Contract Status: Sponsor: ?; Driver: 200?
- What's Up with Fittipaldi? UPDATE: Former Champ Car driver Christian Fittipaldi, whose move to NASCAR with #44 Petty Enterprises stalled this year due to a lack of sponsorship, will compete in the final four races of the Grand American Rolex Series with reigning Daytona Prototype champion Terry Borcheller. Team owner and driver Forest Barber said Fittipaldi would co-drive with Borcheller in Bell Motorsports' Kodak EasyShare DORAN JE4 Pontiac. Fittipaldi was one of the team's four drivers when it won the 2004 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in February. "I'm really excited -- especially because I have a chance to go back to the Daytona 24 Hour-winning car," Fittipaldi said. "Hopefully the team, Terry and myself can put four good finishes together so Bell Motorsports will be in a very good position for 2005." Although still under contract with Petty Enterprises, Fittipaldi is scheduled to compete in four Busch Series races later this season for Innovative Motorsports.(Las Vegas Sun)(8-20-2004)
UPDATE: It was reported Friday in this space [Las Vegas Sun] that Christian Fittipaldi would attempt to run four NASCAR Busch Series races later this year for Innovative Motorsports. Fittipaldi, who remains under contract with Petty Enterprises, no longer is affiliated with Innovative Motorsports, which fields two Toyota Tundra trucks in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The Sun regrets the error.(Las Vegas Sun)(8-25-2004)
- New Petty Site: Petty Enterprises has unveiled its newly-designed Internet web site at www.pettyracing.com. Animink, Inc., which has created websites, cartoon animation and 3D animation for almost six years, designed and is handling the new web site. The company is now based in Huntersville, N.C., and has designed sites for other NASCAR drivers, the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and the John Boy and Billy nationally-syndicated radio show. "We're really pleased with Animink and the new design of www.pettyracing.com," said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "They have done a tremendous job, and I know the fans are going to love it." The Petty Racing site was recreated to better connect with race fans, and cater to those who already have a passion for motorsports and the Petty family. There are dialup and broadband versions. Both versions have audio and video clips, galleries and other downloadable features. The broadband version includes full motion-video, as well as music that changes as the user surfs the site. The motion and flow of the site is as unique as it is attractive.(Williams Company PR)(8-3-2004)
- Petty Testing engines at Lowe's: Petty Enterprises broke two engines at California, and they weren't the first engines to blow this year. The #45 and #44 Petty Enterprises cars will test this week at Charlotte. The #44, a developmental car driven by Christian Fittipaldi [not so far in 2004], will be used strictly for engine work and will be driven by Mark Green, who normally works as the spotter for Kyle Petty and the #45.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(5-10-2004)
- Fittipaldi at Daytona: Christian Fittipaldi will return later this week for the stock car portion of Speed Weeks, even though he doesn't have a ride lined up for any events at Daytona International Speedway. Fittipaldi said he is under contract with Petty Enterprises Inc., but there is no sponsorship money to do a full race program. "Obviously like a bunch of other people out there, we're fighting hard to find a sponsor for my program," Fittipaldi said. "At the moment we have a program to do five or 10 Nextel Cup races." Sponsorships are in short supply at the Nextel Cup level of racing, where multi-million dollar deals are needed to fund a team. "Hopefully, we can go find the budget to go racing the whole season," Fittipaldi said. "The economy is hindering a lot of people out there. It's hard for teams and race car drivers."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-2-2004)
- Kyle Retiring Sometime in 2004? Hmiel to drive #45? UPDATE 2 Denied: At some point this season, for the first time in the history of NASCAR there will not be a Petty in the roster of drivers. Shane Hmiel is in line to replace Kyle Petty in the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge. Petty would remain CEO of Petty Enterprises. "It's really not going to affect anyone but us," said seven-time champion Richard Petty, Kyle's father. "But it will be a family thing because we won't have anyone out there. We might have to adopt someone." Hmiel could be reinstated to compete in NASCAR as early as this week and be ready to race as early as Daytona. After failing a drug test last fall following the Busch race at Richmond, Hmiel, 23, was suspended from racing in NASCAR events. Gary Smith, NASCAR's director of event logistics, said last week that Hmiel has been involved in a rehabilitation program administered by an independent agency and is doing well.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(1-26-2004)
UPDATE: being told by Petty sources that this is not true and Petty plans to run the full 2004 season, Hmiel could run a few select races in the #44. No idea what the plan is for Christian Fittipaldi in 2004.(1-26-2004)
UPDATE 2: Contrary to a unconfirmed Internet report, Kyle Petty has no plans to retire in 2004, a source close to Petty Enterprises said. The report said that some time during the 2004 season, Petty would be replaced by Shane Hmiel in the #45 Dodge. Hmiel is currently undergoing a NASCAR-mandated program to gain reinstatement to the sport after being suspended last year for an undisclosed substance violation. Hmiel attempted to qualify in a Petty [#43] car last year in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona but was too slow to make the field. The report that Hmiel would replace Petty, however, is "not true at all," a source said.
