Contract Status: Driver: 2013; Primary Sponsor: 2013

Ambrose, Almirola complete test at Sonoma: Richard Petty Motorsports teammates Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola completed a successful two-day test session at Sonoma Raceway on Wednesday. It marked the first test for the new Gen-6 car on a NASCAR-sanctioned road course, and the debut of the new car on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile Sonoma circuit. Ambrose completed approximately 75 laps, while Almirola completed 100 laps, all in race trim. Lap times were not available. "We always want to try to get an advantage on the competition, so we feel like it's been worthwhile to be out here and hopefully it will pay off for the race," said Ambrose, who won the pole in Sonoma last year. "We're happy with the progress, but we would love to be faster, always. We're confident that we've learned a lot and we'll come back with a better package in June." (Sonoma PR)(5-9-2013)

Ambrose, Almirola Set to Test at Sonoma, May 7th: Race fans will be treated to a FREE NASCAR test session and also get a sneak peek at some tasty new food options on Tuesday, May 7, at Sonoma Raceway. The test will also mark the debut of the new NASCAR Gen-6 car in Sonoma. Richard Petty Motorsports will visit the road course for a two-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test with #9-Marcos Ambrose and #43-Aric Almirola in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 21-23. This will be the first time the new Gen-6 NASCAR stock car will lay tracks on the Sonoma Valley road course. Ambrose claimed the pole in Sonoma last year and nearly took the checkers in 2010 before a late-race stall cost him the victory. In addition to the great on-track action, fans can also preview the raceway's newest concession concept, the Sears Point Grill. Located at the north-end of the main grandstand, the Sears Point Grill will feature handmade burgers, locally-sourced sausages and other savory grilled items. Three Sears Point Grill locations will open officially during NASCAR race weekend, but fans can purchase food and drinks near the main grandstand during the test session from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A press conference and fan event with the drivers will be held at the Sears Point Grill during the lunch break at approximately 12:15 p.m., and fans are welcome to attend. Fans can also test their skills with Grand Prix Karting in front of the Simraceway Driving Performance Center during the test session. Karting will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday in front of the racing school and is free for attendees. Testing will span from approximately 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fans who purchase tickets to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 during the test on May 7 can save up to $50 on a special NASCAR ticket package. Tickets for NASCAR's 25th annual visit to the Sonoma Valley are also available at 800-870-RACE (7223) or racesonoma.com/nascar. Great options are still available, including the all-new NASCAR Express train package, Save Mart 2-Pack and more.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-2-2013)

Allstate Peterbilt Group providing Petty Motorsports with tractors: Richard Petty Motorsports and Allstate Peterbilt Group have joined forces for the 2013 NASCAR season. Allstate Peterbilt Group announced they will supply Richard Petty Motorsports' NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series teams with Peterbilt tractors. Allstate Peterbilt Group has 17 locations throughout the Midwest and over forty years of experience supporting the Peterbilt line of products. The company will provide the teams with Peterbilt model 389 tractors, the flagship of premium traditional trucks, with aerodynamics that provide the team more fuel efficiency. The tractors will haul the race cars and race equipment of the #9 and #43 Sprint Cup teams of Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola and the #43 NASCAR Nationwide team of Michael Annett. With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 36-race schedule and the NASCAR Nationwide Series 33-race schedule, all three teams are spending a total of over 200,000 miles transporting each team's cars and race equipment to each racetrack, making reliability a top-concern.(RPM)(2-7-2012)

Two pit crew members to compete in Iron Man Triathlon: Extreme athletes and pit crew members Blake Haugland rear tire carrier for Marcos Ambrose on the #9 Ford, and Dave Collins front tire changer for Jimmie Johnson on the #48 Chevy are scheduled to be competing in the Bone Island Triathlon, an Iron Man Triathlon in Key West, FL on Saturday, Jan. 12th 2013. Haugland and Collins are scheduled to run the half triathlon. The event benefits The Florida Keys Unit of The American Cancer Society.(1-11-2013)

2013 silly season notes for #9-Marcos Ambrose / Richard Petty Motorsports: Richard Petty Motorsports re-signed Marcos Ambrose for the 2013 season, the third for Ambrose at RPM. Stanley and DeWalt will be the primary sponsors for the 2013 season as they have been the last two seasons. Ambrose has won a race a season the last two years, both at Watkins Glen. Ambrose won two poles in 2012 and will be in the Shootout at Daytona. Drew Blickensderfer ie the crew chief, moving over from Richard Childress Racing after Martinsville in October 2012. RPM re-upped with Ford for the 2013 season and will continue to get engines from Roush Yates. Ambrose will have the same teammate in 2013, with Aric Almirola returning in the famed #43. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(1-1-2013)

