Patrick Carpentier has become a free agent on the NASCAR circuit, telling reporters at Auto Club Speedway in California this past weekend that his ride with Gillett Evernham Motorsports will be over at seasons end. The likeable Canadian was hired to replace Scott Riggs in the seat of the number ten Dodge after last season and now finds himself without a ride for 2009.

Gillett Evernham announced last week they have signed Reed Sorenson for next season.

"It's over," Carpentier said when asked if he would be driving for Gillett Evernham next year. "They hired Reed Sorenson for next year, so it's over."

The thirty seven year old racing veteran came to NASCAR from the open wheel ranks where he earned twenty two podium finishes in his eight year Champ Car career before moving to the Indy Racing League and scoring eleven top tens in 2005. He has recorded wins in Champ Car and CART in addition to having a Toyota Atlantic Championship to his credit.

Carpentier captured the attention of many in the racing world in 2007 when he sat on the pole for his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, leading fourteen laps of the race and finishing an impressive second. Gillett Evenham offered Carpentier a Cup ride for the following week at Watkins Glen and he responded with a twenty second place finish after leading seven laps of the event.

2008 has been a learning experience for Carpentier, adjusting from open wheel to the heavy stock cars while having to deal with the pressures that come with being a NASCAR driver. So far this season his best finish is a fourteenth in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona and his best qualifying effort came at New Hampshire in June for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 where Carpentier started from the pole.

Dealing another blow to Carpentier is the recent announcement of format changes to the Budweiser Shootout which will lock him out of the prestigious event held each February at Daytona.

The quick smiling Carpentier remains positive and indicated there is some interest in his services for next year. "I'm talking with other teams to see what's out there, we'll see what the future brings," he said.