NASCAR Rivals: Patrick Carpentier vs. Sam Hornish Jr.
June 12, 2008 by Tim Zaegel
Filed under Racing
Coming into Sunday’s Pocono 500 race, both Sam Hornish Jr. and Patrick Carpentier found themselves in 33rd and 38th place in the standings, respectively, as both drivers continue to fight in a bid to make the cut for the top-35 in owner’s points. In Hornish’s case, it’s an effort to keep the car inside the top-35, while Carpentier’s quest is to make in over the hump after the car was sidelined for a handful of the events earlier on in the season. Both drivers are also competing for Rookie of the Year honors amidst a rookie field that is top-heavy with former open wheel stars.
During Sunday’s race, the two drivers became acquainted with one another on the track not once, but twice. The two first got together when they both spun on lap 57 as they battled for position:
The two then collided once again as they spun out on lap 68, this time collecting David Gilliland and Terry LaBonte in the process:
Hornish went onto finish the race in 42nd place and has now dropped to 34th in the points standings. Carpentier managed a 32nd place finish, but remains in 38th overall, 397 points out of the top-35.