"(It) was never checked with anyone at Petty Enterprises and had the quotes taken out of context," the source said. "Richard (Petty) was asked, as he has been more than once over the past few years, of the day that would sometime come when there would not be a Petty driving at Petty Enterprises, and this was not in any way a reaction to this 'story.' But the quotes were placed to make it look as if it were." Petty has been in NASCAR since 1979, competing in 678 races, making him ninth on that all-time list. He hasn't won since 1995, however, as Petty Enterprises has struggled in recent years. Petty has taken on the role of car owner, running the two-car team out of the famed Level Cross, N.C. shops. But retirement as a driver? A "baseless" claim, a source said.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(1-26-2004)
UPDATE 3: been told there are no plans to run Hmiel in a Petty car in 2004, plans are still to run Christian Fittipaldi in some races, depending on sponosrship in the #44 Dodge.(1-27-2004)
- Add Fittipaldi to the 24 Hours at Daytona: Nextel Cup driver Christian Fittipaldi will compete in the 2004 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Other NASCAR regulars such as Kyle Petty, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will also take the green flag on January 31 for 24 hours of tough competition. Fittipaldi, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil will be driving with the defending North American Road Racing Champions Bell Motorsports. Co-driving the #54 Doran/Chevy in the Daytona Prototype division along with 2003 Daytona Prototype champion Terry Borcheller, Forest Barber and Andy Pilgrim, Fittipaldi feels the team has a better chance at success this year as compared to their 2003 effort at the endurance classic. In the 2003 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona they were able to complete only 67 laps before retiring with mechanical difficulties.(NASCAR.com)(1-9-2004)
- Fittipaldi will be back at PE: Christian Fittipaldi remains under contract with Petty Enterprises and will drive a combination Busch, ARCA and Nextel Cup schedule next year if the team can find sponsorship, Richard Petty said.(Tampa Tribune)(11-8-2003)
- Greg Steadman Takes Helm Of #45 Dodge Veteran to lead G-P team for rest of season: Veteran Greg Steadman will serve as crew chief of the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge for the final two races of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Steadman, who has previously served as crew chief of the #43 and #44 Dodges at Petty Enterprises, had been serving as shop foreman. “Greg has done a great job in the shop but he realizes we need him back on the road,” said Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 and CEO of Petty Enterprises. “As a crew chief with both the #43 and #44, he did a tremendous job, and is a great leader. We are fortunate to have him available. “We have not been able to build on our improvement in 2002. We feel Greg can help us get back on the right track,” Petty added.(Williams Company PR)(11-4-2003)
- Avis and Petty? UPDATE: AutoRacing1.com insiders have learned that Petty Enterprises has been courting Avis Enterprises (Car Rental) heavily to sponsor the #44 Dodge for next year. A day at the Petty driving school and a massive hospitality event at the upcoming Atlanta race are part of the courtship.(AutoRacing1.com need subscirtion to read)(10-4-2003)
UPDATE: being told this is not true and that there is no massive hospitality event scheduled for the Atlanta race and that Avis has no plans on sponsoring any race team.(10-6-2003)
- Green stays in the #43 for Kansas, Fittipaldi in the #44; possibly longer: Jeff Green will be behind the wheel of the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge again this week when the NASCAR Winston Cup Series heads to the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway. And he will be in the car on a race-to-race basis the rest of the season. Following two steady runs in the #43, Green has been named driver of the Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge on a race-to-race basis. Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises, made the announcement. Christian Fittipaldi will drive the #44 Bugles Dodge in the races already scheduled for 2003. “Jeff has done a good job for us the past few weeks, and we are excited to have him in the car at Kansas,” Petty said. “His winning attitude, the way he has quickly adapted to Petty Enterprises and the way he has been readily accepted by the guys on the team has already shown on the race track. Jeff’s history as a winner is already showing. Christian also has some good results this year, including qualifying seventh at Michigan and running well in several races,” Petty continued. “He has done an amazing job jumping in for us this year earlier than we had planned. Christian is a big part of our program going forward. We already had Christian scheduled for a few more #44 Bugles races the remainder of this season, and keeping the #43 team together with one driver should help us finish strong,” Petty added.
“I am really excited to be able to continue what we’ve started,” said Green. “I’ve started to get to know the ‘Helping Hand’ crew some over the past two weeks, and they’ve gotten to know me. We’re starting to get a pretty good relationship going, and that’s going to help us as we move on to Kansas and, hopefully, on down the line.”(Williams Company PR)(10-2-2003)
- Petty Enterprises safe with Dodge: DaimlerChrysler officials denied reports that Petty Enterprises was losing its top-tier status with Dodge. Although there have been concerns regarding the performance of the Nos. 43 and 45 cars this season, Dodge is committed to honoring the remaining years on Petty's contract.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(9-24-2003)
- Green in the #43 at Talladega and Lowes: Jeff Green will be in Petty Enterprises' #43 Cheerios Dodge two more times this season, a team spokesman confirmed Saturday. Green will be behind the wheel of the #43 next weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and Oct. 11 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Green is driving the car this weekend because regular driver Christian Fittipaldi was slated to drive the #44 in a sponsor deal reached before the Petty's released John Andretti.(NASCAR.com)(9-21-2003)
- Jeff Green in the #43 at Dover; Fittipaldi in the #44 UPDATE 2: Jeff Green, who has wheeled cars this year for Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt Inc., will drive the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge of Petty Enterprises for this race. Christian Fittipaldi, who normally drives the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge, will drive the #44 Bugles Dodge this weekend for the MBNA America 400 Cup race at the one-mile Dover (Del.) International Speedway. “There isn’t any doubt Jeff Green can drive a race car, and he can drive it well,” said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. “Having the opportunity to have him behind the wheel of the #43 this week is great for Petty Enterprises, for General Mills and for our entire program. Jeff will do a super job for us.”(Petty Racing/Williams Company PR)(9-15-2003)
UPDATE: have heard nothing [yet] about Green NOT driving the #43 at Dover and Fittipaldi going back in it since the #44 team didn't have enough race attempts/owners points to make the field at Dover since qulaidying has been canceled due to Hurrican Isabel.
