NASCAR: Carpentier to drive for NAPA in Montreal

PHOTO: Patrick Carpentier will drive the #99 Toyota Camry NAPA Auto Parts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge, race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on August 29-30, 2009. (Photo Muriel Brousseau for Stock-Car Montreal)

Montreal, April 15th, 2009 - NAPA Auto Parts is proud to announce that Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier will be a competitor in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 as the NASCAR Nationwide Series crosses the border for the third year in a row to compete at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Parc Jean Drapeau, August 30th. Patrick Carpentier and NAPA Auto Parts entered into an agreement allowing the Canadian driver to be at the wheel of the No. 99 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry fielded by Michael Waltrip Racing.

The good news continues - Today, NAPA Auto Parts and Stock-Car Montreal announced that they have extended their agreement, making NAPA Auto Parts the primary sponsor for the event over the next three years until 2011.

"Patrick was our first choice, and we are undoubtedly very happy with this agreement. Not only is he from the region but his name is synonymous with talent, perseverance and sportsmanship wherever he performs," said Robert Hattem, president and COO of UAP Inc. "It was a natural fit for us to offer Patrick the wheel for this event and allow the public to witness his unique know-how," indicated Hattem.

Patrick Carpentier, a native of Joliette (Quebec), scored his career-first pole award (2007) and finished second in both events at the 2.71-mile road course. This time around, the objective is for Carpentier to clench his first NASCAR Nationwide Series victory for NAPA in just his 12th career start.

"The quality of the car he is driving this year puts him in a great position to achieve this goal. I am proud that Patrick Carpentier will represent both Michael Waltrip Racing and long-time partner, NAPA Auto Parts in the NAPA 200. Our organization is looking forward to competing at the legendary Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in August," concluded Hattem.

From his point of view, Carpentier is pleased to have the chance to race in front of his Montreal fans with the NAPA Auto Parts team: "By being the official race sponsor, it is clear to me that NAPA wishes more than anything the success of this important event for the City of Montreal. It is an honor to partner with such a talented team like NAPA. My greatest desire is to give the spectators and viewers a great performance that meets their expectations."

The NAPA Auto Parts 200 is a stop on the NASCAR Nationwide Series circuit, one of the most important racing events in Canada. The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday August 29th and 30th at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Parc Jean Drapeau in Montreal.

Over a decade ago, Michael Waltrip established a modest family-owned NASCAR Nationwide Series team in Sherrills Ford, N.C., called Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). In 2007 when TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) entered competition in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, Waltrip established a strong partnership with Toyota to field three full-time Camrys at the pinnacle of the sport while maintaining the integrity of his championship caliber Nationwide team. Currently, MWR fields two NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Nationwide Series entry. MWR is also technically aligned with JTG-Daugherty Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Waltrip commenced the construction of a 140,000 sq. ft shop in which all four teams are housed today.

NAPA is a subsidiary of UAP Inc., a Canadian leader in the distribution, merchandising and remanufacturing of automotive parts and replacement accessories for cars, trucks and heavy vehicles. Over the years, UAP has earned a reputation for product excellence, unsurpassed customer service, support and dynamic growth in all of its markets - a dynamism prompting profitable expansion from the very beginning in 1926 when the company was established as United Auto Parts Limited. Today, the company has more than 4,000 employees. UAP Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (GPC).

From UAP / Danielle Tardif and (for) Patrick Carpentier: Robert Desrosiers

NASCAR: NAPA renews partnership with Stock-Car Montreal

Photo: Patrick Carpentier (centre) was announced during a press conference held in Montreal on Wednesday April 15, 2009 as the driver of the #99 Toyota Camry NAPA Auto Parts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge, race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on August 29-30, 2009. Carpentier is flanked on the left by Robert Hattem, President, and Chief Operating Officer, UAP Inc., and by François Dumontier, promoter and spokesperson for Stock-Car Montreal.

Montréal, April 15, 2009 - Stock-Car Montreal is happy to announce that it has renewed its partnership with NAPA Auto Parts, a subsidiary of UAP Inc. The three-year deal, which runs from 2009 to 2011, secures NAPA Auto Parts the sponsorship title of the Montreal NASCAR Nationwide Series race. The partnership is the cornerstone of the featured 200-mile Nationwide Series race held each year on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve located in Parc Jean-Drapeau. This year's Nationwide Series race weekend is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 29-30, 2009, and will be run on an off weekend for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers.

"We are thrilled that NAPA has decided to extend its partnership with us, as the company was a true believer from the outset," said François Dumontier, promoter and spokesperson for Stock-Car Montreal. "Their early involvement enabled us to lay a strong foundation in the promotion of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 event, which is quickly becoming in the minds of many race fans, THE major motorsport event in Montreal. Over the past two years, we have been able to establish a very strong relationship with NAPA, and we are happy to continue this close association for years to come. As a partner, NAPA is committed to making this event a tremendous success."

While planning the NASCAR event back in October 2006 - nearly a year prior the inaugural race - NAPA had shown its eagerness to become involved as the major sponsor for the event. The official agreement was announced April 16, 2007 where NAPA also introduced David Reutimann who drove the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry entry in the first two editions of the Montreal race.

"As Canadian leader of the automotive aftermarket industry, NAPA is delighted to pursue its long-term association with the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Stock-Car Montreal. The NAPA Auto Parts 200 Montreal race has arguably become one of the most popular sports affairs in Canada in relation to the number of fans attending the event, as well as the size of the television audience. Our association with Stock-Car Montreal and the NASCAR Nationwide Series race is a natural fit," said Robert Hattem, President, and Chief Operating Officer, UAP Inc.

Tickets for the NAPA Auto Part 200, presented by Dodge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on August 29-30, 2009 are currently on sale.

NAPA is a wholly owned subsidiary of UAP Inc, the Canadian leader in the distribution, merchandising and remanufacturing of automotive parts and replacement accessories for cars, truck and heavy vehicles. Over the years, UAP has earned a reputation for product excellence, unsurpassed customer services and support, and dynamic growth in all of its markets - a dynamism prompting profitable expansion from the very beginning in 1926 when the company was established as United Auto Parts Limited. Today, the company has approximately 4,000 employees. UAP is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (GPC).

Stock-Car Montreal is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) based in Daytona Beach, Florida. ISC is the leading promoter of motorsports in North America, hosting over 100 major racing events each year.

From Stock-Car Montréal / Normand Prieur and UAP inc. / Danielle Tardif
Photo by Muriel Brousseau