#45 Team Past News and Rumors
NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
2007 News
Kyle Petty to host Sirius show from NY Auto Show: #45-Kyle Petty will host a special two-hour program live, with Jack Arute, from the SIRIUS Satellite Radio display at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, channel 128, Saturday, April 7, 2007 from 1:00 to 3:00pm/et. Following the live two-hour broadcast, there will be a two-hour autograph session with Petty at the SIRIUS display. The 2007 New York International Auto Show is being held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC, NY.(Sirius Radio PR)(4-6-2007)
No driver yet for #45 when Petty does TV UPDATE: Kyle Petty comments about a driver during his TNT Sabbatical: "A couple of guys are really good choices, and guys are calling and wanting to know what we're going to do and we really don't know yet. That was kind of the way we planned it. Just like I said at Daytona, there might be guys out here in the garage area that are fired by the time we get there that would be great for two races or one race or five races. We're really not any closer to that than we were."(Clear!Blue/Dodge Motorsports PR)(4-1-2007)
UPDATE: John Andretti, Jon Wood and Ken Schrader have emerged as possible candidates to fill in for Kyle Petty in June and July when he takes a break from driving to be an analyst for TNT's Nextel Cup broadcasts. Petty, whose previous television work has been widely praised, plans to work with the TNT crew for five races. Petty Enterprises Vice President Robbie Loomis said the team continues to evaluate choices. "A lot of questions come into play," he said. "Do you go with a guy like Bill Elliott or a guy who's been in Busch or truck? He [Jon Wood] is somebody we've talked about. Our relationship with the Wood guys has always been good, but the bottom line is we have to see some results on the track from these guys."(SceneDaily.com)(4-5-2007)
Petty may also look for invester: #45-Kyle Petty said Petty Enterprises may have to join Jack Roush, Richard Childress and other car owners and sign with a business partner, to keep making a go of it in this sport. Richard Petty was in Montreal this week checking out businesses [and at a Montreal Canadiens agem]. And fellow Dodge team owner Ray Evernham has been talking with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillet Jr. about a joint NASCAR business venture. Kyle Petty points to Petty Enterprises' close ties with Evernham Motorsports, particularly on the engine building side, and said it just makes sense to check out some of the people that Evernham is considering working with. "There's more to Petty Enterprises than just a race team going round in circles," Kyle Petty said, mentioning the company's other ventures. "So that makes Petty Enterprises a little different venture for a potential investor. "We have already folded our company into some of the stuff that Evernham Motorsports does, so as Ray begins to branch out and take on different partners, we need to find out who those partners are, and if there is an opportunity there we'd be foolish not to explore it."(Winston Salem Journal)
AND Richard Petty, owner of Petty Enterprises, was an invited guest of Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett at Tuesday's Rangers-Canadiens game at the Bell Centre, Journal de Montréal reported this week. Kyle Petty didn't shed much light on what his father and Gillett talked about Friday. "As (team owner) Ray (Evernham) begins to branch out and take on different partners, we need who his partners are if we want to stay in businesses (with Evernham )," said Petty, who drives the No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge. "If there's an opportunity there, then we would be idiots not to explore it. We are exploring different avenues with different people." The Petty and Evernham organizations — both Dodge teams — have grown closer in recent months. Evernham builds Petty's engines and the two teams are sharing engineering knowledge. "Those conversations are between George and Richard. I really don't know what's going on there," Evernham said. Petty Enterprises' last victory came here eight years ago, but Kyle Petty said his family's company is still attractive to suitors. "The main part of what we do is race around in circles," he said. "This is our main job, but we have the (Richard Petty) Driving Experience that has 1,000 to 1,500 dates. We are starting a defensive driving program. There's a lot of stuff going on outside of this and that makes Petty Enterprises a little bit different opportunity for an investor."(USA Today)(3-31-2007)
Bobby Labonte says Terry not contacted about #45 ride: #43-Bobby Labonte said he’s not spoken with his older brother Terry about pinch-hitting for Kyle Petty this summer when Petty steps out of the #45 Dodge to work as an analyst for TNT for five races.(SpeedTV.com)(2-9-2007)
Petty to TNT? to run less races UPDATE 4 yep: hearing that Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Petty Racing Dodge, will be part of the TNT broadcast crew that airs six Nextel Cup races in June and July of 2007 and that Petty would not drive in some or all those six races, being replaced by another driver, no idea who that driver may be. Bill Weber will return as TNT's play-by-play announcer and Wally Dallenbach returns as a race analyst.(1-20-2007)
UPDATE: from a Clear!Blue/Dodge PR, Kyle Petty quotes during the Nextel Media Tour, day 2:
DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO QUIT DRIVING? "#All that stuff is back like it was last year. Wells Fargo has come back. We have a multi-year deal with Wells Fargo, with Marathon, with Tire Kingdom, with Coca-Cola. We had a huge promotion around the Nextel All-Star race last year with Coca-Cola. There is so much going on right now. I'm like one of those guys if you ever thought about cutting back, it just keeps getting busier with camp with Victory Junction with everything we do there. With everything that's going on at Petty Enterprises, that's good. I'm glad that's story keeps moving because last year about this same time this was a hot story."
DO YOU HAVE OPTIONS TO WORK IN TV? "I've talked to the TNT people about numerous options. I did four or five races for them last year in the Busch Series. We had talked a month or so ago and obviously with Benny's passing and with the way things have gone there hasn't been a lot of communication lately. If I have an opportunity to do some stuff with them I would more than welcome the opportunity to do something at some point in time. If that's this year, great. If it's in two years or 10 years, that's great, too. I just want to keep that option open. I could possibly do anything. There's a couple of years there I sat out 10 or 15 just because I wasn't fast enough. I can sit out any amount."(Clear!Blue/Dodge PR)(1-24-2007)
UPDATE 2: Kyle Petty said he's intrigued by the idea of becoming a broadcaster and might make the change, on a part-time basis, as early as this summer. Petty said he has talked to Turner Sports officials about a position. "They've got six or seven races right in the middle of the season; they've got NBA stuff; they've got golf stuff," Petty said. "If I wanted to go do something different and keep Kyle Petty's face in the public, what better place to do it than a place like that?" Jeff Pomeroy, senior director of public relations for Turner Sports, said there have been preliminary discussions with Petty, who has broadcast for the company in the past, but no final determination has been made.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(1-25-2007)
UPDATE 3: TNT will make a major announcement regarding its 2007 NASCAR coverage. TNT's coverage of six Nextel Cup Series races begins June 10 with racing from Pocono followed by races at Michigan, Sonoma, New Hampshire, Daytona and Chicago.(TNT PR)
AND: #45-Kyle Petty figures driving in a Nextel Cup race while he calls it on TV won't be that big a deal. So TNT will formally announce Wednesday that Petty will be an analyst on its six Cup races this summer, and call one — the June 24 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, Calif. — as he races in it. "There's constant communication between drivers and their spotters and crew chiefs anyway," says Petty, 47. "Really, just pushing another button and talking to millions of people won't be a ton different. Maybe I'll have to clean up my language." Petty told TNT he didn't want to miss that race because he likes road courses. And, in planning to run all Cup races except ones he'll call for TNT, he says it's "still my #1 priority to drive cars. Or maybe I'd be begging for a seat in the (TV) booth." Kyle kept the idea of working on TV "at arm's length" and says he only appeared on some TNT Busch Series races this summer because TNT analyst Benny Parsons— whom Kyle says he's known "forever" — needed an occasional fill-in. Parsons was diagnosed with lung cancer in July and died last month after months of treatment that seemed to have been going successfully.
Kyle says he's not a replacement: "I'll be really clear about this: Nobody can fill Benny's shoes. I'm not taking his place. I'm in his seat, but Benny will always be there." As an announcer, Petty says he'll avoid "guessing what drivers are thinking" and remember TV announcers "are just there for decoration." And, he says, he might want to pursue future TV work because it fits with his overall goal in life: "If I can float through and say I never had a full-time job, I'll see myself as successful."(USA Today)(2-7-2007)
UPDATE 4: Turner Network Television (TNT) announced today a multi-year contract agreement with Nextel Cup Series driver Kyle Petty to serve as an analyst for the network's Nextel Cup Series race coverage. Petty will take a five-week hiatus as driver of the #45 Wells Fargo/Marathon/Tire Kingdom Dodge car for Petty Enterprises, marking the first time a Petty will not be behind the wheel in the Nextel Cup Series for an extended period of time since his grandfather, Lee Petty, raced in NASCAR's Elite Series in 1949. Kyle Petty will join announcers Bill Weber (play-by-play) and Wally Dallenbach (analyst) for TNT's six consecutive Nextel Cup Series races in 2007, beginning on Sunday, June 10 from Pocono Raceway and concluding on July 15 from the Chicagoland Speedway. On Sunday, June 24, Petty will provide analysis from behind the wheel of his #45 Dodge throughout TNT's coverage of the Nextel Cup Series race live from Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, CA. Petty previously served as an analyst alongside Weber and Dallenbach in 2006 for five Busch Series races on TNT.
"This is great opportunity to join the TNT team. We've worked very closely with our partners Wells Fargo, Marathon and Tire Kingdom to make sure that the #45 Dodge is secure on the track while at the same time I can move into this new role," said Kyle Petty. "I started working with Turner last season and it was a great relationship from the beginning. I had a great time with Wally and Bill in the booth and it has led to this opportunity. Everyone at TNT has been great to work with, and I'm looking forward to something new in my career."
"We welcome Kyle to the Turner Sports family and look forward to continuing the long and positive relationship we have had with the Petty family during Turner's 23 years of broadcasting NASCAR racing," said David Levy, president of Turner Sports. "Kyle is a class act both on and off the track, and we are happy to be associated with him."
"Kyle is known throughout NASCAR for his outspoken personality and will bring TNT's coverage a unique 'straight from the car' perspective for our six Nextel Cup Series races this year," said Jeff Behnke, Turner Sports executive producer. "Pairing Kyle with Bill and Wally will provide fans with both an informative and entertaining booth."