UPDATE 2: been told that Green will stay in the #43 Dodge and race it Sunday.(9-17-2003)
- Changes coming at Petty Enterprises:......However, outsiders say that the problems are not so much technical as managerial, and [Kyle] Petty agrees: 'So we're getting ready to make a structural change in the next couple of weeks. I'm starting to give some of it to other people, so I can focus on just the driving and the business.' So will Fittipaldi be in that car again next year? There is speculation that Jeremy Mayfield may get a Petty ride. Petty said: 'Our plan is for Christian to be in that car next year, and that's the plan we've laid out for General Mills. However, if all of sudden Tony Stewart, for example, comes knocking at the door, then he's either going to get my seat or Christian's. 'Barring unforeseen circumstances, Christian will be in that car. But I won't give you a definitive, because I don't think there are any definitives in racing any more ... except we're Petty Enterprises and we're going to be here for a while.'(see full story and many quotes at the Winston Salem Journal)(8-17-2003)
- Richard Petty on "Fox & Friends" This Morning: Richard Petty will unveil a commemorative 100th Anniversary New York Yankees car in New York on Friday. He will be interviewed live on Fox & Friends with the show car during the 8:00 hour on FOX News Channel, probably around 8:35am/et. AND Richard Petty will also be on The Best Damn Sports Show Period tonight on FOX Sports Net. Petty and baseball Hall-of-Famer Yogi Berra will be interviewed while promoting the show car from Yankee Stadium.(MotorsportsTV)
AND Petty threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, his catcher was baseball legend, Yogi Berra (FSN's Totally NASCAR show), also see some new images of the real #44 Dodge on my 2003 Cup Schemes page - #24-99.(8-8-2003)
- Parrott to PE? maybe Roush? UPDATE 3 looks like neither: Sources in the garage say former Robert Yates Racing crew chief Todd Parrott could be coming out of retirement and headed for Petty Enterprises -- if the Pettys can afford the seven-figure price tag it would take to retain him.(more 'Dish' at Sporting News)(7-21-2003)
UPDATE: Earlier this year, Todd Parrott was released as director of competition at Robert Yates Racing. Earlier this week, there was a report that Parrott may wind up with Petty Enterprises, but a source told me Friday that Parrott could wind up at Roush Racing. We'll keep you posted on that.(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(7-26-2003)
UPDATE 2: Crew chief Todd Parrott is shopping for a job, and two places he's applied are Petty Enterprises and Roush Racing. But sources say that Parrott won't be offered a job with Roush. 'Todd came to me, and I have talked with him,' Jack Roush said, without further explanation.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-28-2003)
UPDATE 3: Petty Enterprises has talked to Todd Parrott about its General Manager's job, but Kyle Petty says Parrott will not be joining the team. Petty continues to look for a GM for the team.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to view)(8-1-2003)
- Shakeup at PE? Richard Petty is not happy with the shape of things at Petty Enterprises [#43, #44, #45], and a shakeup may be coming.(Winston Salem Journal), see above story.(7-28-2003)
- Petty Not Changing Engine Builders: Kyle Petty said Friday he had no intention of removing Mike Ege Racing Engines as the engine builder for Petty Enterprises, despite his scathing statements last week at Daytona. Petty said he went public with his criticism of Ege because private efforts to get Ege's attention went unheeded. Petty said Ege's company responded by working 72 straight hours to bring better engines to Chicago. Petty practiced well, posting the 20th-best speed. But he and Fittipaldi still needed provisionals to make the field.(NASCAR.com)(7-12-2003)
- Petty: Engines to Blame UPDATE: Why did two Petty Enterprises cars [#43 and #44] miss the Pepsi 400 at Daytona? What went wrong? Simple, Kyle Petty said. The engines weren't up to snuff. "It's the way things go, especially at a restrictor-plate race," Petty said. "Somewhere, we've gotten behind on our engines, and we just ain't caught up. It's been showing everywhere we've been, but it really showed up here. Mike's engines have been really, really good, but these are the same cars that we ran here before. We lost ground this time. You can't say it's got a lot to do with the cars. I've got to put all this on our engine department." Petty Enterprises engines are built by Mike Ege Racing Engines, a company started before the 2002 season to exclusive construct engines for the Pettys. Ege came from Robert Yates Racing, long known as one of the best engine-building companies in NASCAR. But Ege hasn't gained any horsepower on restrictor-plate engines. That doesn't sound too bad, but when you consider everyone else is gaining a few horsepower, the Pettys slide backwards.(NASCAR.com)(7-4-2003)
UPDATE: After two of the team's three cars failed to qualify for the Pepsi 400, car owner and driver Kyle Petty was seen holding engine builder Mike Ege against the chain-linked fence in the garage area. Petty said Ege will continue to build engines for the team and that the two had a confrontation after time trials.(Florida Times Union)(7-5-2003)
- Hmiel in the #43 at Daytona: Shane Hmiel, the 23-year-old hard-charger whose #48 Innovative Motorsports team has been a major player in the Busch Series, will drive the Daytona race for Petty Enterprises in the #43 Berry Burst Cheerios Dodge in the July 5 400-mile Winston Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. Christian Fittipaldi, who has been driving the #43, will move to the #44 Bugles Dodge for this race. “We are very excited to have a young talent like Shane Hmiel drive the #43 for us at Daytona,” said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. “George deBidart and Innovative Motorsports were very gracious in allowing us to ‘borrow’ Shane for this event. They have a tremendous program there, so I know Shane will be used to what he sees on the Winston Cup side of the fence.” Hmiel will be driving a special paint scheme carrying the Berry Burst Cheerios colors. Normally, the #43 carries the Cheerios and Betty Crocker paint scheme.[see image of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery] “Daytona and Petty are some pretty special names, and I know Cheerios is especially excited since this is one of their Berry Burst races,” Hmiel said. “I’m really excited at this opportunity, and I am so glad George deBidart and Kyle Petty could work this out.” Hmiel is currently 11th in the NASCAR Busch Series points, notching two top-five finishes and five top-10s in his 16 starts this season.(Williams Company PR)(6-24-2003)
