Ex-Open Wheel drivers ruin their careers in NASCAR

The great IndyCar exodus has reached a dead end in the Sprint Cup Series. With Jacques Villeneuve getting fired after one race and Dario Franchitti's team getting shut down two months ago, the problems for open-wheeled regulars continued this week with Patrick Carpentier apparently getting forced out at Gillett Evernham Motorsports and A.J. Allmendinger not knowing what his future holds at Red Bull Racing.

Reed Sorenson announced this week he's leaving Chip Ganassi Racing – the same team that closed the doors on Franchitti's Sprint Cup ride – to replace Carpentier.

"I knew that was a possibility," Carpentier said. "For sure, it's a shock to learn someone else is taking your spot. I'm not mad. I kind of expected it. I still hope they find sponsorship. They really want to find it. With the economy and the way things are, Reed just fits the bill better. That's fine, too."

Carpentier will start tonight's Pepsi 500 at the Auto Club Speedway from the fifth spot. Allmendinger is second.

Red Bull is still working on its future plans. Right now, the team isn't sure whether Allmendinger, who left CART at year ago to race stock cars, fits in those plans.

He's been on hold for a couple months. And like Carpentier, he knows the last 12 races could be an audition for future work. SavannahNow.com

And as for the talented Juan Montoya, except for a couple of road course wins, one in Cup and one in Busch, it must hurt to have to run as a backmarker week in and week out.

Mission not accomplished – careers destroyed.