Hailing from a long line of NASCAR racers, including grandfather Lee Petty and father and seven-time NASCAR Champion Richard Petty, Kyle has remained a prominent figure on the NASCAR racing scene for the past 27 years with eight track victories, 51 top-five finishes and 172 top-10 finishes. In recent years, his off-the-track activities have included serving as guest host of Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and host of NASCAR Night at Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves. Petty has received numerous accolades for his charitable contributions, including the Victory Junction Gang which he founded in 1999 in honor of his late son, Adam, a NASCAR driver in his own right. Kyle was named "Most Caring Athlete" by USA Weekend in 2004 and "Person of the Year" by NASCAR Illustrated in 2000 and 1999. TNT's 2007 Summer Six-Pack of Nextel Cup Series racing: Pocono (6/10); MIS (6/17), Sonoma (6/24); NHIS (7/1); Daytona (7/7) and Chicago (7/15).(TNT PR), no driver has been named for the five races Petty will miss, have heard no rumors...yet.(2-7-2007)
Wells Fargo teams up with Petty again in 2007: Wells Fargo & Company and Petty Enterprises announced the extension of their NASCAR sponsorship arrangement. The 2007 season represents the fifth year the financial services company has sponsored
Petty Enterprises, which includes the Kyle Petty and Bobby Labonte cars as well as a partnership with The King of NASCAR, Richard Petty. Kyle Petty's #45 will carry a full-car red and gold Wells Fargo paint scheme in 12 races during the 2007 season as the car's primary sponsor, starting with the Daytona 500. Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $482
billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance to more than 23 million customers from more than 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. "We're proud to have Wells Fargo continue its sponsorship of Petty Enterprises," said Kyle Petty. "They are the premier financial services company in the U.S. and an excellent partner with our other top-quality sponsors, like General Mills, Marathon Oil, Tire Kingdom and Coca Cola."(Petty Enterprises/Wells Fargo PR)(2-6-2007)
Olympia Steel Buildings join Petty's as assoc sponsor: Olympia Steel Buildings announced that they have entered an agreement with Petty Enterprises to be the "Official Steel Building" of Petty Enterprises and an associate sponsor for drivers #43-Bobby Labonte and #45-Kyle Petty for the 2007 Nextel Cup season. Under the agreement with Petty Enterprises, the Olympia Steel Buildings logo will be featured on the uniform sleeve of both Bobby Labonte and Kyle Petty. In addition, discounts for Olympia Steel Buildings will be given to 2007 Richard Petty Driving Experience participants and NASCAR fans who are visitors to Olympia's website www.olympiabuildings.com.(Moore Consulting Group PR)(2-6-2007)
Petty's may now run Busch Series: One team--Petty Enterprises--stands to gain when Busch drops out of the Busch Series after this season. The company, which does not associate with alcohol-based advertising [also No Bud sticker on the #43 or #45, so even if a pole is won, doesn't get pole award or entry into Bud Shootout], long has resisted running in the series because of the title sponsor. Now, Petty Enterprises might run in the series, which could help its Cup efforts.(Sporting News), Kyle Petty did own a Busch team, #45 Spree/Sprint Chevy] in 1999-2000 with Adam Petty before he was killed practicing at NHIS in May 2000, then Kyle took over the #45 for 15 races to finish out the season. They last ran in the series in 2001 with Steve Grissom in the #45 at Daytona.(2-5-2007)
Petty has seven race deal from tire companies UPDATE: Tire Kingdom/NTB/Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers are scheduled to sponsor #45-Kyle Petty in the Petty Enterprises Dodge for seven races in 2007. NTB [ National Tire and Battery] will be the sponsor at four races: Atlanta (3/18), Talladega (4/29), Chicago (7/15) and Texas (11/4); Tire Kingdom at Daytona in July and Charlotte in Oct. Merchant's Tire ay Richmond in May.(NTB Racing site), see images of the schemes on my #45 Team Schemes page.(2-1-2007)
UPDATE: Tire Kingdom, the largest independent tire and automotive services retailer in the United States, will once again serve as a primary sponsor on the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge driven by Kyle Petty in 2007. Tire Kingdom is a division of TBC Corporation and is the largest tire dealer in the country with over 650 locations under the Tire Kingdom, National Tire and Battery and Merchants Tires and Auto Center names. All names will appear as primary sponsors on Petty's Dodge this season joining Wells Fargo and Marathon as primary sponsors. Tire Kingdom and its names stores will serve as primary sponsor in seven races throughout the season and be an associate throughout the entire season [see list above]. "Tire Kingdom has been great for us so far," said Petty, driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge. "They became a big partner for us last season and we're looking to grow the relationship this season. Their stores have a national presence and we see that in the broad number of races that they will serve as a primary. We hope this partnership helps leverage them as the leading tire and automotive services retailer in the nation."(Petty Racing PR)(2-3-2007)
Petty Racing ready for 2007: Track testing, COT testing, wind tunnel testing; it's all over. The month of January had everyone at Petty Enterprises preparing the #45 Wells Fargo/Marathon/Tire Kingdom Dodge and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge for the 2007 racing season. The preparation is complete and both teams are looking forward to the beginning of the season. "The guys are committed to winning in 2007," said Executive Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis. "We saw good signs in both preseason test sessions (Daytona International Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway) and we are in a good position to really have strong runs the first three races. We have hired new over-the-wall guys to make our pit stops better. We have hired in the engineering department and in the shop. All the guys want to show everyone what we have." Drivers Kyle Petty and Bobby Labonte both returned from Las Vegas testing knowing that the next time they are on track it counts. "It's another season for everyone," said Petty. "We have had the time to make changes and get better. I've said that we have better people at Petty Enterprises. We have great guys working on both teams. The '45' car was pretty good in Vegas testing, and we've made final changes to the Daytona car. As a driver you dream of the Daytona 500. It's here and we know what it takes to win it." Petty Enterprises has 11 wins at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. Labonte is a former runner-up in the event.
"We've been up front at Daytona with this Cheerios car and Vegas was a good learning experience," said Labonte. "We have done a lot of testing and a lot of preparation for the next few weeks. We have more experience as a team and that is a big positive step for us. The Vegas test was a good chance for us to see that new track configuration and surface. I'm glad we had the chance to get out there and test it before the race. That will help us once we go back. We want to get back to racing after what we did at the end of 2006."(Petty Racing PR)(2-2-2007)
Petty selects Motorcycle for his 2007 Kyle Petty Charity Ride: Kyle Petty announced he will ride a new Victory Vision luxury touring motorcycle during this year's Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. The new Victory Vision family of motorcycles - both the new Victory Vision Tour and the new Victory Vision Street - were unveiled to consumers and press members [recently] with the help of Kyle and Richard Petty at the International Motorcycle Show in New York City. Both bikes boast Victory's own thunderous Freedom V-Twin engine, unmatched comfort and breakthrough styling, redefining what it means to be an American touring bike. The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual motorcycle ride that raises money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Each year, more than 250 motorcyclists from around the U.S. join Petty on the cross-country trip and have raised more than $8 million to date. Along the way, Petty and the bikers stop to visit with motorcycle and NASCAR fans across the U.S. and spread the word about the ride and the mission to raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp.(Weber Shandwick PR)(1-26-2007)
Petty Enterprises Moving?..to Charlotte area? from a Clear!Blue/Dodge PR, Robbie Loomis quotes during the Nextel Media Tour, day 2:
DO YOU EVER ASK YOURSELF IF IT'S ALL WORTH IT? "It's definitely all worth it. We've talked about that about planning and organizing. We hope the next time we have one of these it's in that new facility. That's one of the things we want to work toward. At the same time, we obviously want to get ready for the Daytona 500, the Bristol race, other things along the way, but that's one of our major goals to be in our new facility. It would definitely be toward the south, whether it be Salisbury or Charlotte. It's a long way away. Right now we have to be focused on winning the Daytona 500. That's first and foremost on our minds."
COMMENT ON RELOCATING PETTY ENTERPRISES "Richard knows he needs to do it. He knows he needs the competition thing to keep attracting and drawing the better people. Deep down inside does he want to do it? No, but he knows it's something that needs to be done to raise the level of the team and keep building on that foundation we've got started. It would be at least 12-18 months before we have ground breaking. I think there will always be something here (Level Cross, N.C.). That's always been Richard's biggest concern. If we come up with the planned facility, the big thing is going to be what goes on here. Kyle and Bobby both love road racing. I would love nothing more to have a series here so the boys here could work on those cars, the ones that don't want to transfer. I think this will be a combination of a race shop and museum."
COMMENT ON DRIVER DEVELOPMENT "We are watching a couple of young drivers. We're very high on Chase Miller. We think he's got a lot of natural raw talent, but it's got to be developed."(Clear!Blue/Dodge PR)(1-24-2007)
Marathon signs with Petty for two years, 14 races in 2007: Marathon Oil Corporation announced that the Company has signed a two-year contract with Petty Enterprises LLC. The contract, covering the 2007 and 2008 NASCAR racing seasons, sponsors the #45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge driven by Kyle Petty. "Continuing to partner with the legendary Richard Petty and his race team brings a great deal of added value to Marathon's NASCAR sponsorship," said Mary Ellen Peters, MPC senior vice president, Marketing. The #45 car will carry the Marathon Brand as the primary sponsor for 14 races [in 2007]. "We can't thank Marathon enough for their added support in 2007," said Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Marathon Dodge Charger. "Marathon's primary sponsorship of more races shows increased confidence in our commitment to
winning at Petty Enterprises. We're proud to partner with Marathon in NASCAR. We are looking forward to their partnership in the years to come."(PRN Newswire)(1-23-2007)
2006 News
Kurt Busch Presents "Impact Athlete Award" to Kyle Petty: A special "Impact Athlete Award" presentation by 2004 NASCAR champion Kurt Busch to popular veteran driver/humanitarian Kyle Petty was among the highlights of Wednesday night's 2006 Southern Sports Awards. The two-hour made-for-TV ceremony was held at the Duke Family Performance Hall here at Davidson College. A devoted supporter of the Victory Junction Gang Camp, Busch announced last May that his Kurt Busch Foundation had donated $1 million to the camp to create a 28,000-square-foot, climate-controlled athletic facility at the 72-acre camp located in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. Included among the other 2006 Southern Sports Awards luminaries announced on Wednesday night were Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (Fan Favorite), Wake Forest head football coach Jim Grobe (Coach of the Year), NASCAR rookie competitor Denny Hamlin (Newcomer of the Year), the Columbus (Ga.) Little League All Stars (Amateur Team of the Year) and the Hendrick Motorsports #48 NASCAR Team (Pro Team of the Year). Hosted by James Carville, Finesse Mitchell and Jon Reep, the 2006 Southern Sports Awards two-hour TV special will air in 45 markets and affiliates beginning Saturday (December 9). Visit www.SouthernSportsAwards.com for a complete list of markets, stations and air times [Charlotte, WJZY the CW on 12/16 at 8:00pm/et].(TRPR)(12-8-2006)
Wells Fargo and Marathon Oil looks like back as sponsors of #45: got two diescat images of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge for 2007 [among many others], one schemes is for Wells Fargo and the other is for Marathon Spirit Oil. Both were part of a many sponsorship package for Petty in 2006. Supposedly Schwan's will not return, but have heard nothing official. See the images on my #45 Team Schemes page.(11-30-2006)
Schwan's not sponsoring a team in 2007? hearing that Schwan's Home Service, who sponsored #45-Kyle Petty in five 2006 races, will not sponsor any Nextel Cup team in 2007.(11-22-2006)
Petty scheme at Homestead UPDATE: #45-Kyle Petty will run a petty blue Dodge with many of his 2006 sponsors featured
UPDATE: In appreciation of all primary sponsorships partners on the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge this season the car will feature primary sponsorship logos of Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil, Wells Fargo, Tire Kingdom and Schwan's at Homestead.(Petty Racing PR), see an image of the car on my #45 Team Schemes page.(11-14-2006)
Petty to deliever food in Wisconsin and Texas: Today, Kyle Petty starts his morning by loading a Schwan's Home Service truck. After that, he'll help drive the route, delivering the goods. Petty, who drives the #45 Schwan's car, will be here because customer service managers at the Schwan's sales and distribution center in Ashwaubenon won a regional sales contest. After his work day is finished, Petty will meet fans, sign autographs and display his show car from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Simon Bay Park Square mall in Ashwaubenon. Schwan's also will have a truckload sale of frozen foods during the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to Holiday House, which helps people with disabilities in Manitowoc County, and Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp in North Carolina. It'll be good practice for Petty, who'll do it all over again the next day [Nov 1st] with a Schwan's driver in Beaumont, Texas.(Green Bay Gazette)(10-31-2006)
Petty Enterprises Notes: #43-Bobby Labonte finished third Sunday at Marrtinsville to score his fourth top 10 finish in the last five races.
- Labonte has scored two consecutive top five finishes- the first time since Fontanta (Race 10) and Richmond (Race 11) of 2004
- The Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team has a total of 8 top 10 finishes this season. Kyle Petty has two top-10 finishes this season.