- Andretti out Fittipaldi in the #43: Christian Fittipaldi will drive the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge for most of the rest of this season, beginning with this weekend’s 400-mile race at Michigan Speedway. Petty Enterprises announced this morning Fittipaldi would replace John Andretti, who has driven for the team since 1998. "Christian Fittipaldi has shown, every time he has gotten in a Winston Cup car, including Phoenix, Texas and Daytona, that he has the talent to drive these cars and help us get to the front," said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "We look forward to showing everyone what Christian can do week in and week out." A driver to be determined will drive the #43 in the three races Fittipaldi drives the #44 Bugles Dodge, and his one race under the New York Yankees pinstripes colors. "This decision was finalized this week. We then informed General Mills of what we were going to do, and we are moving forward," Petty said. Fittipaldi, one of the top young names in Formula One and CART racing before moving to Petty Enterprises, will be starting his fourth NASCAR Winston Cup race this week. He ran in October’s race at Phoenix, as well as the season-opening Daytona 500 and April’s 500-miler at Texas Motor Speedway. "We appreciate what John has done for us," said Richard Petty. "We had some successes, won some poles and won a race but we feel like where we are right now it’s time for a change for Petty Enterprises and for John. "Speed and Fittipaldi go together," he continued. "He knows how to run fast, and he knows how to race fast. We feel he is going to do a great job for Petty Enterprises and for Cheerios and Betty Crocker."(Williams Company PR), no word on Andretti's plans.(6-10-2003)
- Fittipaldi to run three races with Bugles: Christian Fittipaldi, nephew of open-wheel legend Emerson Fittipaldi, will attempt to qualify a Petty Enterprises #44 Dodge in three upcoming events, via sponsorship from Bugles. The car will have a Sam Bass-designed Bugles paint scheme. The car will be entered in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, the EA Sports 500 at Talladega, and the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The agreement also includes Bugles sponsorship of the #44 Dodge for a race early in the 2004 season.(NASCAR PR) Also, Fittipaldi is slated to drive the #44 New York Yankees Dodge at Watkins Glen, see images of both cars on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(5-21-2003)
- New Rigs for Petty's: Freightliner Trucks has presented five spanking-new Freightliner Coronado heavy-duty trucks to Petty Enterprises. Three of the Coronado trucks are assigned to Petty Enterprises race teams, hauling Dodge Intrepid R/T racecars and equipment to NASCAR's Winston Cup races nationwide. The other two will see duty at various tracks around the country where Petty crews conduct tests on their cars and equipment. According to Mark Lampert, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Freightliner Trucks, the trucks are being furnished as part of a sponsorship agreement with Petty Enterprises. Each Coronado is accessorized and custom-painted with the distinctive graphics of the individual sponsors of Kyle Petty's #45 Georgia Pacific Dodge, John Andretti's #43 General Mills Dodge and Christian Fittapaldi's #44 Dodge. Freightliner Trucks is a division of Freightliner LLC, headquartered in Portland, Ore. Freightliner Trucks produces and markets Class 5-8 trucks and is a company of DaimlerChrysler.(Truckinginfo.com)(4-29-2003)
- Petty's and Fittipaldi still plan to race: Kyle Petty still plans to wnter Christian Fittipaldi in five to ten races this season. Petty has "multiple sponosrs' promoting the effort for each event. Petty says the team will NOT run without spoonsors.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to view/read)(3-2-2003)
- Yankee's Scheme: hearing Christian Fittipaldi will run a New York Yankees scheme Winston Cup car at Watkins Glen with the #44 Petty Dodge.(2-20-2003)
- Fittipaldi to Petree? UPDATE: Jeff Hammond reported on Speed Channel's Daytona Testing show [6:30pm/et] that is Andy Petree Racing finds a sponsor for the 2003 season, Christian Fittipaldi will drive the #55 Chevy the full season, with the Petty's OK.(1-14-2003)
UPDATE: after Christian Fittipaldi set the fastest time during the afternoon session, Petree said, "Hey, if he can do this, we can get a sponsor. He'll be driving my car all year long." That's a big statement for Andy Petree to make because Fittipaldi was scheduled to drive cars for Petty Enterprises this year. According to Petree, though, Kyle and Richard Petty have said if Andy Petree Racing can get a sponsor for this young man, they'd love to see him drive full-time in Winston Cup.(FoxSports)
AND no BGN? Fittipaldi said his plans with the Pettys are proceeding day by day. He said he does not expect to run Busch races, as originally planned. He will run the big-track ARCA races and will run various events (including the road courses) with the Pettys as he gains experience. The Pettys have two sponsored cars, the #43 Cheerios of John Andretti and the Georgia-Pacific #45 of Kyle Petty. Fittipaldi will run the #44, which at present has no full-time sponsorship, although Fittipaldi indicated that if sponsor presence is needed when he runs, Cheerios and/or Georgia-Pacific would provide paint and emblems.(Speed Channel)(1-15-2003)
- Pemberton leaves Petty Enterprises? UPDATE yes: it was reported on Sunday's LTN Network radio show that Robin Pemberton has left Petty Enterprises at Team Manager.(1-6-2003)
UPDATE: Petty Enterprises will further restructure its competitive setup, as part of the earlier announcements regarding its two full-time NASCAR Winston Cup teams and the Winston Cup-Busch-ARCA team of driver Christian Fittipaldi. As part of that structuring, Robin Pemberton will not return in 2003. "We really appreciate the knowledge and experience Robin brought to our race teams, and wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career," said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "We know he will be successful in anything he does, and we will continue working to bring that same type of success to all of our teams."(Williams Company)(1-6-2003)
