Signing Carpentier only to let him go makes no sense

FONTANA, Calif. -- Patrick Carpentier considers himself to be a fairly fashionable guy, but being the focus of a fad is less than ideal because it means one day you'll be out of style.

Irrelevant and off the front page, Carpentier has become a victim of NASCAR team owners' fad obsession with open-wheel drivers and their perceived appeal and sponsorship potential.

At the end of 2007, team owners were scooping up open-wheelers like kids on Cabbage Patch dolls in the 1980s; Dario Franchitti, Jacques Villeneuve, Sam Hornish Jr. were all making the conversion, bringing with them questionable talent but an appetite for NASCAR's limelight and high-dollar salaries.

Of the many former open-wheelers to debut in NASCAR's premier series this season, Carpentier and Hornish Jr. are the only drivers left to carry the open-wheel torch and Carpentier's flame is about to go out.

It was announced this week that former Chip Ganassi Racing driver Reed Sorenson will join Gillett Evernham Racing next season with all indications that Sorenson will replace Carpentier.

Carpentier, known for his personable and optimistic attitude, said he's not upset.

"For sure, it's a shock to learn someone else is taking your spot. But they are still working to get a fourth car out there," said Carpentier, who qualified fifth for Sunday's Pepsi 500; the third time this season the NASCAR rookie has started inside the top-five. "A lot of teams want to go to four cars, and this is one of them. Hopefully it works out. I've enjoyed the year so much. I hope to do it for many years. If I don't, then I understand."

But it's a sponsor dependent sport, the driver added, and said co-owner George Gillett Jr. has been forced to fund some of his racing efforts from his own pocket.

"I'm not pissed off. I kind of expected it," Carpentier said. "I still hope they find [sponsorship]. They really want to find it. With the economy and the way things are, Reed just fits the bill better. That's fine too."

Youth and the ability to be shaped may be on Sorenson's side but performance isn't. In three years in the Sprint Cup Series he's not won a single race.

Carpentier took over the No. 10 Dodge at Gillett Evernham full time at the start of the 2008 season, replacing Scott Riggs, who finished the year 36th in points. Transitioning from the open-wheel ranks and forced to qualify on time for races, Carpentier is 37th in points despite missing a handful of races. He has one pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and a career-best finish of 14th at Daytona International Speedway. More than that, in just 10 starts in NASCAR's Nationwide Series, he has one pole, three top-fives and five top-10s. (Continued)