- Petty Enterprises has a total of 10 top 10 finishes so far in 2006. That total is the most for the organization since 1999 when they had 19 with John Andretti and Kyle Petty
- Sunday's Subway 500 was the first time both PE cars finished in the Top-10 since Phoenix of 1999 (Race 32). Kyle Petty finished 7th and John Andretti 8th in that race.
- Labonte's finish on Sunday was the best for PE since Bristol (Race Six) of 2001 when Andretti finished second.(Moore Consulting Group/Petty Racing PR)(10-23-2006)
Kyle Petty To Be Honored: Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge and Co-Founder of the Victory Junction Gang Camp will be one of three sports professionals honored during the 17th annual CATCH Night of Champions dinner Wednesday night, October 18 in Dearborn, Michigan. CATCH is a children's charity that was founded in 1987 by then Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson. CATCH raises funds to provide a current and future source of revenue to help improve the quality of life for sick, injured and at-risk pediatric patients who receive care from Children's Hospital of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital. Included is the CATCH Pediatric Mobile Health Programs that provide basic health services for Detroit children who experience barriers to accessing health care. Petty, along with Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios and former Detroit Lion and businessman Robert Porcher will be recognized for their achievements in their respective sports, but more importantly for their success in helping needy children. "This is an honor to be a part of this night," said Petty. "CATCH is a great organization that helps children in need. Sparky (Anderson, founder of CATCH) has the heart of a champion. We may come from all different sports backgrounds, but we all share the same goal. I feel blessed to be a part of this event." Petty is an eight-time winner in the Nextel Cup Series and in 2004 opened the doors to the Victory Junction Gang Camp for chronically and terminal-ill children.(Moore Consulting Group PR)(10-17-2006)
Kyle Petty to Share Four of His Favorite Films on TCM: Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will take viewers on a ride with NASCAR driver Kyle Petty on Saturday, Sept. 16, as he introduces and discusses with TCM weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz his love for the quintessential Hollywood classic Casablanca to the controversial cult film Freaks (1932). Petty exchanges his racecar driving status for a role as a devoted fan of classic film by hand-picking four of his favorite movies and sharing with viewers what he has come to love about each one.
The film schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):
12pm: Freaks (1932)
1:15pm: Grand Prix (1966)
4:30pm: D.O.A. (1950)
6pm: Casablanca (1942)
Petty's day of co-hosting with Ben Mankiewicz on TCM will precede the first race in the chase for the Nextel Cup Championship.
Coverage begins live on Sept. 17 at 12:30pm/et on TNT.(Turner PR)(9-13-2006)
Labonte and Petty get new Crew Chiefs: In an effort to prepare for the 2007 season, Petty Enterprises announces crew chief changes on both the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge. Veteran Bill Wilburn has been hired to crew chief Kyle Petty and the #45 Dodge team. In addition, championship crew chief Paul Andrews will now handle the same duties for #43-Bobby Labonte. Greg Steadman returns to his position as Director of Competition. The changes are effective immediately.(Moore Consulting Group/Petty Racing PR)(9-11-2006)
Petty Brings New Colors to Michigan: This weekend, Kyle Petty and the #45 Marathon American Spirit Oil Dodge team
will head to the two-mile Michigan International Speedway, located in the city of Brooklyn, for Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400. Petty will debut the Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil scheme for the first time this season. It's a "home" race for the brand because Marathon has a regional office located in nearby Findlay, Ohio. Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil will be the primary sponsor for three more races this season and an associate on both cars [#43 and #45] the rest of the year.(Petty Racing/Moore Consulting Group PR), see an imgae of the car on my #45 Team Schemes page.(8-16-2006)
Petty Brings New Colors to Michigan: This weekend, Kyle Petty and the #45 Marathon American Spirit Oil Dodge team
will head to the two-mile Michigan International Speedway, located in the city of Brooklyn, for Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400. Petty will debut the Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil scheme for the first time this season. It's a "home" race for the brand because Marathon has a regional office located in nearby Findlay, Ohio. Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil will be the primary sponsor for three more races this season and an associate on both cars [#43 and #45] the rest of the year.(Petty Racing/Moore Consulting Group PR)(8-16-2006)
#51 Team ceases operations, sponsorship to Petty's UPDATE: been told that the #51 Competitive Edge Motorsports team has ceased operations and have confirmed that Marathon Petroleum Company will become major associate sponsor with Petty Enterprises with the #45 Dodge of Kyle Petty being most involved in the sponsorship as an associate sponsor at most races and primary sponsor of the #45 for a few races with the #43 Dodge of Bobby Labonte featuring the Marathon Petroleum Company logo at some races.(8-1-2006)
UPDATE: Marathon Petroleum Company announced that the company's sponsorship in the Nextel Cup series is being moved to a new race team. The new sponsorship will begin with the Allstate 400 race at the Brickyard in Indianapolis. “Marathon is proud to move our sponsorship to the #45 Petty Enterprises team, with driver Kyle Petty,” said Mary Ellen Peters, senior vice president, Marketing. “The team is owned by Richard Petty, the man known as the ‘King of NASCAR.' We believe this move provides a continued presence for Marathon in all of the remaining races this season.” In addition to the Brickyard assosiate sponsorship [Tire KIngdom is the primary at Indy], the #45 car will carry the Marathon Brand as the primary sponsor for four races: Michigan, Bristol, Richmond, and Atlanta. Marathon also will be an associate sponsor on the car for this season's remaining races. “We're grateful that Competitive Edge Motorsports is allowing Marathon Oil to transfer their sponsorship,” said Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge. “We are looking forward to developing a strong partnership with Marathon , starting this weekend at one of the biggest events of the season.”(Petty Racing PR)(8-3-2006)
Petty would step down as driver in right situation: How far would Kyle Petty go to insure the restoration of Petty Enterprises to the glory years of Richard Petty's seven Winston Cup (now NEXTEL Cup) Championships? Would he surrender the #45 Dodge to another driver and hang up his helmet? "Yes, I would retire tomorrow if it would help Bobby Labonte win races and Petty Enterprises contend for the championship," Petty confirmed candidly when asked if he was willing to step out of his ride under the right circumstances. What would be the right circumstances? Petty said he would gladly step aside as a NEXTEL Cup Series driver if the team was able to sign a marquee driver and sponsor capable of furthering the efforts of Bobby Labonte, Todd Parrott, Robbie Loomis and the rest of the team in Randleman, NC. "And," he added, "If I retired from this I would go racing in the Grand Am Series or something like that. But, once I retired from NEXTEL Cup that would be it. If I said, 'I'm done completely then I would be done completely. If I said I would run three or four races then I would only run three or four races.'"(CircleTrackPlus.com)(7-22-2006)
Petty still looking for sponsors: Petty Enterprises continues to look for sponsorship of Kyle Petty's #45-car for races at Chicago, New Hampshire, Phoenix and Homestead.(Roanoke Times)(6-14-2006)
NTB colors for Petty at Pocono: #45-Kyle Petty will be carrying the colors of National Tire and Battery for the second time this season. The first race with National Tire and Battery as a sponsor Petty finished eighth at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Moore Consulting Group/Petty Racing PR), see an image of the car on my #45 Team Schemes page.(6-6-2006)
Petty wins VOTE more: Kyle Petty and the #45 MyCokeRewards Dodge finished 22nd in the Nextel Open. At the conclusion of the race Petty was announced as the winner of the Nextel Fan Vote. Petty was then awarded the opportunity to race in the Nextel All-Star Challenge. Comments from Petty after he learned of the fan vote: "I think this is big, but I think it's big for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. We just appreciate all the fans that voted. I really hope they know how much they have helped touch the lives of the children that will be affected by this. Coca-Cola and our other partners, Wells Fargo, Schwan's and Tire Kingdom have really supported this program. I think this really shows how much people really care about the camp and the kids. I really believe the fans were voting for the camp and not for Kyle Petty. That really means a lot. We just really, really, appreciate all the fans that voted."(Moore Consulting Group)
NOTE: have not seen any voting totals as of yet.(5-20-2006)
UPDATE: As the result of the successful “Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction” campaign, Kyle Petty captured the 2006 Nextel All-Star Challenge fan vote and drove the MyCokeRewards #45 Dodge car to an eighth place finish in the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway today. Through tremendous support from family, friends, sponsors, NASCAR fans and members of the NASCAR community, Petty earned the wildcard spot in the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge. As a result, Coca-Cola, Schwan's, Wells Fargo and Tire Kingdom are donating $275,000 to the Victory Junction Gang Camp -- a camp for chronically and critically-ill children. Kyle and Petty Enterprises also donated the purse money won in the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge from Petty's eighth place finish, bringing the total donation to Victory Junction to $398.967. “This campaign was all about the kids,” said Petty. “Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Schwan's and Tire Kingdom developed a great program to honor me and reward Victory Junction at the same time. The money being donated will go towards sending more kids to the camp and continuing our overall mission of serving chronically and critically-ill children.” In addition to driving the #45 Dodge's special MyCokeRewards primary sponsorship paint scheme in the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, Petty will carry the scheme in the Coca-Cola 600 on May 28. Petty had a strong run in the All-Star Challenge. Petty started 20 th , but the team only had one way to go. Petty's MyCokeRewards Dodge was handling well and the car was to the liking of Petty. Petty moved up as he stayed patient and cars crashed. Petty's Dodge was also faster on longer runs. He made passed on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and moved in on Dale Jarrett in the final 20 lap segment. Petty finished a strong 8th.(Moore Consulting Group/Petty Racing PR)
RESULTS: the top vote getters from nascar.com:
1. #45-Kyle Petty 101,966
2. #1-Martin Truex Jr. 50,018
3. #38-Elliott Sadler 38,797
4. #11-Denny Hamlin 18,863
5. #31-Jeff Burton 18,376
6. #7-Robby Gordon 15,401
7. #49-Ken Schrader 10,021
8. #25-Brian Vickers 18,616
9. #07-Clint Bowyer 7,374
10. #42-Casey Mears 7,310
(NASCAR.com)(5-22-2006)
Petty's and Toyota? DENIED: Kyle Petty told Benny Parsons on his nationally syndicated "Fast Talk" radio program [PRN] Monday night that Petty Enterprises would certainly consider switching to Toyota if it made the team more competitive. While Petty said nothing is currently on the horizon with the Japanese manufacturer, PE would be open to doing anything to help the team win.(RacingOne)(5-16-2006)
UPDATE: Kyle Petty told Sirius Speedway (MRN/Sirius Satellite Radio) Tuesday that comments attributed to him concerning interest in Toyota were taken out of context. "Benny Parsons asked me if I would be interested in talking to Toyota, if it would benefit the team," said Petty. "I told him that I would never say never, but that we are extremely happy with what we have (with Dodge) and have
no plans to change. We haven't talked to anyone at Toyota, and we don't plan to."(MRN/Sirius Satellite Radio)(5-17-2006)