- Petree has Daytona 500 sponsor, now needs a driver UPDATE 4 Fittipaldi to drive: NASCAR Winston Cup owner Andy Petree has secured a single-race sponsor for his #55 car in the Daytona 500. Andy Petree Racing, based in Henderson County, NC, has been scrambling in recent months to land a sponsorship after electrical distribution company Square D said it could no longer afford to run an entire schedule. The new sponsor's name will be announced after the new year. Petree now must find another driver for the #55 after Ken Schrader signed up Friday with the BAM Racing Dodge next year. Petree had been trying to line up Schrader to drive #55, APR general manager Steve Barkdoll said. "Schrader had the opportunity to drive the BAM car full time, so we told him to take it," Barkdoll said. First Petree was forced to lay off employees, now he's looking for investors for his team. Times are tough for Petree, still scrambling to keep his Winston Cup team afloat. After laying off 25 employees last month, Petree is hoping an outside investor can step in and keep things running. He has enough employees left to send Schrader to the Daytona 500, but more money will have to appear before he can plan for any more races.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(12-22-2002)
UPDATE: hearing the sponsor will be Monaco Coach, still no word on the driver.(12-24-2002)
UPDATE 2: Now that Ken Schrader has signed with [#49] BAM, Mike Wallace would be the logical choice to drive for Andy Petree in the Daytona 500. Sources close to Andy Petree Racing say that Monaco Coaches has signed to be the primary sponsor for Petree's #55 Chevy at Daytona and will remain with it as an associate throughout the year once major sponsorship has been found. Wallace had a solid 21st-place run for Petree last year at Daytona and will have the benefit of running the truck race for Schrader's team before the 500. Wallace, 43, also will continue to drive in the BGN in the #4 Biagi Brothers Racing Chevy, but the team is searching for sponsorship to compete beyond Biagi Brothers' 12-race commitment.(Sporting News)(12-30-2002)
UPDATE 3: been told the driver will not be Mike Wallace or Geoffrey Bodine and an announcement should be made soon on the driver.(1-3-2003)
UPDATE 4: Monaco Coach Corporation will sponsor Andy Petree Racing in 2003, beginning with next month’s NASCAR Winston Cup season-opening Daytona 500. The announcement was made today. Christian Fittipaldi, who is running for Petty Enterprises in a variety of series this season, will drive in the Daytona 500 for the team. Monaco will also sponsor APR in four CTS races in 2003. Petree is still seeking sponsorship for the full 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season and additional Truck series races. Monaco and Andy Petree have enjoyed a strong corporate relationship that has included a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory with Tony Stewart driving and associate sponsorships in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. "We’re excited to be in the Daytona 500 with a company like Monaco Coaches on the side of our car," said Petree. "Monaco has a commitment to quality and a strong belief in working hard to be the best. We do too, and that’s the type of businesses both of us want to be associated with. We feel Christian Fittipaldi will add a lot to our effort. He is a rookie at the big ovals but with his Formula One and Indy car background, he is no stranger to going fast," Petree said. "We’re looking for a very strong Speed Weeks." Petree emphasized his team is still seeking full-season sponsorship for 2003. "We have a firm belief in NASCAR fans and a firm belief in Andy Petree Racing," said Ed Kinney, Vice-President of Monaco. "One of the world’s fastest growing RV manufacturers taking a larger role in the world’s fastest growing sport is just a natural. We’re proud to be a part of NASCAR racing and a part of Andy Petree’s winning operation." The Coburg, Ore., based corporation has become one of the world’s leading RV manufacturer since it was founded in 1968, and remains one of the fastest-growing in the industry.(Williams Company)(1-6-2003)
- Fittipaldi to run 24 hours of Daytona: Road racing veteran Christian Fittipaldi of Sao Paulo, Brazil will be teaming up with Bell Motorsports for the 2003 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. The open-wheel veteran will be racing his first 24 hour event since his victory in a works Porsche at the 1993 24 Hours of Spa with co-drivers Uwe Alzen and Jean Pierre Jarrier. Car owner Forest Barber of Fort Worth, Tex., and Terry Borcheller of Phoenix will drive the No. 54 Chevrolet-powered Doran in the 2003 Rolex Sports Car Series. Brazilian Christian Fittipaldi and Belgian Didier Theys will join them for the Daytona 24-hour race. Fittipaldi has enjoyed success in open-wheel racing, with three seasons in Formula One, victories in the CART Championship Series and a second-place finish in the Indianapolis 500. He will switch to stock cars in 2003, driving the #44 Dodge Intrepid for Petty Enterprises in a combination of ARCA, Busch Series and Winston Cup events. The 2003 Rolex 24 at Daytona is set for Feb. 1 and 2 on the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course in Daytona Beach(Fittipaldi Online), Fittipaldi joins Kyle Petty and Kevin Lepage as NASCAR drivers competing in the race.(12-27-2002)
- Fittipaldi Testing at Daytona next week: Christian Fittipaldi, will be in Daytona Beach on December 20, 21 and 22 to test for Petty Enterprises. An extensive testing session in preparation for the 2003 season. Fittipaldi, 31, and a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, will be getting some seat time at the Daytona International Speedway for the first time as he gets ready for his ARCA debut in February. Fittipaldi and the Petty testing team will also be testing two Winston Cup cars as Christian takes most of the testing laps to further his experience with stock cars. Christian Fittipaldi will be driving a combination schedule consisting of select ARCA, Busch Series and Winston Cup events as he prepares to compete full-time in Winston Cup in 2004 for Petty Enterprises. Fittipaldi will be driving the #44 Dodge Intrepid. A primary sponsor is still being sought for 2003.(NASCAR.com)(12-17-2002)
- Biffle back in the #44 at Homestead: Greg Biffle, who clinched the BGN championship on Saturday, will drive the #44 Georgia Pacific 44 Dodge in the Cup season finale at Homestead. The race will mark Biffle's seventh Cup start of the year - the most allowed by NASCAR for a driver to claim rookie status the next season. Biffle is moving to Cup in 2003 with his Roush Racing [#16] team.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-11-2002)
