Jacques Villenueve made the jump to NA$CAR. Villeneuve was the first to drop out when his planned sponsor package failed to deliver. His team was fielded by Bill Davis Racing. Franchitti also found his Ganassi cup team parked when sponsors did not cover the bills. Dario is still running a limited cup light schedule and has been offered a seat in the Rolex Sports Car Series in a Ganassi team car among other options.
All these drivers are top notch talent. Their credentials are unquestioned. So, why do the sponsors not want to support the teams they drive for? Or, is it just the ‘economic times’ ? The costs to fund a top tier team is estimated to be 25-30 million per season. This is why so many teams are resorting to split sponsorships. Share the costs between two or more ‘major’ sponsors. The #88 Hendrick team is a perfect example. The season is split between Amp Energy drink and the National Guard. The #5 HMS team has a similar split between Kellogg’s and Car Quest. Even the #24 sells off a few races to the Pepsi people.
As mentioned just last week. Texaco is out for next year. That leaves Juan Pablo Montoya and Ganassi with some work to do to fill that gap. The latest word on Target is that they are onboard for ‘09. So, with Reed Soreneson moving on, Chip needs a driver for the #41 and a 18 race sponsor for the #42. Who knows, by the time it gets sorted out, Juan Pablo may be sponsored by Target and the Wrigley’s/Big Red deal may be a part time team.
Stay tuned…..
2 Comments
Carpentier “shouldn’t” have ANY doubts about ‘09, as he’s more than earned his stripes in NASCAR thus far, in my opinion … as have more than a few open-wheelers-turned-Cup drivers who now “don’t know if” … grrrrrrr … while, as talented as he might be, Sorensen? Has NOT. YET. (He needs to get busted down to Cup Light for a year or two, or step it UP, NOW … period.)
But, that’s not the real issue, at this point.
If NASCAR/ISC would STOP the freakin’ “Official Toilet Paper of NASCAR” sponsorships, RACE sponsorships - and even ISC TRACK sponsorships, now??
Maybe teams could get the BEST out on the track(s) again, of which Carpentier could very well BE — if he doesn’t lose a ride, that is. Franchitti & Montoya need to stay, too. (Get RID of Hornish, Jr., already … etc., lol …)
You’ve heard it all from me before, Grump, so I won’t keep beating this decomposing horse … but I swear it — we’re losing more than just “talent” here … we’re losin’ good RACIN’, week by week, and “sponsor” money’s not the only problem.
To me, the responsibility remains with France & Co., as their greed is the root of “this” whole, twisted NASCAR/ISC evil. I’ll save “further evils” for a later post … or a few, as I’ve got more than a few piss-me-offs comin’, grin …
UH-oh … lol
Oddly, Hornish jr. seems to be the safest of the open wheel group. There are rumors that David Stremme will get the job at Penske. Then the games begin; Move Hornish jr. to the 12 car and put Stremme in the #77 for the ‘09 season.
If Penske does this, Hornish jr. will again enjoy a free ride in owner points during the first 5 races. He will also be eligible for the BUD SHOOTOUT since the revamped rules allow the top 6 teams in CAR OWNER POINTS from each manufacturer.
Post a Comment