Kyle and Pattie Petty Honored: Action for Children North Carolina, North Carolina's premier statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the well-being of children and youth, will honor NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and wife Pattie Petty with the inaugural North Carolina Children's Lifetime Legacy Award this Thursday [May 18th] in Charlotte. The award will be given to the Pettys in recognition for their founding of and continued commitment to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, located on 75 acres in Randleman, N.C., in the Piedmont Triad area. The Children's Lifetime Legacy Award event will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2006, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Founders Hall, located in the Bank of America Corporate Center in downtown Charlotte. Tickets to the
benefit are $200/individual and $350/couple. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Action for Children. For more information, visit www.ncchild.org.(VJGC PR)(5-17-2006)
Petty looking for a sponsor for select races: The #45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty has announced sponsorship opportunities for selected races remaining in 2006. The up-coming months offer one-of-a-kind opportunities to be a part of the
resurging Petty Enterprises organization. "We have some races that are open throughout the rest of the season", said Petty. "We were left to fill a void a few weeks ago when a sponsorship deal for us didn't pan out. It was supposed to be about a nine-race deal. That left us to fill some holes, but fortunately those holes are great opportunities for companies to capitalize on." Races include the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, the Sharpie 500 at Bristol and the season-ending Ford 400
at Homestead-Miami. Other races include events in major markets such as Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Richmond. "We are now looking for another new partner to join the Petty family. We are working hard to do that for this season. We feel that we offer something
different at Petty Enterprises. We are looking for a partner that wants to be a part of the excitement that we're building," said Petty. The team will next participate in this weekend's All-Star activities at the Lowe's Motor Speedway [with Coca-Cola as the sponsor]. In fact, Petty's sponsors have put up $250,000 to be donated to Victory Junction Gang Camp if Petty is voted into the All-Star race by the fans. Go to votekylepetty.com for details.(Moore Consulting Group/Petty Racing)(5-16-2006)
Vote for Kyle Campaign: Behind the wheel of a special MyCokeRewards racecar, Kyle Petty will continue his hard-driving campaign for the health and well-being of chronically ill youth. Launched today in downtown Charlotte, the "Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction" campaign is a grassroots effort fueled by Coca-Cola and other Petty Enterprises sponsors to reward the man who has given so much of his time and effort to charity with a spot in the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 20, 2006 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. For the upcoming Coca-Cola 600, the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge will feature a special MyCokeRewards primary sponsorship paint scheme. Petty also will carry the scheme in the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 20 if voted into the race or if he wins the Nextel Open qualifying race. With the support of Petty's friends, family, sponsors, NASCAR fans and members of the NASCAR community, the "Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction" campaign is geared towards creating a unique opportunity to continue Kyle's tireless efforts to give back to kids. Should Petty make the race through the fan vote, Coca-Cola -- along with Petty Enterprises sponsors Wells Fargo, Schwan's and Tire Kingdom - are donating a minimum of $250,000 to support the ongoing efforts of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Additionally, Kyle and Petty Enterprises also will donate any purse money won in the Nextel All-Star Challenge to Victory Junction. If Kyle wins the race that's an additional $1,000,000 to Victory Junction. Michael Waltrip was announced as Kyle's campaign manager at today's rally launching the "Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction" initiative. Speakers at the event included 7-time Nextel Cup champion Richard Petty, business executives and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. Also present at the rally, where race fans got a sneak peek at the MyCokeRewards racecar Petty will drive in the Coca-Cola 600 and the Nextel Open, were families and campers from Victory Junction. Voting for the Nextel All-Star Challenge is currently open and fans are invited to cast a vote to help get their favorite driver into the event by voting online at NASCAR.com. Voting will run through May 20 with the winner announced the day of the race. Race fans interested in more information about the "Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction" campaign have been asked to go to a special Web site, votekylepetty.com.(Petty Racing PR), more info about the Nextel All-Star Challenge and Open on my 2006 All-Star Race page.(5-9-2006)
Petty to run MyCokeRewards scheme at Coke 600 - IMAGE: Not only will Kyle Petty run a special MyCokeRewards-themed car in the Coca-Cola 600, but some lucky fans will have a chance earn pieces of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge, and a piece of Coca-Cola 600 history, as part of the $50 million MyCokeRewards prize package. By collecting MyCokeRewards points, fans of the Coca-Cola 600 will have the chance to obtain hundreds of unique NASCAR-themed prizes, including the hood, deck lid and side panels from Petty's #45 MyCokeRewards Dodge. Other rewards include Petty's helmet, driver's uniform, shoes, and gloves, as well race-worn crew uniforms and other NASCAR-themed collectibles. Go to www.mycokerewards.com for more info.(Petty Racing PR), see an image on my #45 Team Scheme page.(5-4-2006)
Petty needs sponsor for 6-8 races: #45-Kyle Petty is looking for a sponsor for six to eight races to complete the sponsorship program for the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge he drives in the Nextel Cup Series. Petty said Friday that a company he had a signed contract with fell through, but he would not name the company. He said he would still drive his car in the unsponsored races. "Whether we have a sponsor or not, we're going to go to the race track," Petty said. "We have to do that, obviously. But at the same time, it puts you in a little bit different position than what we thought we were in January and where we thought we were last week." Petty said not having sponsorship for six to eight races would be "a burden," but he feels confident he can fill the gap. Petty has sponsorship from Wells Fargo, Schwan's, Tire Kingdom and Coca-Cola for various races throughout the season.
He said losing the sponsor had nothing to do with performance.(SceneDaily.com)(4-29-2006)
Petty gets another sponsor for 4 races: The names of TBC Corp.'s Tire Kingdom, Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers and National Tire & Battery properties will appear on NASCAR driver Kyle Petty's #45 Dodge at various races this year. "We believe that involvement with NASCAR is a natural progression in our marketing efforts," says Bob Crostarosa, TBC's vice president of marketing. "TBC (has) reached an agreement with the Petty race team that presents the Tire Kingdom brand as the primary sponsor of the car driven by Kyle Petty for the Darlington, S.C., race on May 13, and for the Lowe’s Motor Speedway Race in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 14," say TBC officials. "The car will carry the Merchant’s Tire & Auto Centers logo for the Richmond race on May 6 and the National Tire & Battery logo in Atlanta on March 19. Additionally, the three brands will be identified as associate sponsors throughout 2006 for all other Nextel Cup races."(moderntiredealer.com)(2-17-2006)
Petty fined in 2004 by Dodge: Kyle Petty did a favor for Richard Childress Racing and driver Kevin Harvick in 2004, and he paid $45,000 for it. Dodge fined Petty $45,000 when the veteran relieved Harvick in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol in August 2004. Harvick complained that he had lost feeling in his left arm and Petty, a Dodge driver, took over for Harvick in the RCR Chevrolet. Petty, whose car was already out of the race, did not have permission from Dodge to drive the Chevy, and Dodge promptly fined him for breaching their contract. Dodge didn't announce the fine, but it was revealed in depositions released during their recently completed trial involving Bill Davis Racing. "Initially it was a shock just because that's just a given in the sport - if a driver is down, everybody rallies and tries to help him out," Petty said Feb. 11. "Kevin was sick; Kevin felt bad, so I drove the car. When I got a phone call and a legal letter that said I owed them $45,000, that was a little bit of a shock. But at the same time, they were exactly right. I have a contract to drive for Dodge." Dodge Motorsports Director of Operations John Fernandez said Feb. 10 that he believed Petty's violation of their contract was inadvertent but that the manufacturer must protect the sanctity of its contracts.(NASCAR Scene)(2-15-2006)
Schwan's to #45? UPDATE 2: hearing that Schwan's Home Service, who sponsored the #49 BAM Racing Dodge in 2004-2005 with Ken Schrader, could be heading to Petty Enterprises to be the primary sponsor for Kyle Petty on the #45 Dodge for 10-12 races in 2006. Wells Fargo already announced they would run 12 races as primary. Also there is a rumor floating around, but unable to confirm it at all, the new Coca-Cola soft drink, Vault could sponsor Petty in some fashion.(1-24-2006)
UPDATE: Schwan’s Home Service, Inc., a business unit of The Schwan Food Company, has announced its sponsorship of the #45 stock car owned by Petty Enterprises for the 2006 Nextel Cup season. “Everyone at The Schwan Food Company is thrilled to join the Petty racing team for the 2006 season. The team operates under the same values that are important to Schwan,” said Bill McCormack, executive vice president of administration and company spokesperson. The #45 car, driven by NASCAR veteran Kyle Petty, will carry the Schwan’s Home Service yellow-and-blue paint scheme for four races, which will be announced at a later date. Home Service will provide an associate sponsorship for the remaining races. “I’ve raced off and on against a Schwan sponsored car since 1985 and am really excited to finally be able to have them on my team,” said Petty, Petty Enterprises CEO (and #45 team driver). “The best part of this deal is my guys won’t have as far to go to get the great Schwan’s ice cream at the track. They are already clearing space on the transporter to haul the ice cream cooler.”(GoMarshall), Schwan's was the primary sponsor of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge the past two years.(2-8-2006)
UPDATE 2: hearing the races Schwan's will be the primary sponsor are Bristol in March, Texas in April, Talladega in April and California in September.(2-11-2006)
Quit Smoking Program teams up with NASCAR: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare has launched "QUIT Crew" a smoking cessation program through its 2006 NASCAR sponsorship. The program is designed to help partnering teams within NASCAR to quit smoking and help reduce the number of smokers throughout the sport. Last season, GSK Consumer Healthcare conducted a pilot program with the Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Racing team [#41 Dodge in Cup]. Sixteen members of the Ganassi Racing Team in Concord, NC participated in the program last year. Thus far, Hendrick Motorsports, Petty Enterprises and Chip Ganassi Racing have signed up to offer the program to their employees. Other teams are expected to join the program as it's offered more broadly over the next several weeks.
When a group enrolls in the program, interested team members will be invited to an orientation and seminar about quitting smoking presented by Frank Vitale of the University of Pittsburgh Pharmacy School. During orientation, Vitale will explain the process of quitting, the products available to help them and enroll those interested in joining the 10-12 week program.
Program participants will be counseled and monitored closely by GSK Consumer Healthcare smoking cessation counselors on a weekly basis. Vitale will meet with participants privately the afternoon of the seminar and will be available to them by telephone during the program. GSK Consumer Healthcare is providing counselor services free of charge as well as a starter kit of smoking cessation products. In addition, GSK Consumer Healthcare smoking cessation counselors will be available to crew members in the garage areas at 30 NASCAR races this season.