- Fittipaldi Debut at Phoenix: Christian Fittipaldi will make his NASCAR Winston Cup debut this week at the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway. He will run the #44 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge in Sunday’s Checker Auto Parts 500. "I’m excited with the opportunity and looking forward to running my first Winston Cup race," said Fittipaldi, nephew of open wheel legend Emerson Fittipaldi. "I have tested several times and have run some Busch races. I am getting a feel for these cars, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they are like with 42 others on the track with you at the same time," he said. Fittipaldi will drive a combination Winston Cup, BGN and ARCA schedule next season for Petty Enterprises. Still looking for sponsorship for that effort, Fittipaldi and Petty Enterprises plan on using this unique schedule to fine-tune his stock car racing skills before running a full Winston Cup schedule in 2004. "Christian has been successful in Formula One and successful in CART, and we think he is going to be very successful in Winston Cup too," said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "He has adjusted to these big stock cars pretty quickly, and has tested well everywhere we have gone with him. His Phoenix test last week was really good, and he is going to have a good weekend. We are continuing our search for a sponsor for him for next year, and there has been a lot of interest in this program from potential sponsors," Petty continued. "We want to find someone who fits well with General Mills and Georgia-Pacific." Petty will drive the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge next season for Petty Enterprises.(Williams Company)(11-5-2002)
- Andretti and Fittipaldi stuff: #43-John Andretti hasn't signed a contract with Petty Enterprises for 2003, but Kyle Petty says: "He told me he was going to do our deal, so it's just a matter of time." Petty is optimistic about new driver Christian Fittipaldi, who will make his Winston Cup debut this weekend at Phoenix in the #44. Petty says Fittipaldi's test times there last week were competitive with other teams'.(Sporting News)(11-4-2002)
- Petty Jet Makes Emergency Landing UPDATE 2: Petty's corporate jet makes emergency landing: A corporate jet reportedly owned by Petty Enterprises and carrying race car driver Christian Fittipaldi has made an emergency landing at Sky Harbor International Airport.(AZ Family)(10-30-2002)
UPDATE: the Petty plane that made an emergency landing did so safely and with no injuries, info suggests that they blew a tire on takeoff, and after dumping fuel made a safe landing with minor damage to the wheel hub. Nobody was hurt.(Petty Enterprises source)
UPDATE 2: A private plane carrying members of Petty Racing made a successful emergency landing.Wednesday evening at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, AZ. No injuries were reported. The team had just completed two days of testing at Phoenix International Raceway with driver Christian Fittipaldi, Fittipaldi was not on the plane.(Williams Company PR)(10-31-2002)
- Petty Looking for sponsor combo's for the #44: Petty Enterprises is looking to have co-sponsors [such as the #12 in the BGN does] for the #44 Dodge that Christian Fittipaldi will pilot next season. Because Fittipaldi will make his stock-car debut by racing in Cup, BGN and ARCA next season, the Pettys are open to allowing various companies to sponsor the car based on series, or markets, to meet the estimated $10 million-$15 million they need for the program. "There are sponsors out there who have $2 million or $3 million to spend on a program and just can't afford to do anymore," CEO Kyle Petty said. "This is a way to open doors for those companies to come into the sport." The search has Bill Scott, head of Petty Marketing, working overtime in finding ways to sell the team to potential investors. At issue is finding new and inventive ways to give the sponsor the most for its money. The Pettys are at an advantage -- they're a household name in racing and can offer a lot to sponsors. "We have a brand name that we've built over 50 years in motorsports," Petty said. Companies who sign on with the family are often rewarded with employee rides at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and they host weekend sponsor conferences in which their investors get together to brainstorm how they can work together to better benefit themselves.(CBS Sportsline/AP)(10-30-2002)
- Phoenix Testing and Fittapaldi to run #44 next week UPDATE: Out West #24-Jeff Gordon Was Practicing at Phoenix along with #10-Johnny Benson, #49-Derrike Cope, and CART driver Christian Fittapaldi, Who is going to attempt to qualify the Petty Enterprises #44 Georgia Pacific Dodge there next week.(PRN's Garagepass Radio Show)(10-29-2002)
UPDATE - Teams Complete First Day of Testing at PIR: Four Cup Series teams and one BGN team rolled into Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) on Tuesday for the first of a two-day test session. #24-Jeff Gordon, #10-Johnny Benson, #44-Christian Fittipaldi, #49-Derrick Cope and [BGN] #97-PJ Jones all took to the one-mile oval in preparation for the NASCAR Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil Weekend, November 7-10. Gordon turned the fastest time of the day with a speed of 130.910mph, followed by #49-Cope at 129.032. Both #10-Benson and #44-Fittipaldi tested in race trim and had best speeds of 128.571. Fittipaldi will attempt to qualify the car for the November 10th Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil. Meanwhile, PJ Jones was the lone Busch Series competitor testing at PIR today in the new #97 Tuttle Motorsports entry. Jones lapped the track in 125.000mph. Testing for all teams will conclude tomorrow.(PIR PR)(10-30-2002)
- Biffle in the #44 at the Rock: Greg Biffle will be substituting in the #44 Petty Enterprises entry at North Carolina Speedway on Nov. 3.(Roush Racing Site)(10-23-2002)