Ambrose to test for Michael Shank Racing's Grand-Am team: #9-Marcos Ambrose will join Michael Shank Racing, the defending Rolex 24 At Daytona Champions for the test called the Roar Before the 24 on January 4-6. Ambrose will be substituting for 2008 Rolex 24 pole winner and frequent triathlete, Ozz Negri, who suffered a leg injury in off-season training. Ambrose will share the testing duties in the #60 Ford Riley Daytona Prototype with John Pew, who has been confirmed as Negri's full-season co-driver. The team will announce its full driver line-up for their 10th Rolex 24 At Daytona event during the Roar Before the 24 Test Days.(Auto123)(12-27-2012)

RPM re-signs Ambrose and Almirola: Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) confirmed today its current drivers, Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola, have re-signed for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Ambrose will enter his third season driving for the organization. He will again be behind the wheel of the #9 Ford with partners Stanley and DEWALT. Almirola will begin his second season as the driver of the #43 Ford with primary support from partner Smithfield Foods and its family of brands, Smithfield, Eckrich, Farmland and Gwaltney. In addition, long-time Petty sponsor, STP, will also continue as a primary partner of the #43.
Ambrose returns to the Petty organization where he has his two Sprint Cup victories. The Australian native has won consecutively at Watkins Glen for RPM. This season, Ambrose also earned his first two Sprint Cup Series poles at Michigan and then Sonoma. In addition to this year's win and two poles, Ambrose has collected eight top-10 and three top-five finishes. He was also in position to earn a berth in the Sprint Cup "Chase" for the second consecutive season.
"It's good to come back to Richard Petty Motorsports and focus on our future together," said Ambrose. "We had success this year and recently have made plans to get better for 2013 and beyond. It was great to win at Watkins Glen, earn my first two poles and also have the opportunity to make the 'Chase' this year. I think the Petty organization, and this #9 team under the leadership of 'The King,' Sammy (Johns) and Drew (crew chief Blickensderfer), is going to be even stronger next season. I can't think of a better place to be and am ready to win."
Almirola is completing his first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He also found success with RPM behind the wheel of the famous #43 Ford. Almirola won his first career Sprint Cup Series pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He also collected three top-10 and one top-five finish so far this season. Recently, Almirola has been under the crew chief leadership of RPM veteran Todd Parrott. The combination has helped Almirola lead the most laps in his young Sprint Cup career. The team also recently finished fourth at Martinsville in October.
"We went through some changes this season, but since being paired with Todd (Parrott) and this crew, I've had the most fun I've had in a Cup car," said Almirola. "I think we have a lot of things 'clicking' right now and have a lot of momentum heading into 2013. Everyone at RPM seems to have good chemistry right now and that's a good feeling as we all prepare for 2013."
RPM previously announced its continuing relationship with Ford Racing and the addition of crew chief Drew Blickensderfer. Also confirmed earlier this season, RPM will continue to field the #43 Pilot/Flying J Ford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with driver Michael Annett. Annett is currently fifth in the Nationwide Series championship. With all the pieces in place for 2013, director of competition Sammy Johns has high expectations in 2013 for all teams.
"We have shuffled our Cup team line-ups a few times this season to maximize our results," commented Johns. "We feel that the chemistry that we are developing now with both teams is very strong. We have seen marked improvement over the past few weeks. It's important that we continue to better our communication and continuity with Marcos, Aric and their teams into 2013. We feel confident that both teams are capable of competing for wins and making the 'Chase' next season."(RPM)(11-17-2012)