To inspire NASCAR fans to quit, each participating team will be given an opportunity to take a video camera provided by GSK Consumer Healthcare to document their thoughts and experiences during the quit smoking process. The challenges they encounter will be documented on the quit2winracing.com web site to help others understand what the quitting process is really like.(Lighthouse Marketing PR)(1-27-2006)
Sad News: Elizabeth Toomes Petty, wife of NASCAR champion Lee Petty and mother of NASCAR champion Richard Petty, passed away Sunday morning at age 88. She is survived by sons Richard and Maurice, as well as nine grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, two sisters and two brothers. Funeral services are to be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations by made to Level Cross United Methodist Church, Victory Junction Gang Camp or to Hospice of Randolph County.(Williams Company)(1-9-2006)
Kyle runs at Disney: Kyle Petty finished the Walt Disney World Marathon in 4 hours 42 minutes. He laughed when asked if he thought about ``going behind the wall.'' Petty said his knee began to bother him a lot around Mile 15. ''I walked a bunch so I wouldn't hurt it,'' he said. ``This is not what I do for a living. I do drive race cars, so I don't need to blow my knee out doing this. But it was a lot of fun. And the fans here are great, lining the course. Then you feel bad for walking, man.'' Some of the competitors recognized Petty and talked to him along the way. Petty said next year he might try to get in good enough shape to run Disney and the Miami Marathon, which is at the end of January. Petty was talked into running his first marathon by fellow NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip. They ran the Las Vegas Marathon last year. Petty finished in 4:14.(Miami Herald)(1-9-2006)
Kyle gets a 12 race sponsor: gearing that Wells Fargo will move up from an associate sposnor to be the primary sponsor of the #45 Dodge of Kyle Petty for at least 12 races this season, including the season opening Daytona 500. Petty Enterprises is talking with other sponsors as well at this point. They will run the full schedule in 2006, but still have some sponsorship openings available.(1-6-2006)
2005 News
Petty to run in Disney Marathon:Kyle Petty has decided to trade his stockcar tires for a pair of running shoes. An avid runner, Petty will run in the 2006 Walt Disney World Marathon on Jan. 8. Petty ran the Las Vegas Marathon last January, his first, as part of a fundraising effort for his family’s Victory Junction Gang charity. Running alongside fellow NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, he finished in a time of four hours and 16 minutes.(12-31-2005)
Petty in Disney Parade: NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and Herbie introduce Disney-MGM Studios' Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show attraction when Walt Disney World Resort in Florida invites America to celebrate its 22nd annual Christmas Day Parade telecast from the heart of the Magic Kingdom, with special performances from the Disneyland Resort in California. Ryan Seacrest, will host the festivities from Disneyland Resort while Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, hosts of "Live with Regis and Kelly," co-host in Walt Disney World. The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade telecast airs on ABC Christmas Day from 10:00am/et to 12:00noon/et. Viewers should check their local listings for any changes in programming times.(Williams Company)(12-20-2005)
Petty's opt out of NSL UPDATE: National Sprintcar League officials learned Tuesday (November 22nd) that the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and Richard and Kyle Petty would no longer be a part of the NSL. Citing overwhelming demands in getting a start-up series off the ground, the Petty's informed the NSL of their decision. Despite the loss, the National Sprintcar League is moving forward with plans to race 410 winged sprintcars in 2006.(more at Motorsport.com)(11-29-2005)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Driving Experience announced that it has withdrawn its support of the National SprintCar League effective immediately. "We formed this series with the intention of rebuilding and growing winged sprint car racing," said Kyle Petty. "We had a clear vision about how to undertake this. Unfortunately, our vision for the future of sprint car racing was not shared by all of the key stakeholders in the sport. We believe that a prolonged battle over control of the sport is not in the best interest of anyone involved. Hopefully, by stepping aside at this point, there is time for a common vision to emerge. We still believe that sprint car racing can thrive
in the United States and we hope that the tracks, drivers, teams and sanctioning bodies will put their individual interests aside and work towards some common ground to unify this great motor sports platform. We appreciate everyone who supported us in this endeavor."(Richard Petty Driving Experience /Williams Company PR)(11-30-2005)
Kyle Petty Nominated SI Sportsman Of Year: Kyle Petty has become the first stock car driver nominated for one of
the most prestigious honors in athletics. The Nextel Cup Series driver is up for Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman Of The Year" honor, which the national magazine has awarded since miler Roger Bannister won the first in 1955. Others such as the Boston Red Sox, Tiger Woods, Arthur Ashe, Jack Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali and Pete Rozelle have won it. Others nominated this year include cyclist Lance Armstrong, NBA star Reggie Miller, and World Series star Scott Posednik, among others. Writer Lars Anderson, in making his argument in nominating Petty, noted mostly his and wife Pattie's leadership of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. "Put simply," Anderson wrote, "he's got the biggest heart in American sports today. "Kyle Petty as Sportsman of the Year? Take a look at those beaming kids and tell me he's not." The winner will be announced next month.(Williams Company PR)(11-23-2005)
Nice Gesture: #45-Kyle Petty's wife Pattie gave Stewart a lucky charm from her late son Adam with the inscription John 3:16 on Sunday morning. Stewart had it in his pocket all day.(Yahoo Sports)(11-21-2005)
Andrews son tests for Petty: hearing that Tim Andrews, son of #45 crew chief Paul Andrews, participated in a driver
development test for Petty Enterprises this week at Kentucky Speedway.(11-19-2005)
Checkers Fields Two Cars this Sunday at Homestead: Checkers will field two cars at the NEXTEL Cup race this Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, creating a unique "race within a race" that will give sports fans one more opportunity to gear up for the
intra-Florida rivalry on the football field set for the following week Scott Riggs will drive the #10 Checkers Florida State University
Seminole Chevrolet, racing head-to-head with Kyle Petty, who will drive the #45 Checkers University of Florida Gator Dodge. Checkers will donate $5,000 to the "race within a race" winner's charity of choice. 1:24 scale Gator and Seminole die cast cars are being sold as part of this program with a portion of the proceeds of the sale to benefit the scholarship programs at both universities. The cars will be available for purchase this Saturday and Sunday at all AmeriCrown merchandise trailers at the track, and can also be purchased online at gatorsnolesracing.com(PR). See images of the cars on my #10 Teams Schemes page and #45 Teams Schemes page.(11-19-2005)
Goody's unveils new ad campaign geared toward NASCAR: NASCAR legend Richard Petty has been a long-time resident of Goody's Country, serving as the Goody's Headache Powders spokesperson for nearly 30 years. Tony Stewart has joined Petty and his son Kyle in a new advertising campaign for the "Official Pain Reliever of NASCAR" that includes a commercial depicting the day Stewart moves into "Mr. Petty's Neighborhood" and his appreciation for the speedy pace of life there. The first screening of the commercial will be during a press conference at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday, Oct. 28. Also at this event, as part of its continued support of Victory Junction Gang Camp, Goody's will present a check for $25,000 in Stewart's name to Kyle and Pattie Petty for their camp for seriously ill children and their families.(Williams Company PR)(10-27-2005)
A Petty back in the #43? UPDATE: Jeff Green likely will leave Petty Enterprises' #43 car for a chance to drive the NetZero #0 car, team owner Kyle Petty said Thursday. Petty, in town [CAL]to deliver the keynote address at the High Desert Opportunity business conference, said without securing a sponsor for his own #45 car, he couldn't commit to another driver for the 2006 season. "I really think Jeff's going to the (Net) Zero [#0] car," Petty said. "We've been very honest with Jeff, very honest with everybody we talk to." The problem, Petty said, is that the team hasn't signed a sponsor to replace Georgia Pacific on the #45 car. General Mills still has a contract to sponsor the #43 car. "Since I own the team, I could go drive the 43 if I wanted to," Petty said. Is that a possibility? Could we see Petty back behind the wheel of his father Richard's old car? "Everything's a possibility," Kyle Petty said. "You've got so much on the table." Petty said as a veteran driver, he understood the need to secure a ride when there was an opportunity. "Jeff's 42, 43 years old (actually 43). Everybody wants to sign a 19-year-old to drive their car," Petty said. "If you can find a ride, you better be jumping and getting in it. Don't wait and let me hold you back." The bottom line, Petty said, "If it's good for him, it's good for us."(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)(10-21-2005)
UPDATE: Kyle Petty said Friday that Jeff Green likely will vacate Petty Enterprises' flagship #43 Dodge and take over the #0 Chevrolet owned by Gene Haas. Petty said he and Green talked Tuesday about Green leaving the car he has driven since September, 2003. "I know [Green] has talked to the 0, and he's probably going to go to the 0, and I applaud that for him," Petty said. "It's like I told him, 'When you're my age and you're your age, and everybody's looking for 19-year-olds, if a car opens up, jump in it.'" Petty, 45, said his big hold-up in re-signing Green, 43, was a lack of sponsorship for his own #45 Dodge. Since Georgia Pacific announced that it wasn't returning as that car's backer, the team has been assembling a sponsorship package, but it didn't materialize in time to keep Green. If the sponsorship for the #45 doesn't come through, the team will field only one car full-time and Petty probably would drive it himself [#43].
But he said he hopes that doesn't happen. "I'm extremely confident that within the next four to six weeks we'll have what we want to announce," Petty said, adding that the sponsorship will be tied to fund-raising efforts for the Victory Junction Camp for ill children that the Pettys founded. "That's why we want to release [the sponsorships] all at one time," he said. "We just didn't get things done quick enough to be able to satisfy all of our contractual needs with Jeff."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-22-2005)
#43 to run Fan Fest scheme at Lowe's: This weekend, Jeff Green and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge head to the
1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway, located in Concord, N.C., for Saturday night's Charlotte 500. Green, who will be sporting a Petty Fan Fest paint scheme this weekend, finished 11th in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's earlier this season.(Williams Company), not really sure what the Fan Fest thing is about.(10-11-2005)
UPDATE: what the scheme is about, #43 sponsor, Cheerios/General Mills held a contest and the are 43 pictures of winners on the #43 Dodge and 45 more on the #45 Dodge that Kyle Petty drives. Have no images...yet.(10-13-2005)
Petty in pink at Kansas: #45-Kyle Petty will be driving a Quilted Northern Ultra bath tissue pink paint scheme this weekend. The scheme is in conjunction with the “Time for Thanks” program that recognizes the critical role that co-survivors play in the in the lives of breast cancer survivors. Survivors and co-survivors will spend a weekend retreat at the Victory Junction Gang Camp in early November.(Williams Company)(10-5-2005)
Petty's and Sprint Car Series? UPDATE 3: hearing there is supposed to be a press conference scheduled at Dover to announce the new sprint car league being formed by Petty Enterprises, called the National Sprint Car League?(9-21-2005)
UPDATE: Been told Tony Stewart is involved and hearing the Petty family has a financial interest in thsi new series that will go head-to-head with World of Outlaws with a couple of Speedway Motorsports tracks. Also hearing that 12 of the top 17 WoO drivers are going with the new series, including Steve Kinser. Look for an announcement from Dover on Friday.(9-22-2005)
UPDATE 2: Sprint car racing's biggest names have split into two separate series for 2006, drivers confirmed Wednesday. The World of Outlaws, owned by DIRT Motorsports, will retain five of its 18 full-time drivers — Altoona's Terry McCarl, Craig Dollansky, Brooke Tatnell, Daryn Pittman and Donny Schatz — and plans to add more for 2006. Danny Lasoski, who drives for Tony Stewart Motorsports, represents one of 13 current Outlaws teams who have signed with the National Sprintcar League for the 2006 season. The group is backed by Petty Enterprises and has lured drivers such as Steve and Kraig Kinser, Jason Meyers and Tim Shaffer. It's not immediately clear how the split would affect Knoxville Raceway, which draws thousands for Outlaws races. Those figures swell to 25,000 per night during the Knoxville Nationals each August - with fans lured by many of the Outlaws drivers. "We saw no light at the end of the tunnel," said Lasoski, a four-time Knoxville Nationals champion. "This is a breath of fresh air for all of us." DIRT Motorsports completed the acquisition of the Outlaws in February of 2004 from founder Ted Johnson. They have yet to secure a title sponsor. Lasoski said he felt a new direction was necessary. He added an announcement is scheduled to be made this weekend at the NASCAR events at Dover, Del. Lasoski's concerns with DIRT included the lack of live television - Outlaws events air on the Outdoor Channel on a tape-delayed basis. He expects the Petty organization to rectify that situation, although no TV package is set yet. Lasoski said he would not run any Outlaws-sanctioned events next season, and was unsure what would happen regarding a possible non-sanctioned 2006 Knoxville Nationals. He added that NASCAR names such as Stewart, Kasey Kahne, the Pettys and Dave Blaney would field cars in the National Sprintcar League next season. This season, the structure of the World of Outlaws series remains unchanged in terms of points and scheduling. The Outlaws' next race is Friday at Jackson, Minn.(Des Moines Register)(9-23-2005)
UPDATE 3 - official: Richard Petty Driving Experience, a leader in providing high quality motorsports entertainment, announced the formation of the National SprintCar League. Steve Kinser, 19 - time World of Outlaws series champion, and 11 other current World of Outlaws drivers and teams have joined the newly formed NSL beginning in 2006. The NSL has signed the following twelve current World of Outlaws series drivers and teams to 3-year agreements beginning with the 2006 season: Steve Kinser, Jason Meyers, Kraig Kinser, Danny “The Dude” Lasoski, Tim Shaffer, Paul McMahan, Joey Saldana, Jason Sides, Brian Paulus, Brandon Wimmer, Shane Stewart and Jason Solwold. The series has also received commitments from 3 - time World of Outlaws series champion Sammy Swindell, 16 - time World of Outlaws championship car owner Karl Kinser and long time team owner Dennis Roth to run in 2006. The NSL is making significant progress in organizing the 2006 championship schedule and is in discussions with several corporate partners regarding series sponsorship. In addition, the group is in the process of securing a comprehensive television package for the series. See full press release at nationalsprintcarleague.com.(9-23-2005)
Mark Green in for Petty MORE: Mark Green, Jeff's brother, is practicing and probably qualifying the #45 Georgia Pacific Dodge at New Hampshire this weekend. Driver Kyle Petty has been feeling under the weather this week but plans to race the car on Sunday.(9-16-2005)
MORE Still fighting feelings of grief from his son's death at New Hampshire International Speedway more than five years ago, Kyle Petty will skip Friday's practice sessions and Saturday's qualifying at the track. Petty still plans to race on Sunday. "It's a funny thing, because I thought the longer I went, the easier it would get," Petty said in a telephone interview. "The truth is, the longer it goes, the harder it gets." Adam Petty was killed in an accident during a practice session at New Hampshire International Speedway in May 2000.
