Carpentier hurt in LV fall; to miss next 2 CART races

Wednesday, April 12, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) driver Patrick Carpentier broke his left wrist in a fall at his Las Vegas home Monday night and will miss the next two CART races, including this weekend's Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The accident occurred in Carpentier's Summerlin home when the 28-year-old driver lost his balance while going up the stairs carrying a heavy suitcase. He fractured his wrist trying to cushion his fall.

Dr. Terry Trammell, CART's chief orthopedic surgeon, performed surgery on Carpentier's left wrist Tuesday night in Indianapolis and will supervise his rehabilitation.

"I'm extremely disappointed to find myself on the sidelines after starting the season on such a strong note with a fifth-place finish at Homestead," Carpentier said.

"I feel bad for all the guys on the team who have worked so hard to get us to this point, but this latest setback will only increase my resolve to help make Team Player's a championship contender when I come back."

Memo Gidley, who made a combined 10 starts for Walker Racing and Payton Coyne Racing during his rookie season in CART last year, will replace Carpentier for the next two races.