Burton, Ambrose crew chief changes UPDATES: Silly Season is in full swing for Sprint Cup crew chiefs. Drew Blickensderfer resigned as Jeff Burton's crew chief on Sunday. Blickensderfer, 36, will return to the Ford camp as the crew chief for Marcos Ambrose and the #9 team at Richard Petty Motorsports. Given Blickensderfer's nine-year tenure at Roush Fenway Racing, he will be a valuable conduit for RPM with its technical partner. "Blick" replaces Mike Ford, who joined RPM at Talladega Superspeedway in May as Aric Almirola's crew chief. Before the Chase for the Sprint Cup began, Ford, 42, swapped teams with veteran crew chief Todd Parrott and began leading the #9 crew with Ambrose. Ford said on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway that he worked this season sans contract with RPM but had "options" for 2013 including working with BK Racing. Sources confirmed that Ford has been offered a crew chief's post at BKR. Luke Lambert will revive his role with Burton and the #31 Caterpillar crew at Richard Childress Racing starting in 2013. Shane Wilson will be interim crew chief for the final three races of the season.(Fox Sports)(10-29-2012)
UPDATE: Championship-winning Richard Childress Racing crew chief Shane Wilson will replace Drew Blickensderfer at the helm of the #31 Caterpillar Chevy team with driver Jeff Burton for the final three races of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. "I want to thank Drew for all of his effort with the No. 31 Caterpillar team this season," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "He's a great crew chief and I can't say enough about his dedication to RCR. Making the move now, before the season is over, gives Drew some additional time to pursue other opportunities. Luke Lambert, who currently calls the shots for RCR's NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship point standings leading #2 team with Elliott Sadler, will take over the #31 team crew chief duties for the 2013 season. Lambert served as interim crew chief for the #31 team in 2011.(RCR)(10-29-2012)
UPDATE 2: Richard Petty Motorsports announced Drew Blickensderfer has been assigned as the crew chief of the #9 team and driver Marcos Ambrose. The Mount Zion, Ill., native comes to Richard Petty Motorsports most recently from Richard Childress Racing where he was the crew chief for Jeff Burton. Prior to his time there, Blickensderfer spent the majority of his career with teams associated with Ford Racing and Roush-Fenway Racing. Blickensderfer replaces Mike Ford who is no longer with the organization.(RPM)(10-30-2012)

Richard Petty Motorsports renews with Ford: Richard Petty Motorsports and Ford Racing announced they will continue their manufacturer partnership. The announcement ensures that Richard Petty Motorsports' two NASCAR Sprint Cup race teams and its Nationwide Series race team will race under the Ford Racing banner into 2013. It will be the fourth consecutive season the team has raced with the manufacturer. Subsequently, RPM will continue its services contract with Roush-Fenway Racing and Roush-Yates Racing to supply new Ford Fusions and Ford horsepower for its entries. RPM will continue to enter the #9 Ford Fusion with partners Stanley and DEWALT and the # 43 Ford Fusion with Smithfield Foods and its family of brands, Smithfield, Eckrich, Farmland and Gwaltney, in the Sprint Cup Series, as well as the #43 Pilot/Flying J Ford Mustang with driver Michael Annett in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team is currently in the process of securing its Sprint Cup Series driver agreements.(RPM)(10-19-2012)

Richard Petty Motorsports Makes Change to Sprint Cup Teams: Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced it has made changes to its crew lineup in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Mike Ford will now lead Marcos Ambrose and the #9 Ford while Todd Parrott has been assigned as the crew chief for Aric Almirola and the #43 Ford. In addition, team members from both teams will also make the switch with their respective crew chief. Several pit crew members were also recently changed. The move is made to strengthen the entire RPM organization and improve the performance level now and into the future. The change is effective immediately. Richard Petty Motorsports currently has one win, three poles, 10 top-10 and three top-five finishes this season in the Sprint Cup Series. The team was also in position to make the Chase for the second consecutive season with driver Marcos Ambrose.
"We're continuing to make improvements at Richard Petty Motorsports and we've added talented people to our organization this season," said Sammy Johns, director of competition. "This move is to make sure that we are using that talent to the fullest to get the best results for our teams each weekend. We feel this adjustment will strengthen the organization, allow us to continue to compete for wins and ultimately challenge for championships."
Ford and Parrott are both veteran, winning crew chiefs. Parrott has one Sprint Cup championship, a Daytona 500 championship and 31 Sprint Cup wins to his credit. Ford has six Chase births and 25 Sprint Cup race wins on his resume. Both are looking at the change as an opportunity to better Richard Petty Motorsports.
"Aric has really shown the desire and dedication to get his first Sprint Cup Series win," Parrott said. "It was great our team helped lead Marcos to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win and poles. We are now ready to help direct Almirola and the #43 team to the same results and better."
Ford is also ready to work with Ambrose and the #9 race team. "Marcos is a racer who has proven to win poles and races," Ford said. "Our goal is to take my experiences and make sure we can consistently run up front and continue to win races." Ford, Parrott and their teams will be working with their new respective drivers this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(9-10-2012)