UPDATE: The probable BGN champion will take another shot at the Cup Series in this week’s Pop Secret Popcorn 400 at the 1.017-mile North Carolina Speedway. Greg Biffle will drive the #44 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge for Petty Enterprises in the 400-mile race. He drove a Winston Cup car earlier this year in a relief role for Andy Petree Racing [#55], showing an ability to take the car towards the front. “We’re excited to have a driver with Greg’s ability and enthusiasm drive the Georgia-Pacific Dodge,” said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. “Ted (Musgrave) did a really solid job for us at Atlanta and we appreciate that. We feel Greg is going to do very well for us at Rockingham, too.” Musgrave drove the car last week at Atlanta, replacing Jerry Nadeau who has been injured in a private accident. “There is a lot of history that surrounds Petty Enterprises and it’s a privilege to drive for them” Biffle said. “I appreciate the opportunity, and I’m glad I’m available to help out. Rockingham is a very technical track, and the extra track time in the Winston Cup car should help me out in the Busch car. The experience will also give me a jump start on my rookie season next year, especially since Rockingham is the second race of the season.” Biffle leads the Busch standings by 119 points, and appears on his way to the championship before running Winston Cup full time for Roush Racing next season. He has four race victories in the series this year.(Williams Company PR)(10-27-2002)
- Musgrave in the #44 at the Rock? UPDATE nope, Atlanta hearing Ted Musgrave will drive the #44 Georgia Pacific Dodge at North Carloina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Nov 3rd. Sounds like a lot of traveling if this is true as Musgrave is scheduled to run the Truck Series race at California Speedway on Nov 2nd.(10-19-2002)
UPDATE: now hearing it'll be next week at Atlanta NOT Rockingham.(10-20-2002)
UPDATE 2: Jerry Nadeau's season ended after he injured a shoulder and ribs in a go-kart accident last week. Nadeau will drive the #36 Pontiac next season. Ted Musgrave will sub for Nadeau in the #44 Petty Dodge this weekend at Atlanta. Musgrave is committed to drive the #07 Dodge, owned by Smith, at Phoenix and Homestead.(Sporting News)(10-21-2002)
- Nadeau injured? Grissom in the #44 at Martinsville UPDATE 2 advised to site out rest of 2002: hearing Jerry Nadeau who driver the #44 Georgia Pacific Dodge for Petty was injured in some sort of Go Cart accident, was injured and will not be able to race at Martinsville, Stevee Grissom will supposedly sub for Nadeau in the #44.
UPDATE: Steve Grissom will drive Petty Enterprises’ #44 Georgia-Pacific Dodge at Martinsville, Va., this weekend. Jerry Nadeau, who had been driving for the NASCAR Winston Cup team since mid-July, was injured in a go-kart accident late Thursday, and his rib injuries have sidelined him. "Steve has done a great job for us before and he has good Winston Cup experience," said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "Martinsville has been a good track for him, and we think he will do a great job for us and Georgia-Pacific. We really appreciate him stepping in and helping us out so quickly." Grissom has Petty Enterprises’ best short-track finish this season, taking eighth at Richmond, Va., in May.(Williams Company PR)
UPDATE 2: Jerry Nadeau, injured Thursday while riding go karts, will not drive the #44 Dodge again this season, team president and CEO Kyle Petty said Friday. "He called me, said he was riding go-karts and was in the hospital," said Petty just before qualifying at Martinsville Speedway. "Then he called back later and said it was probably going to be (out) four to six weeks. Jerry's not driving for us next year, so the best thing for him to do is sit at home and do his stuff so he can come out strong next year. If he's smart he'll sit out the rest of the year. I think he will sit out the rest of the year. He hurt his shoulder and I think he tore some ligaments or some tendons or muscles. So it's going to have to repair itself. I think the doctors can do something for him, rehab and stuff. But it's a time thing. When you look at that, he should just take his time and heal himself." Nadeau is rumored to be taking over MB2 Motorsports' #36 Pontiac in 2003. Petty is uncertain whether Steve Grissom will drive the car in the coming weeks, due to his obligations with Jimmy Spencer's #34 BGN team. He was elated Grissom could drive this weekend.(NASCAR.com)(10-18-2002)
- More on the #36/01, Nadeau and the Army: The Pontiac Winston Cup team that Kenny Schrader has been racing with the past two years has finally signed a new sponsorship contract, with the U.S. Army, a multi-year deal according to team sources. However, Schrader will apparently not be the driver; that is expected to be Jerry Nadeau. The team is owned by Thomas Beard and managed by Jay Frye. Next year's color scheme and driver won't be the only things new - also the car number, which will be changed from 36 to 01. Where Schrader might wind up is still unclear.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-12-2002)
- New #44 Crew Chief: Gary Putnum, 32, has been named as crew chief for the #44 Georgia-Pacific Dodge team and driver Jerry Nadeau effective immediately. Greg Steadman, who had been crew chief, will now take the position of Manager of Shop Operations. Steadman’s duties will include overseeing the day-to-day activities of car preparation for all cars in the shop at Petty Enterprises. “The opportunity to bring a talent like Gary into a leadership position and further organize what we are doing at the race shop at the same time was too good to pass up,” said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. “Greg Steadman suggested we look at this kind of setup and when we saw we could add Gary to that mix, we went for it. This is the kind of move that might not seem as big as it is. This is a major positive move for Petty Enterprises, and one that will help us as we continue to move forward with our organization,” he added. Putnum joins Petty Enterprises after two years with MBV Motorsports, serving as car chief for driver Johnny Benson. A native of Vermont where he developed on the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series, Putnum has been working in NASCAR Winston Cup competition for seven years.(Williams Company PR)(9-11-2002)
