Patrick Carpentier reportedly threatened to quit Eddie Cheever's team
after the IRL team owner sent him a letter critical of his performance to date
source: TSN
According to the Journal de Montreal, the relationship between Carpentier and
Cheever became strained after the former Champ Car driver was chastised little
over a week ago for an apparent lack of input with the rest of the team.
"I called Eddie and it was a good thing I couldn't reach him (after receiving
the letter) because I was very angry," Carpentier tells the newspaper. "I felt
so fed up I was ready to quit after the Indy 500."
Carpentier left the Champ Car series at the end of last year and while he
entertained an option to join NASCAR, signed with the IRL primarily so that he
could compete in the Indianapolis 500.
Carpentier says he eventually spoke with Cheever and termed the conversation
"good".
"I believe it's never good to write a letter to a driver to express one's
opinions," said Carpentier.
"These matters should be discussed in person."
Cheever has asked Carpentier to move from his off-season home of Las Vegas to
the team's headquarters in Indianapolis in order to be closer to the engineers,
but so far, Carpentier has refused.
"I promised (Eddie) I'd increase my commitment level."