Patrick Carpentier was released from Gillett Evernham Motorsports on Tuesday.
Carpentier, a Sprint Cup rookie and former open-wheel racer in Champ Car and the IndyCar Series, was the driver of the No. 10 Dodge for GEM.
Carpentier and GEM confirmed last month that he would not be back with the team next season but the former open wheel racer was scheduled to finish out the season with the No. 10 Dodge.
The move comes after Carpentier was severely criticized by crew chief Mike Shiplett after failing to qualify for last weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Talladega. The outburst was heard by anyone within earshot of the team’s trailer.
“I think it’s a complete lack of respect,” Carpentier said of Shiplett’s outburst over the weekend.
“I never was shy about taking the blame when I thought it was my fault, but (at Talladega), everybody knows that its like driving in a straight line. The driver just needs to keep the steering wheel straight. He should have taken a time out and calmed down before he spoke.”
“I gave it all I had, but now he blames me? This is totally unacceptable. It’s not as if my teammates were on the first row! They both ran slower than me!”
The No. 10 is outside the top 35 in points, and GEM vice president Mark McArdle indicated the team did not think Carpentier could get it inside the coveted mark before the end of the season. The top 35 in the standings at the end of this year are guaranteed a spot in the season-opening Daytona 500.
“We certainly appreciate all the effort that Patrick Carpentier made for us this year,” McArdle said. “But, our job is to put ourselves in a position to win races plus we’re striving to get the No. 10 into the top 35 in points. We feel A.J. gives us the best chance to do both.”
Gillett Evernham Motorsports officials announced. Mike Wallace will drive the No.10 car this weekend at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and AJ Allmendinger will take over for the remainder of the season.
“I’m excited about this news,” Allmendinger said. “GEM has great equipment and I’m confident we can take these final five races and get the No.10 up in points. I know we have a lot of work to do, but we are going to give it our best shot. I’m looking forward to spending some time with crew chief Mike Shiplett and the guys starting at Martinsville.”
Last week, Allmendinger was released from his ride at Red Bull Racing, but picked up by Michael Waltrip Racing to drive the No.00 Toyota this weekend at Charlotte in a one-race deal.
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