tool name
closeOpen-wheel stars aren't shining so brightly now
Hornish Jr., Carpentier have put together strong runs, while Franchitti has struggled, seen Cup team fold
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Saturday, Aug. 09, 2008
Sam Hornish Jr. during practice for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. File/US PRESSWIRE
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - It was hailed as an "open-wheel invasion."
The arrival of four highly distinguished drivers from the open-wheel ranks in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series was one of the main storylines heading into the season-opening Daytona 500.
Down to the final third of the season, however, the former open-wheel stars have not fared well. And of the three rookies still competing fairly regularly - Sam Hornish Jr., Patrick Carpentier and Dario Franchitti - Hornish is the only one who appears certain to return next season.
Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve left the series and Bill Davis Racing shortly after failing to make the field for the Daytona 500.
Franchitti, last season's Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar Series champion, lost his Cup ride when Chip Ganassi Racing could not find a full-time sponsor to fund it. Franchitti still does some Nationwide Series races for Ganassi - he won the pole for Saturday's Nationwide race at Watkins Glen and finished fifth - but does not have a Cup ride for 2009.
Hornish, a former IndyCar champion, and Carpentier, who has won in IndyCar and the former ChampCar series, so far have been able to work through difficult seasons in NASCAR and at times put together strong runs.
"There are three things that I like. Formula Atlantic was fun. Grand Am was great to drive. But NASCAR is the most fun I've ever had racing," said Carpentier, who drives the No. 10 Dodge for Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
"I'm enjoying myself more then I ever had in the past in racing. I just appreciate the moment. We race in front of crowds that are unbelievable. To be able to be a part of the Sprint Cup series, I feel like a pretty fortunate guy."
Entering Sunday's Centurion Boats at the Glen at Watkins Glen International, Hornish has qualified for every Cup race this season. His best finish was 13th at Charlotte in May. He also has a pair of seventh-place starts.
Carpentier has run just 17 of the 21 races so far, but has had some better performances than Hornish, particularly in qualifying. Carpentier won the pole at the June race at New Hampshire and has three top-10 starts. His career-high finish of 14th came at Daytona in July.
The native of Quebec, Canada, still awaits word from GEM as to whether he will return to the organization next season. His problem is much like Franchitti's - a lack of sponsorship.
"Racing always depends on sponsorship. I think that I'm going to be at (GEM), but it's racing and things happen pretty quickly," Carpentier said.
Carpentier has fought tough odds this season. Unlike Hornish - whose team had car owner points to ensure his appearance in the season's first five races - Carpentier has had to make every race on speed.
"Ever since I've been in NASCAR, I've only had one shot at it. I have to qualify the car every week to make the race and at one point it's like, '‘I'll give it my best and there's nothing more that you can do,' " he said.
"If you worry about it, you'll perform worse most of the time."