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Patrick Carpentier Wins Nascar Pole in New Hampshire |
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Thursday, 03 July 2008 |
By Kenneth Wells
Express Publisher
LOUDON— He’s young, good looking and has that quality personality that fans and friends alike can root for. For Joliette, Qué. native Patrick Carpentier a big step towards respectability in his chosen profession was taken. He emerged as the NASCAR Pole sitter in the Lennox Industrial Equipment 301 race this past weekend.
The veteran Indy race driver and Quebec native Patrick Carpentier made
his mark last weekend during the NASCAR Lennox Industrial toll 301 in
Loudon, New Hampshire.
The 37 year old turned the mile oval in 29.349 seconds and called it
his,"biggest" accomplishment in a career dating back more than a
decade. Carpentier said, "Its amazing." There is going to be busloads
of people down here, and that’s what the objective is, to grow the fan
base of NASCAR here and bring more people in. A lot of people in Canada
are starting to be fans.”
Patrick is smiling, and genuinely appreciative of his feat which could
make him the perfect Canadian ambassador for the sport. He continued,"
I am really happy, and hopefully this will help me stick around for a
few years.”
A one and a half hour rain delay halted things at the oval after 24
drivers had completed the circuit. Ten of the top 11 spots were won
after the delay. Carpentier won the pole during his 17th NASCAR
attempt.
He came into the meeting in 37th place and was just hoping to make the
field. He never expected to get the top spot. "It’s amazing." The car
was great. We made a couple of changes this morning in practice. The
car just rotated beautifully through the middle of the corner. Our
Dodge stuck to the track. I was hoping it was going to rain to make
sure we were in the field, but, it didn’t, and here we were on the
pole, so its pretty good.”
Patrick Carpentier, who makes his home in Las Vegas now is a likable
person and his story is somewhat a Cinderella version. He is easy to
pull, for less than two years ago he came to Loudon during the Sylvania
300 weekend to basically introduce himself to potential sponsors.
It worked . His self promotion helped him land backing for the
Nationwide Series event in Montreal a year later, and he capitalized on
that opportunity by taking the pole in front of an adoring Montreal
crowd. That performance propelled him further into the limelight and
caught the attention of Ray Everham and George Gillette, who offered
him the number 10 Dodge ride, and now it’s a seat he may not give up
for a while.
Since that time he has taken advice from NASCAR'S kings, Tony Stewart
and Mark Martin. They talk to Patrick about restarts, and how to handle
traffic and other inside information. And, because, at 37 in the
standing and a similar finish Sunday in Loudon despite starting on the
pole, he needs points more than anything.
Carpentier has never finished higher than 23rd, but, if he can ever
hang close enough and long enough to capture the checkers, there may
well be a new national holiday up north.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 July 2008 )
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o the North Country Falcon Hockey Teams, I really enjoy watching the teams play and wish them all the bestsuccess this season!!!!! - Tom Howell
We are sending out well wishes to the NC Girls Varsity
Basketball Team. Good Luck for your game on Wednesday Night. GO FALCONS - Todd & Cindy Willis
Congrats to NC Varsity Softball for placing 6th in
playoffs!! Good Luck against Mt Anthony!! GO LADY FALCONS!! - Tamara Hudson I want to wish the Falcon Football Team good luck in their
first game against Montpelier. Bubba Collins should be a shining example of what
hard work will accomplish. Go Bubba from your friend in Florida - Dale Meehan
To the NC boys basketball team. I live in Bennington, and I want to credit your team and the fans that made the trip to Bennington and back in difficult road conditions, for a difficult season ending game. To the seniors on this team, I wish you well in the years ahead. - Jay JazzCheers and well wishes:
CONGRATULATIONS to all the NORTHEAST KINGDOM'S seniors,
NCU,LRU, UCA, and CA. Good Luck in all you do! Go out and makea difference
in this world. Coach Rick Bruce
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