Petty has raced at New Hampshire several times since the accident, but it hasn't made him any more at ease there. He said the most recent race weekend at New Hampshire, in July, was particularly tough. "I struggled with just trying to do my job," Petty said. "I was mean to everybody. I just wasn't me."(USA Today)(9-17-2005)
Loomis back to Petty in 2006: Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises, today announced the organization's addition of championship-winning crew chief Robbie Loomis as executive vice president of race operations. In his new role, Loomis will head the day-to-day operations of Level Cross-based Petty Enterprises and its two full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams -- the #43 Dodges driven by Jeff Green and the #45 Dodges piloted by Petty."We are excited that Robbie will be rejoining Petty Enterprises," Petty said. "Robbie won races as a crew chief here, and then won a lot of races and a championship with Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports. We have great respect for the entire Hendrick organization, and know that Robbie's experience with the Hendrick team has prepared him well for the role he will take on at Petty Enterprises. Robbie Loomis will direct our entire race operation, and we expect his experience and his ability to mold a team to help us get to the next level. Robbie has been a part of our family for a long time, and we're happy to have him come home." Loomis, 41, will leave his position as crew chief of Hendrick Motorsports' #24 Chevrolets. Before rejoining Petty, the Forest City, Fla., native will work as a consultant to Concord-based Hendrick Motorsports as the operation pursues the 2005 NEXTEL Cup championship with the #48 Chevrolets.
"We still have a job to do," said Loomis, who won a Cup title with driver Jeff Gordon in 2001 after coming to Hendrick from Petty Enterprises in 2000. "Our goal is winning that championship with Jimmie (Johnson), Chad (Knaus) and the #48 team. I'm here to support them in any way I possibly can. "Hendrick Motorsports opened my eyes to a whole different level of this industry. The experience has allowed me to see things from a new perspective and learn important lessons about business and life. I'm truly grateful to Rick, Jeff and the 500 people who make Hendrick Motorsports so special. "I was with the Petty family for 11 years before being blessed to work with Jeff and the #24 team. Kyle and Richard (Petty) are giving me an incredible opportunity to come home, back where I started my career, and I' m honored and excited to do that."(Williams Company/Hendrick Motorsports)(9-14-2005)
Green and Kyle back at PE in 2006: Kyle Petty and Jeff Green will both return as the drivers of the #43 and #45 cars next year, Petty confirmed Saturday. Petty, 45, said he is not sure how much longer he will keep racing, but he doesn’t see his retirement any time in the immediate future. The son of NASCAR legend, Richard Petty, still loves to drive. "No 9-year-old kid goes to bed at night dreaming about signing autographs at Target," Petty said. "You dream about driving a racecar. As long as I still love driving a racecar, I can put up with the other stuff."(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-28-2005)
Petty-Riggs: College Rivalry schemes at Homestead: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, the Florida Gators, and the Florida State Seminoles, unveiled its #10 Seminole and #45 Gator stock cars that will compete at the final Cup Series season event at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20th. Scott Riggs will drive the #10 Checkers Florida State University Chevy, and Kyle Petty will drive the #45 Checkers University of Florida Dodge. This sponsorship is designed to give sports fans one more opportunity to gear up for the intra-Florida rivalry on the football field set for the following week. The Company expects to create excitement due to the tremendous fan cross-over among the two sports. In September, new collectible #10 Florida State Seminole and #45 Florida Gator cups will be available at nearly 150 Checkers restaurants in Florida. During the unveiling of the new cars at Bristol Motor Speedway, Checkers pledged $5,000 to both Riggs' and Petty's charities: Carolina Donor Services and the Victory Junction Gang, respectively. An additional
$5,000 will be donated to the race-within-a-race winner's charity on November 20th. The cars can be purchased online at gatorsnolesracing.com or by calling 1-877-212-6017, and are also being sold through school newsletters, newspapers, Web sites, and onsite during university home football games. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of the die casts benefits the scholarship programs at both schools.(PR)(8-27-2005)
Petty back in the Pink: This weekend, Kyle Petty and the #45 Quilted Northern Dodge team head to the .533-mile Bristol Motor Speedway for Saturday night's Sharpie 500. Georgia-Pacific brand Quilted Northern will wrap the #45 Dodge Charger pink for this weekend's race in support of the "Time for Thanks" program. The program supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the leading organization in the fight against breast cancer for more than 20 years. The team hopes to raise awareness to this program by collecting a strong finish Saturday night. Petty finished eighth at Bristol in April.(Williams Company)(8-24-2005)
Petty's to lose Dodge? UPDATE Denied: Petty Enterprises may have more to worry about than replacing Georgia-Pacific as sponsor of Kyle Petty's #45. Word is that Dodge may have played out its history hand in backing the Pettys, with results that have scarcely improved since Dodge's debut in 2001.(Speed Channel)
UPDATE: sources with the team have vehemently denied that Dodge is leaving the team and the report is completely untrue.(8-23-2005)
Larry King Live: Rusty, Kyle, Jeff: Three NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers are scheduled to appear on Monday's (Aug. 15) edition of "Larry King Live" on CNN-TV. Rusty Wallace. driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge [in his "Last Call" final season as driver], Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge [will discuss NASCAR and Victory Junction Gang Camp] and Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevy. "Larry King Live" airs at 9:00pm/et nightly on CNN-TV.(PR's)(8-12-2005)
Petty's in Newsweek: Kyle and Pattie Petty are featured in the national news magazine Newsweek this week as part of a new series, "Red, White and Proud." The series "honors those who make helping others their priority." The Pettys are noted in the prestigious national news weekly for founding the Victory Junction Gang Camp.(Williams Company PR)(7-12-2005)
New #45 Scheme for Rest of 2005, Petty Blue Returns: This weekend, Kyle Petty and the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge team head to the 1.5-mile Chicagoland for Sunday's Chicagoland 400. Petty and the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge will have a new look for the rest of the season starting this weekend. Georgia-Pacific will pay tribute to the Petty family by returning the family Petty Blue to the #45 Dodge. The "Petty Blue" color is unmistakable in the minds of race fans across America. The color is synonymous with winning and with Richard Petty's record-tying seven Nextel Cup championships.(Williams Company)(7-7-2005)
Changes For #45 Team In 2006, new sponsors in 2006: Petty Enterprises has announced plans to restructure its primary sponsorship of the #45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series beginning in 2006. The change is part of a broader initiative that will be announced in more detail in the coming months and will involve multiple corporate partners. “We’re excited with the possibilities of working with new sponsors and structuring our program to allow for our partners to share the assets of the #45 car throughout the season,” said Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. “Although they will no longer be our primary sponsor, Georgia-Pacific and its Brawny brand has been a great partner for Petty Enterprises and for me personally. They have been supporting us since the mid ‘90s with our Craftsman Series truck program, and have been a valuable part of not only the racing team but the Charity Ride Across America and the Victory Junction Gang Camp as well.”
In the course of discussing the coming years and evaluating the long-term objectives of the racing team, Petty Enterprises envisions a different kind of sponsorship model. In elaborating on the plans for 2006 and beyond, Petty stated that “… next year our program will provide us with the opportunity to leverage several promotional tie-ins and other marketing elements with a select group of complementary partners working together to do some pretty cool stuff. Because we will have multiple partners, the entry point dollar-wise for this program is significantly below what companies are paying to be full-time primary sponsors. We’ve had great reaction to this program already and we think it is an exciting way to be involved in our racing platform. We look forward to presenting this strategic marketing platform to potential partners/sponsors who are interested in being involved in a unique Nextel Cup marketing program.”(Williams Company)(6-29-2005)
Petty and Jones have an altercation after race UPDATE: After the race at Infineon Raceway concluded, an irate Kyle Petty [#45] tried going after P.J. Jones [#4/one race deal] in the garage area, presumably over a collision that took place at turn 11 midway through the race. Legendary driver Richard Petty, Kyle's father, reportedly had to step between the two to help break it up.(Contra Coast Times)(6-27-2005)
UPDATE: We [Yahoo Sports] were there to witness a postrace "discussion" between P.J. Jones and Kyle Petty outside of the Petty hauler. The two had gotten together early in the race and Jones was attempting to offer an apology to Petty, but Petty would have none of it, instead throwing a towel at Jones and grabbing him by the collar. A heated exchange followed and an extremely angry Petty had to be restrained. Father Richard stepped in and calmed everyone down.(Yahoo Sports)(6-28-2005)
Petty engineers travel to high-tech wind tunnel in Germany As the ever-expanding engineering and technical side of
NASCAR Nextel Cup racing continues to grow, Petty Enterprises took a huge step to the forefront of wind tunnel testing this week. Accepting an invitation from Dodge Motorsports, Petty Enterprises spent this week in Stuttgart, Germany, at one of the world's state-of-the-art wind tunnels. The wind tunnel in Stuttgart, Germany is equipped with a rare and unique "Rolling Road" wind tunnel system. Cars travel on a belt and can simulate different pitches and angles. Used by Mercedes, Petty Enterprises hopes the facility will provide them with unmatched information. "The 'Rolling Road' wind tunnel can actually give us better, more realistic data
comparable to on-track conditions," stated Petty Enterprises General Manager Jerry Freeze. "We're hoping to use this data and compare it to the 'static' wind tunnels we use here in the States." Petty Enterprises has two main objectives while in Germany, but is keeping in mind the ultimate goal. "First, we are hoping to learn the tunnel and see how we can take advantage of it," continued Freeze. "Secondly, we want to try different adjustments to the car and gather the data. We are here to win too. The Dodge Charger is a completely new car this season. We want to continue to learn as much about this car as quickly as possible to get us in victory lane. This is a great opportunity for us." Petty Enterprises, which fields the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge driven by Jeff Green and the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge driven by Kyle Petty, shipped their cars overseas a month ago. The cars were shipped in large
containers.(Williams Company)(6-23-2005)
#725: #45-Kyle Petty will start his 725 career Nexte Cup race in today's Coca Cola 600, Petty is 7th on the all-time start list.(5-29-2005)
Special Mother's Day Scheme for Jarrett UPDATE: #88-Dale Jarrett is scheduled to drive a car with a childhood image of Dale driving Ned Jarrett's race car at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 7th in honor of his mother for Mother's Day which is May 8th.(12-20-2004)
UPDATE: #15-Michael Waltrip and #45-Kyle Petty have been added to the Mother's Day special paint scheme program at Darlington.(RacingOne)(1-7-2005)
UPDATE 2 - This weekend, drivers take a moment to remember Mom in Darlington Last year, several NASCAR drivers teamed up with Action Performance Companies Inc., to wish their "NASCAR Dads" a Happy Father's Day via a race day program at Michigan International Speedway. Now, some "NASCAR Moms" are getting their due. Veteran drivers #88-Dale Jarrett and #45-Kyle Petty will pilot Happy Mother's Day-edition race cars during the 500-mile NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series at Darlington Raceway. Jarrett's #88 UPS Ford Taurus will include a nod to his mother, Martha, while Petty will roll out the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge Charger with a Happy Mother's Day dedication to his mom, Lynda. In keeping with NASCAR's long-standing tradition of no stock car races held on the actual Mother's Day holiday, the cars will run on Saturday night, May 7, 2005. Martha Jarrett, Lynda Petty and several other NASCAR Moms will be on hand to announce racing's most famous tagline with an appropriate twist: Sons and Gentlemen, start your engines. This year's participants in the Happy Mother's Day program also are eligible for a $10,000 cash bonus. The prize will be awarded to the highest finishing driver, who then will present it to his mother or her favorite charitable organization. A percentage of the proceeds from the sales of the Happy Mother's Day die-cast have been earmarked to benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The collectibles will be available through Action's usual distribution channels, including the Action Racing Collectables distributor network and Racing Collectables Club of America. To locate an ARC distributor, please call 1-800-411-8404. To join RCCA, call 1-800-952-0708 or visit www.goracing.com.(Action Performance) or see my Collectible Links page for places to buy them. And looks lime Waltrip was droped from the program or never part of it.(5-7-2005)
