Carpentier to sub for Riggs in No. 10 at Watkins Glen

STATESVILLE, N.C. -- In an effort to move closer to securing a top-35 position in owner's points, Valvoline Evernham Racing has reached a one-race agreement with Patrick Carpentier to drive the No. 10 Dodge in Sunday's Nextel Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International.

Carpentier recently made his first NASCAR start in the Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The road-course veteran proved to be a quick learner as he won the pole for the event, led 14 laps and finished an impressive second.

"We look forward to having Patrick Carpentier behind the wheel of the No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge this weekend at Watkins Glen," said Jim Rocco, team owner of Valvoline Evernham Racing. "Carpentier turned a lot of heads with his strong run in Montreal last weekend.

Carpentier has competed in CART, IRL, CASCAR and Grand-Am series with much success. Now just one week after his Busch Series debut, Carpentier will look to make his Nextel Cup debut in the No. 10 Dodge. Valvoline Evernham Racing currently sits in 37th position in Nextel Cup owners points, 134 points out of the crucial top 35 cutoff, therefore Carpentier is not guaranteed a starting spot.

"This Valvoline Evernham Racing team is focused on doing everything we can to make races, and we have made 12 so far while outside the top 35," Rocco said. "As part of those efforts, we believe that Patrick can place Valvoline Evernham Racing in a good position leaving Watkins Glen in order to help Scott Riggs make a run to the top 35 in points by the end of the season."