Stock car fans keep being spoiled

Patrick Carpentier is totally focused on the job to do. Here, he gets ready for the practice session on Friday afternoon.

Patrick was the fastest during the qualifying session. Executives from Team Fitz Motorsports and Dodge were pleasantly surprised.

Carpentier receives a commemorative plaque which he will no doubt gladly put next to his other trophies.

This first NASCAR experience proved to be a memorable one as he finished in second place behind Kevin Harvick and ahead of Max Papis.

Way to go, Patrick!

All the drivers who took part in the NAPA 200 gathered near the starting/finish line for a nice family picture. They will remember this inaugural NASCAR race in Montreal for a long time...
 
Carpentier sat right in the middle of the group.

There were 43 cars in the pit lane just a few minutes before the start of the race.

Adrenaline was flowing and every crew member was excited, not to mention the drivers themselves.

Safety is crucial and Busch officials are very rigorous with the medias. The pit lane must be clear several minutes before the race.

Here is Carpentier's Pontiac Riley Samax-Citgo number 11 for the Grand-Am Rolex race. He qualified in third place but his teammate Kris Szekeres was involved in a collision with Scott Pruett. As a result, the team of Carpentier/Szekeres finished 10th.

Max Angelelli finally won the event under a blistering sun. At track side, the heat reached 50 degrees Celsius.

As the tradition goes, the three teams on the podium after the Grand-Am Rolex 200 race sprayed themselves with champagne.

Fans witnessed quite a show. The quality of the action and the beauty of the cars really impressed. For one weekend, Quebecers forgot all about F1...

...well, almost!