RPM to return in 2013: Richard Petty Motorsports will remain a part of the Sprint Cup Series in 2013 despite a loss of manufacturer money and limited sponsorship, the co-owner told ESPN.com. Petty said he hopes to have a new deal with Ford in the next three weeks, but acknowledged it probably won't be as good financially since much of the manufacturer's money that went to RPM is going to Penske Racing. Penske is moving from Dodge to Ford in 2013. Petty did say that RPM currently has enough sponsorship to put two Cup cars on the track next year. "We've always been here, so we're going to be here,'' the Hall of Fame driver said. Petty wasn't so adamant on whether his driver lineup -- Marcos Ambrose in the #9 and Aric Almirola in the famed #43 -- would remain the same. Ambrose appears safe -- he's won this year and is safely inside the top 20 in points at 16th. Almirola signed a one-year deal and is 22nd in points. "We'll see," Petty said on his driver lineup. "Right now, everything we've got going is in the air, just like it has been the last three or four years."(ESPN)(8-30-2012)

Marcos Ambrose wins at Watkins Glen: #9-Marcos Ambrose won the Finger Lakes 355(k) at Watkins Glen International in one of the most dramatic, exciting road course finishes ever. #18-Kyle Busch led at the white flag when Busch got in some oil on the track [supposedly from the #47 Toyota] and slowed, #2-Brad Keselowski couldn't slow in the oil and got into the rear of the #18, spinning the #18. Keselowski and Ambrose then raced to the checkered flag, beating and banging, running thru the grass with Ambrose getting by Keselowski and winning his 1st race of the year, 2nd at Watkins Glen and 2nd career win.
#2-Keselowski finished 2nd followed by #48-Johnson, #15-Bowyer, #22-Hornish Jr., #16-Biffle, #18-Busch, #17-Kenseth, #78-Smith and #56-Truex Jr. #24-Gordon was running in 10th when he got in fluid/oil and spun out into the guardrail, finishing 21st.
The points leader coming into the race, #88-Earnhardt Jr. was running 10th when he spun off turn 5, had to pit for tires and finished 28th. #48-Johnson took over the points lead by 1 point over #16-Biffle with #88-Earnhardt Jr. falling to 4th.
#18-Busch led the most laps on the day with 43 of 90 laps, finishing 7th.
Pole sitter #42-Montoya finished 33rd after something broke in the left front of the car early in the race.
There were 4 cautions for 13 yellow flag laps. There were 10 lead changes among 5 drivers. The average speed was 98.145mph.
The estimated attendence was 90,000 up over last years race which was held on Monday after being rained delayed a day but still had an estimated crowd of 85,000.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Watkins Glen Race Results page (pdf).(8-12-2012)

Petty discusses Robbie Loomis: Richard Petty said chief operating officer Robbie Loomis was not fired, that his contract simply expired, and he still maintained a "personal" relationship with the organization that has struggled financially the past few years. Loomis had been in charge of turning around Richard Petty Motorsports's on-track program for the past six years. He previously was at Hendrick Motorsports, where he was the crew chief for Jeff Gordon when he won the 2001 Sprint Cup title. Petty said the decision not to offer a new deal had nothing to do with Loomis being outspoken about wanting to sign 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch after Busch was released from Penske Racing. "That was the business part of it," Petty said of Loomis' departure. "Personally, nothing has changed. Anything we do at the shop, we call him and let him know. He's up on the very latest thing we do at the shop." Petty said all of Loomis' responsibilities at the track and shop have been re-assigned to other people. He did not rule out Loomis returning at some point, if it is financially feasible. "He has a personal connection to Richard Petty Motorsports," Petty said. "Right now, that's all it is."(ESPN)(1-25-2012)

Loomis out at Petty: Richard Petty Motorsports has elected not to renew Robbie Loomis' contract for 2012. Loomis, who was most recently listed at Chief Operating Officer for RPM, first joined Petty Enterprises as a crew chief in 1991 at the end of the King's driving career. "I'm taking some time off," Loomis said. "My contract was up in December and I'm looking to explore what's next. Richard is still family -- so is everyone else at Richard Petty Motorsports. The future is exciting because it's unknown but there's still a lot of uncertainty in what the future brings." Loomis wouldn't acknowledge whether or not he would continue on as a consultant for the team but added that he'd "Do anything to help Richard Petty Motorsports be in a better place." But with Best Buy pulling out of RPM and Smithfield signing up for a limited schedule on the #43 Ford, it's become increasingly clear that the company could no longer afford Loomis' reported seven figure salary. While no successor for Loomis has been named, certainly with 20 years of racing experience, Sammy Johns, RPM's director of operation, is more than capable of overseeing the competition department.(Fox Sports)(1-22-2012)