Patrick Carpentier returns to the Cup Series

Patrick Carpentier

Heading into this weekend's event at Sonoma Raceway, the #32 Can-Am/Kappa team will head westward to the "Golden State" with Patrick Carpentier behind the wheel for the first of two road course events in 2016. Sunday's event will mark Carpentier's first NSCS start since Kansas in 2011.

Previously, the 44-year-old Quebec native was a five-time winner in Champ Car competition has 40 career NSCS starts, and two starts at Sonoma where he scored a career-best NSCS finish of 11th after starting 38th. Carpentier also won the Coors Light Pole Award in June 2008 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Carpentier: "I'm very excited to go back to Sonoma! I have not yet tried the new car generation and I'm really looking forward to it. Last week I spent a lot of time in the Sim at the Ford Tech Center, and it really helped. I believe it took a day off me getting acquainted to these cars again. It is amazing how far the technology has come lately. The Ford simulator is by far the most advanced sim I have tried and even the gearing was the same as what will be in the car. My goal going into Sonoma is to focus on the task I need to do, and do my part of it to the best of my capabilities. I have prepared for this event and I'm very appreciative and thankful that Archie St.Hilaire and everyone at Go Fas Racing along with Can-Am|BRP, and Kappa has given me the chance to drive the #32 Ford Fusion". GFR