After racing to second place from pole position in his NASCAR debut, Canadian Patrick Carpentier may have driven his way to a full-time Busch Series ride in 2008. Minutes after the end of NAPA Auto Parts 200 at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Saturday, team owner Armando Fitz started making calls to get the native of La Salle, Que., back in the #22 Dodge for this weekend’s Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen in Upper New York State. “We already have a driver committed for Watkins Glen, but if I can put something together for a second car, I’ll put the other driver in that and keep Patrick in the #22,” Fitz said. “I just have to see if I can make it work. Although Carpentier’s chances of racing this weekend will depend on sponsorship, he will definitely be back in the Fitz car when the Busch Series heads to an oval this year, probably at the Phoenix International Raceway in early November. While many things must still be worked out, Fitz would like to see Carpentier driving for him next year, provided he runs well on an oval Carpentier has experience on the Phoenix flat track in both Champ Car and the IRL, which would help give him a leg up in his NASCAR oval debut. The 35-year-old driver gave the Fitz team its first Busch pole position since it began in 2001 and its second top-five finish this season.( The Globe and Mail, Canada)(8-6-2007)