Petty to test at the Rock: #45-Kyle Petty is scheduled to test his Darlington car at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Monday, May 2nd. While the track is not holding any races, it still is open for testing and the Buck Baker Racing School still holds classes there.(4-27-2005)
Petty's son accepted to Military school: Austin Petty, the 23-year-old son of #45-Kyle Petty, has been accepted to Virginia Military Institute.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(4-11-2005)
Pattie Petty on A&E Special Presentation: Pattie Petty, wife of NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge, will be one of four wives featured in A&E's special presentation: SPORTS WIVES, premiering Wednesday, March 23, 9:00-11:00pm/et. The behind-the-scenes feature will profile Petty at the track and at home giving viewers a look at what it is like to be a wife of a professional athlete. The feature will also highlight Petty's dedication to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a charitable organization aimed at enriching the lives of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Victory Junction was founded by the Petty's in honor of their son Adam. The A&E Network spent time filming Petty during the later part of the 2004 season.(Williams Company)(3-22-2005)
Kyle Petty Crowns Sue Bee Winner: Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny/Sue Bee Dodge Intrepid awarded contest winner Naomi Locklear, of Carlsbad, N.M. a replica of the #45 race car ... street-legal, that is. Also on hand to make the presentation to Locklear was Jim Powell, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Sue Bee Honey. "We've experienced double digit growth since starting our relationship with Kyle Petty," Powell said. " Representatives of The Championship Group, Inc. created and managed the 2005 "Win Kyle's Car" promotion, which drew more than 650,000 entries in the first 48 hours. For "Win Kyle's Car 2," even bigger and better things are in store. "Everyone's just going to have to wait a week for the answer to that question," Petty said.(LVMS.com Pit Notes PR)(3-12-2005)
Coca-Cola Racing Family New Anime Ad to Debut During Daytona 500: In the first-ever NASCAR-themed Anime ad, Coca-Cola Racing Family members Tony Stewart, Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte and Kevin Harvick are seen as animated superheroes engaging in adventurous activities such as scuba diving with sea monsters and flying fighter planes before they return to the track for a Coke and a bit of racing. Breaking during the broadcast of the Daytona 500 on February 20 -- a growing showcase for new advertising -- the 60-second ad, entitled "Fantastic Four," is the only animated spot in the new Coca-Cola "Make It Real" campaign. It will also run in more than 10,000 movie theaters across the country and a 30-second version of the spot will be featured on NASCAR broadcasts throughout the season. The spot concludes with one word -- 'Adrenaline' -- followed by the campaign tagline, 'Make It Real.' The word 'adrenaline' underscores the drivers' energetic attitude both on and off the track. Created by Berlin Cameron / Red Cell, the new 'Make it Real' campaign also includes print and outdoor executions. Additional ads are planned for later in 2005.(Coca-Cola PR)(2-15-2005)
Mikey finishes LV Marathon under 4 hours, Petty just over: #15-Michael Waltrip and #45-Kyle Petty competed in the Las Vegas International Marathon in Las Vegas on Sunday with Waltrip finishing 747th [of 2189] with a time of 3:59.23 [4 hoursd was Mikey's goal] and Petty finished 1112 with a time of 4:18.34. Full results at tri-a-run.com.(1-31-2005)
Andrews the new #45 Crew Chief: Paul Andrews, a Nextel Cup champion who is one of NASCAR's most well-known and respected crew chiefs, has been hired to handle the crew chief role for the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge and driver Kyle Petty. Petty, also CEO of Petty Enterprises, made the announcement today. Andrew's duties begin immediately. Andrews, 47, comes to the legendary organization as one of the most knowledgeable and trusted crew chiefs in the NASCAR garage. Having worked with some of the sports greatest names, Andrews won a NASCAR Nextel Cup championship with Alan Kulwicki, and has helped bring winning success to drivers such as Geoffrey Bodine, Jeremy Mayfield, Steve Park and Jeff Burton. Andrews most recently served as crew chief for the #38 Akins Motorsports Ford in the NASCAR Busch Series. "We're very excited to have a person of Paul's caliber join our team," said Petty. "His past speaks for itself. He's a proven winner and can help accelerate this team into top form. The addition of Evernham Engines was huge. Adding Paul is another big step forward as we prepare for 2005 and beyond." Andrew's successes in the sport are some of the most impressive of any crew chief. A champion crew chief in 1992, Andrew's has accumulated a dozen wins, over 75 top-five and twice as many top-10 finishes. He expects to continue that winning trend at Petty Enterprises. "I just like the way Petty Enterprise is heading," said Andrews. "Adding Evernham Engines this season was a tremendously positive move. They are striving hard and taking steps to win. I want, and am ready, to make a difference. They are going in the right direction, and I think I can help offer some good input. I'm excited to start working with Kyle and the Georgia-Pacific/Brawny team."(Williams Company PR)(1-19-2005)
Special Mother's Day Scheme for Jarrett UPDATE: #88-Dale Jarrett is scheduled to drive a car with a childhood image of Dale driving Ned Jarrett's race car at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 7th in honor of his mother for Mother's Day which is May 8th.(12-20-2004)
UPDATE: #15-Michael Waltrip and #45-Kyle Petty have been added to the Mother's Day special paint scheme program at Darlington.(RacingOne)(1-7-2005)
Petty Crew Chief Leaves, other changes: Petty Enterprises announced today a change in the leadership of the #45 Georgia Pacific/Brawny Dodge driven by Kyle Petty. The move was sparked by the departure of team engineer Adam Stevens to Joe Gibbs Racing, after which the team elected to part company with crew chief Bill Henderson. "When we made the change to put Adam and Bill in charge of the 45 team in August of last year, we looked at it as a combination effort," said Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises. "When Adam came back from the Christmas holiday and told us of his intention to take an offer with Gibbs, we decided to reevaluate the leadership of the team." Petty is currently exploring options. "We have made a number of significant moves forward since the end of the season. Our relationship with Evernham Motorsports supplying our engines is the most public of those moves. We intend to have an experienced crew chief and team engineer in place when we leave for the first race in Daytona," Petty said. "I have a lot of faith in the 45 team, our engineering group and the rest of the team in Level Cross that we will be competitive right out of the box in 2005."(Williams Company PR)(1-6-2005)
Kyle to retire...after 2006? Rumors continue to grow that #45-Kyle Petty will announce his retirement after the 2006 campaign to devote all of his energies to running the team.(Yahoo Sports)(1-5-2005)
Schumacher Pledges help: Formula One champion Michael Schumacher plans to donate $13.60 million — or 10 million euros — to aid efforts for tsunami victims in Asia.(MSNBC)(1-5-2005)
2004 News
Kyle Petty to be a speaker: The High Desert Opportunity Committee, comprised of local business people interested in promoting business growth in the high desert region has recently announced that the 2005 keynote speaker for their annual business conference will be NASCAR's Kyle Petty. The conference, to be held on Thursday October 20 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds targets business owners, site locators and real estate brokers who are instrumental in business site decision-making. The annual High Desert conference is a day-long event that includes exhibits from many local cities, chambers of commerce, business organizations, local businesses and services. The attendees of the conference have the ability to gather information about the local business climate and opportunities. The goal is to increase interest in the high desert region and to enhance local business growth. The High Desert Opportunity Committee believes that Petty will enhance the conference and will offer visitors another compelling reason to attend the event and learn more about local opportunities. For tickets, exhibit or sponsorship information call 245-7600 or visit www.highdesertopportunity.com.(Hesperia Star)(12-29-2004)
Petty Running on Sunday UPDATE Results...no Petty: Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Georgia-Pacific Dodge, is entered in Sunday's Gulf Beaches Halfathon [half-marathon] in Clearwater, FL, aiming for a time in the 1:45 to 1:55 range. "I'm running it as a training run for the Jan. 30 Las Vegas Marathon where Michael Waltrip has pledged a million dollars in support of the Victory Junction Gang Camp," said Petty of the camp for children with chronic illnesses in North Carolina. "Naturally, I should run 26.2 miles to support Michael." Race director Chris Lauber has assigned the 44-year-old Petty #45, his race car number.(St Petersburg Times), more info on the halfmarathon at: www.floridahalf.com.(12-11-2004)
mini-update: Prerace favorite Keith Sawayda and last-minute entry Vicki Jetton won the Gulf Beaches Halfathon Sunday. Sawayda took the early lead from Jeremy Rogers of London and built on it, winning by more than four minutes. The 41-year-old from Clearwater ran a 5-minute, 45-second first mile, then maintained that pace, winning in 1:15:41. Race director Chris Lauber was pleased with the final registration figure of 804, though only 673 started the race from Madeira Beach to Taylor Park despite ideal running conditions, temperature in the high 40s and low humidity, at 7 a.m. NASCAR's Kyle Petty was registered but did not pick up his bib, No.45.(St Petersburg Times)(12-14-2004)
Kyle, Pattie Petty win Myers Brothers Award: Kyle and Pattie Petty, who turned a dream into a reality and named it the Victory Junction Gang Camp, have been named the recipients of the National Motorsports Press Association’s 2004 Myers Brothers Award. The award was presented during the NMPA’s annual Myers Brothers Award Breakfast, held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Perhaps best known as the son of the sport’s all-time winningest driver, Kyle Petty continues to leave his mark on the sport as well. But where his father, Richard, became well-known for his efforts on the race track, Kyle and his wife have also used NASCAR to reach out and touch the lives of others outside the sport. In June of 2004, Victory Junction Gang Camp, a summer home for chronically-ill children, officially opened its doors. The idea, conceived by the Pettys’ son Adam, became a goal for the family following Adam’s death in a racing accident four years ago. It was a way to not only honor their son, but to see that his generosity and kindness towards those less fortunate wasn’t forgotten. “It is big for us personally,” Kyle Petty said, “for Pattie and myself because of Adam. But for me personally it’s big because this community did it. This community built the camp. Not Kyle Petty, not Pattie Petty. Everything the media printed, everything the drivers did, everything the drivers’ fans did, everything the sponsors did, that’s why the camp is there and that’s why there are kids coming out of that camp that are pretty special kids. For me, that’s as much a cool deal or more personal than anything else. That’s what means the most to me, I guess.” Voted on each year by members of the NMPA, the Myers Brothers Award recognizes individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing. It is named in honor of Billy and Bob Myers.(Willams Company PR)(12-3-2004)
Petty switches Engines? UPDATE 2: hearing that Petty Enterprises [PE], with drivers #45-Kyle Petty and #43-Jeff Green, will run Arrington Engines the rest of 2004 after Talladega and will supposedly have Evernham engines in 2005. Currently PE uses Mike Ege engines.(10-1-2004)
UPDATE: Petty Enterprises will have a new engine supplier for 2005, Kyle Petty confirmed Saturday, but it is unclear who will build engines for Petty and Jeff Green next season. Mike Ege Racing Engines, which has built engines for the Pettys since 2002, will not return next year. "We're at that time in the season where we need to be making a change," Petty said. "We've talked about it for the last three or four months with Mike Ege Racing Engines, and it's come to a point where it's time to make a move. Next year, we'll do something different." The Dodges of Petty and Green will use Ege engines in this weekend's EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, and Ege has the option of staying with Petty Enterprises the rest of this year. "We've left that option up to him, if he chose to continue it or if he chose not to," Petty said. "We'll go from there. We have his stuff in down here." But who will be in the #43 and #45 in 2005? Petty said rumors about a switch to Evernham Engines or Arrington Engines are simply rumors. "There are rumors about everything, man," Petty said. "There are rumors I'm going to retire. What are you gonna do? That's why they're called rumors." The team won't return to building its own engines, as it did from 1949-2001. "We talked about it three or four months ago, whether we wanted to open our stuff back up," Petty said. "We made a decision at this point in time not to go down that road. If we were two or three years further down the road, then, yeah, we'd probably look at it. But right now, no."(NASCAR.com)(10-3-2004)
UPDATE 2a: been told Petty Enterprises #43-Jeff Green and #45-Kyle Petty will NOT run Mike Ege Racing Engines at Kansas, but have not heard what engines will be run.
