While it appears Patrick Carpentier is close to signing with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, it looks like the next step for the Canadian driver is a test session with the NASCAR team. Carpentier’s business partner, Robert Desrosiers, said Wednesday that he has had regular talks with the team over the last few weeks. “We don’t have any contract signed with them, we don’t have any schedule for which race he will do,” Desrosiers said. “The only thing that I know for sure is that Patrick will be testing in the very near future.” Desrosiers said the test session will likely be on an oval in Kentucky, possibly as early as next week. “I believe that after the tests, I think all of the cards are going to fall in place and we’ll have more of a definite schedule on what Patrick’s going to do this season,” he said. “There are still quite a few races left in Busch and Nextel Cup and it’s going to be up to Mr. Evernham and Mr. Gillett to see where they want to put Patrick.” There was no immediate word on which car Carpentier might drive, but the former Champ Car and IRL driver should be comfortable testing on an oval with his open-wheel experience.(Canadian Press)(9-7-2007) UPDATE: George Gillett, majority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, said Canadian racer Patrick Carpentier will drive a Cup car for them during the Chase this season and probably will race full time in Cup for GEM next year. “I think there’s a very good chance of that,” Gillett told CKAC radio in Montreal. “Patrick is a fine young man and a great driver. He will be in some car for us at some of the races, if not all races, the rest of the season.” Gillett also said the team plans to add a fourth car for some races the rest of this year. GEM has three drivers — Kasey Kahne in the #9 Dodge, Elliott Sadler in the #19 and Scott Riggs in the #10 car. But Riggs’ status for 2008 is uncertain, so Carpentier could replace him in 2008. “Patrick will be testing our car at Kentucky Speedway,” Gillett said. “If he drives as well on the ovals as we think he will, I think there will be a place for him.”(ESPN.com)(9-8-2007)
