STATESVILLE, N.C. – Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced today that Mike Wallace will drive the No. 10 Dodge at Charlotte this weekend and A.J. Allmendinger will take over driving duties at Martinsville on Oct. 19 and for the remainder of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Wallace and Allmendinger replace Patrick Carpentier who drove the No. 10 in 24 races this season.
Allmendinger, 26, is committed to driving the No. 00 this weekend at Charlotte.
“We certainly appreciate all the effort that Patrick Carpentier made for us this year. 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,” said Mark McArdle, the team’s vice president and managing director of competition.
“A.J. has a lot of talent and if you look at his numbers you will see that he’s only run in 38 races in his career. I think the more experience he gets the better results you are going to see and I hope that starts at Martinsville. He’s demonstrated in open wheel he has the talent and I think his performance two weeks ago proves his worth in a stock car.”
Allmendinger finished a career-best ninth at Kansas on Sept. 28 driving the No. 84.
“I’m excited about this news,” said the California native. “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.”
Reed Sorenson will assume the driving duties of the No. 10 at the beginning of the 2009 season.
McArdle said Wallace brings a wealth of experience to the No. 10 team.
“We appreciate Mike stepping in and helping us out. A.J. had a commitment and Mike was gracious enough to give us a hand. He’s a good driver and we expect that will show this weekend.”
From Gillett Evernham Motorsports
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