- Petty Announcment on Saturday UPDATE 2: With "Silly Season" in high gear - and the Petty Enterprises name part of the talk - Kyle Petty and the #45 Sprint Dodge team head to Richmond this week for Saturday night’s Cup race. Some of that talk may be cleared up Saturday at the speedway. Petty Enterprises will make a media announcement at 3:30pm/et, Saturday, September 7, in the Infield Media Center. The thoughts of Sprint Dodge driver Kyle Petty heading into Richmond: "We’re going to make an announcement Saturday afternoon at Richmond. That’s a good example. Hearing what people think we’re going to announce or hearing what people think we’re doing, some of it is pretty funny. Some of it might be kind of close. Some of it is absolutely outrageous. There was one wild rumor a few weeks ago that we had some motorcycle company [Harley Davidson - posted here - DOH!] that was going to sponsor us. The rumor had everything all figured out - other than the fact that I ride a Victory and we have agreements with Victory, and the fact that if it isn’t a Victory, I’m not going to ride it. That would pretty much kill out any other company being involved. Once that filtered out, that particular rumor died out - for a while anyway. It’s coming up before, will come up again and won’t be any more true then than it was before or it is now. When we put the word out this week about our press conference, there is going to be a bunch of talk. ‘Kyle told me this’ or ‘Kyle told me that’ and then someone will take all of that and start trying to add it up. The problem is it doesn’t always add up the way it is supposed to. We feel we have a pretty significant thing or two to say Saturday, and that race fans - and the media and the rest of the garage - are going to want to know what we had to say. And it should make our plans clearer. You’re going to hear a lot of different ideas of what it might be and what we might say but, you know what? Nobody knows for sure until Saturday. Finally making the announcement ends it. That’s the only way to stop rumors. Well, most of the time anyway."(Williams Company)(9-3-2002)
UPDATE: Petty Enterprises is expected to announce Saturday that the Georgia-Pacific sponsorship will be switching from the #44 Dodge now driven by Jerry Nadeau to the #45 Dodge of Kyle Petty.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
UPDATE 2: Richard Petty, seven-time Winston Cup champion, and Georgia-Pacific Chairman and CEO A. D. “Pete” Correll announced that Kyle Petty, NASCAR champion and CEO of Petty Enterprises, will be behind the wheel of the #45 Georgia-Pacific Petty Dodge for the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Sharing the podium at the Richmond International Raceway, the Pettys and Correll unveiled plans to shift Georgia-Pacific’s sponsorship to the #45 car, with Petty Enterprises’ lead driver, Kyle, at the wheel. “Our partnership with Petty Enterprises is based on the common values our organizations share, including a strong commitment to family, community, hard work and performance,” Correll said.. “We’ve been proud to have the Georgia-Pacific name on a Petty Enterprises race car for the past couple of years. Having Kyle Petty behind the wheel is the perfect next step in our partnership.”
“We wanted to provide Georgia-Pacific with a competitive driver -- one who knows his way to victory lane and has the ability to win,” explained Richard Petty. “We wanted a driver that has a strong following among the millions of NASCAR fans that make our sport so popular. We wanted a leader. We wanted a driver that gave time and service back to the community, and inspired others to do the same.” The #45 Georgia-Pacific Petty Dodge, bearing a striking new design, will be unveiled Oct. 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway during Georgia-Pacific Qualifying Day. Although the #45 car will be our primary focus, by linking the Georgia-Pacific name with the other Petty Enterprises’ teams, we will be able to further spotlight our household brands such as Brawny, Dixie, Angel Soft and Vanity Fair, among others, through our participation in NASCAR racing,” Correll said. Georgia-Pacific joined the Winston Cup circuit two years ago as a primary sponsor of the #44 car with Petty Enterprises, after a few years of motorsports involvement, including a past sponsorship with Petty in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.(Williams Company) - no word on the fate or plans for the #44 or if John Andretti will be back in the #43, but Andretti will not be in the third Ganassi ride as the new driver was announced today.(9-7-2002)
- Petty Enterprises to two cars in 2003? UPDATE denied and more on Andretti: The Buzz has learned that Petty Enterprises may be making a sponsor switch between the #44 and #45 Dodge teams. Sprint has already announced they would not be returning to the #45 of Kyle Petty after this year. With current sponsor Georgia Pacific still signed on with Petty, the team may move the sponsor from the #44, currently being driven by Jerry Nadeau, to the #45 for the 2003 season. With Christian Fittipaldi coming aboard next year in Busch and ARCA competition, Petty Enterprises may not put a driver in the #44 at all and utilize the shop space and resources for Fittipaldi. An announcement is expected to be made in Richmond next week if a sponsor switch is going to be made.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(8-28-2002)
UPDATE: PRN's Garage Pass radio show reports that Kyle Petty said Petty Enterprises will have three Cup teams in 2003, contrary to reports and that they need three teams to make it work. Petty also said the main question is if John Andretti will return in 2003 to the #43. Andretti has a contract in hand from Petty but has not decided on his 2003 plans yet.(8-31-2002)
UPDATE 2: Petty Enterprises is waiting to see what John Andretti decides to do for next season. Andretti's contract is up at the end of this season, and he has been wooed by Rick Hendrick and Chip Ganassi, according to team sources. It is not clear when Andretti might have to make a decision.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-2-2002)
- Petty Enterprises to two cars in 2003? The Buzz has learned that Petty Enterprises may be making a sponsor switch between the #44 and #45 Dodge teams. Sprint has already announced they would not be returning to the #45 of Kyle Petty after this year. With current sponsor Georgia Pacific still signed on with Petty, the team may move the sponsor from the #44, currently being driven by Jerry Nadeau, to the #45 for the 2003 season. With Christian Fittipaldi coming aboard next year in Busch and ARCA competition, Petty Enterprises may not put a driver in the #44 at all and utilize the shop space and resources for Fittipaldi. An announcement is expected to be made in Richmond next week if a sponsor switch is going to be made.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(8-28-2002)
UPDATE: PRN's Garage Pass radio show reports that Kyle Petty said Petty Enterprises will have three Cup teams in 2003, contrary to reports and that they need three teams to make it work. Petty also said the main question is if John Andretti will return in 2003 to the #43. Andretti has a contract in hand from Petty but has not decided on his 2003 plans yet.(8-31-2002)