UPDATE 2b: Ray Evernham says he hasn't signed any agreements with Petty Enterprises, but he is talking with them and some other teams about providing engines in 2005.(NASCAR Scene print)(10-8-2004)
UPDATE 3: Petty Enterprises will begin using Evernham Motorsports engines beginning with testing for the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. The organization fields the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge of driver
Jeff Green and the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge of driver Kyle
Petty. Petty Enterprises is the winningest organization in major
league motorsports.
"We are constantly looking for ways to improve our performance and to
run better as a team," said Petty, who is also CEO of Petty
Enterprises, "We at Petty Enterprises worked very closely with
Evernham Motorsports to develop the Dodge program. Ray has been very
gracious in his comments about the role of Petty Enterprises in that
effort. We have continued to work closely with Evernham and with Dodge
on many aspects of our program since then, and we see this alliance in
the engine program as a natural evolution of our relationship.
"Evernham Motorsports has really moved into the forefront in regards
to Dodge engine development and we're excited to be part of that,"
Petty continued. "We've made some big strides with our chassis and
bodies, so this was obviously the next step."
In its fourth year of operation, Evernham Motorsports has moved to the
elite among NASCAR teams. The organization, which has one driver in
the Chase For The Championship and a second 12th in the NASCAR Nextel
Cup standings while leading Rookie of the Year, has 13 poles, five
race wins, 45 top fives and 81 top 10s.
"We have been working with Kyle and Petty Enterprises on behalf of
Dodge the past four years, and they have a solid organization. The
chassis are pretty much where they want them to be," Evernham said.
"We feel we can help them on the horsepower side as well, and help
them continue to build their program. We're all very excited at
working even more closely with Petty Enterprises in 2005."(Williams Company PR)(11-18-2004)
STP and the Petty's Richard and Kyle Petty will be making an announcement at Lowe's Motor Speedway Media Conference Room on Friday [Oct 15] at 3:30 pm. They will be announcing that long time sponsor STP and AutoZone will help raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, and host a special STP Family Weekend.(10-15-2004)
UPDATE: Long time Richard Petty sponsor STP has teamed up with AutoZone to announce a donation for up to $50,000 to the Petty Family's Victory Junction Gang Camp. The donation, which is being made in celebration of STP's 50th Anniversary, will allow STP and AutoZone to host a special "Family Weekend," for children with a chronic or life-threatening illness, sometime in the Spring of 2005. Kyle and Richard Petty were on hand to help kick-off STP's 50th Anniversary celebration in grand style, when they unveiled a special STP "Future's Car" which will be the pace car in Kyle Petty's Ride to Victory II charity ride. The Ride to Victory will take place on Sunday, October 17 leaving the Lowe's Motor Speedway and concluding at the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, North Carolina. The STP future's car and coinciding donation are two highlights of STP's golden anniversary celebration. Money will be raised, in part, through sales of STP products at AutoZone stores during the month of November. For every bottle of STP sold at AutoZone stores in November, 50 cents will be donated to The Victory Junction Gang Camp, up to a goal of $50,000. Additionally, consumers who purchase two bottles of STP products at AutoZone will also be able to mail away and receive their choice of three limited edition STP/Petty die cast cars:
· 1972 STP Car (Petty's first #43 STP car victory)
· 1984 STP Car (Petty's final Victory)
· 2004 STP Car (Pace car for Ride to Victory II)
STP's 50 years of business have been synonymous with NASCAR racing. In 1972 STP began making headlines in the racing world with the historic sponsorship of Petty and the No. 43 car. In 1979, Richard won his seventh NASCAR title, which put him in a class of his own, and also etched STP as an icon in the racing world. The STP logo returned to the #43 Dodge this season as an associate sponsor and will remain on the Jeff Green's #43 Dodge car throughout the 2005.(Ketchum for STP PR)(10-16-2004)
Wells Fargo Re-Ups with Petty and expands sponsorship: Wells Fargo Financial announced today it has renewed and expanded its sponsorship of Petty Enterprises in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series. For 2005, the sponsorship will increase to include driver Kyle Petty and his #45 Georgia-Pacific Dodge and driver Jeff Green and his #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge. Wells Fargo Financial, the North American consumer finance subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, is continuing and growing the sponsorship as a result of its highly successful three-year partnership with Petty Enterprises.
Petty Enterprises is unique in its ability to bring added value to a Nextel Cup sponsorship. "We are very happy with our relationship with Kyle and the entire Petty Enterprises team and excited to now be affiliated with Jeff Green and the celebrated #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge. Wells Fargo Financial is proud to be involved with one of the most celebrated names in all of NASCAR and in the fastest growing spectator sport in America," said Tom Gibbons, Director of Corporate Sponsorships.
"We're very pleased to have Wells Fargo Financial continue its sponsorship of Petty Enterprises," said Kyle Petty. "We believe they
are the premier financial services company in the U.S. and an excellent partner with our other top-quality sponsors, like General Mills, Georgia-Pacific and Coca-Cola."
The sponsorship has provided significant benefit and impact to Wells Fargo Financial's business lines through client/dealer incentives and entertainment, customer promotions, driver appearances, show car appearances and employee incentives. NASCAR's popularity exceeds the NBA, NHL and MLB combined and averages more than 190,000 fans attending each event and more than 7 million viewers per race. Over 80 million Americans call themselves fans of the sport. More info on Wells Fargo at financial.wellsfargo.com.(Williams Company PR)(9-20-2004)
Fans Vote Kyle Petty and Fonty Flock in Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame: Kyle Petty, son of seven-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion Richard Petty and Fonty Flock, a legendary NASCAR driver whose three siblings also competed, have been chosen by the fans to be enshrined in the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame in nearby Davey Allison Memorial Park on the eve of the Oct. 3 EA SPORTS 500. Petty will be inducted into the Walk of Fame as the active driver and Flock will be enshrined into the Walk of Fame as the inactive driver of 2004. The 2004 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Davey Allison Memorial Park in uptown Talladega, a block south of the town square. This year’s induction ceremony will be emceed by Benny Parsons and begins at 7 p.m. The event is free to the general public.
Petty is an eight-time series race winner and eight-time series pole winner. He made his series debut in 1979, with his first start coming at Talladega Superspeedway on August 5. In 2000, NASCAR Illustrated named Petty along with his father Richard and the entire Petty family, “persons of the year” for their charitable work. The Petty family opened Victory Junction Gang Camp, a medical camp for children and their families living with chronic and/or life- threatening illnesses, in honor of their late son Adam earlier this year. Flock, a native of Decatur, GA began his racing career in 1949. In 154 races, he posted 19 wins and 33 poles. Yet he is most noted for the fact that in nine of his 19 victories, he started from the pole position. He came from a racing family as younger brother Tim, older brother Bob and sister Ethel also raced. Flock passed away in 1972 at the age of 51. Fans can find out more about the Talladega/Texaco Walk of Fame on www.talladegawalk.com. The Talladega/Texaco Walk of Fame was created in 1994 after the death of Davey Allison. Since 1995, one active driver and two inactive drivers have been inducted into the Walk of Fame based on the fans’ vote. Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Neil Bonnett, Red Farmer and Davey Allison were inducted as the inaugural class in 1994 by decree of the board of directors. Past active driver inductees have included Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Hamilton, Ricky Rudd, Mark Martin and Darrell Waltrip. Richard Petty and Benny Parsons were the first inactive drivers to be inducted. Alan Kulwicki, Cale Yarborough, Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker, David Pearson, Junior Johnson, Harry Gant, Lee Petty, Tim Flock, Fireball Roberts, Buck Baker, Joe Weatherly. Red Byron, Bill Rexford, Jim Paschal, Rex White, Bobby Isaac and Herb Thomas have been inducted as inactive drivers.(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(8-18-2004)
Changes at Petty Enterprises UPDATE: Jeff Green and Kyle Petty will have new crew chiefs, and both teams have seen crew changes which begin immediately. Petty made the announcement today. Three crew members, including crew chief Greg Steadman, will move to the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge of driver Jeff Green this week. The move was precipitated by former crew chief Gary Putman leaving Petty Enterprises by mutual agreement. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity Richard Petty gave me at Petty Enterprises, and I am looking forward to the future too," Putnam said. "We both agreed we needed to try something different, so I am moving on to look for other opportunities."
Steadman, car chief David Hyder and race engineer David Hoelger move from the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge of Petty to Green's #43. While engineer Garth Finley, considered one of the top in his field on road course setup, will handle crew chief responsibilities at the Watkins Glen, N.Y., race this week for the #45, a permanent crew chief will be named next week. Ironically, it is the third straight year Finley has served as an interim crew chief at the Watkins Glen race.
"We really appreciate the effort Gary and all of the guys have given us. These changes will be good for everyone," Petty said. "Greg Steadman has worked with the #43 guys before and has done very well there, and we have some exciting things happening with the #45 too. We are looking forward to the future."(Williams Company PR)
AND Crew chief Gary Putnam and car chief Wayne Orme, both from the #43 Cheerios Dodge, were released on Monday. Ten-year Petty Enterprises veteran Greg Steadman returns to lead the #43 along with car chief David Hyder, race engineer David Hoelger and team engineer Adam Stevens. Driver Jeff Green is 34th in the Nextel Cup point standings, which is last among drivers who have competed in all 21 races this year. Team manager Jerry Freeze says that Petty Enterprises was looking for a one-team approach with two race teams that could work constructively with one another. "For us we felt like we had nothing to lose with two cars that were behind 30th in points," Freeze says. "We were nowhere near where we wanted to be, and we didn't feel the people we had were making the best of the resources that were available to the them. We wanted to bring people in that could grow with the program."
Multimatic engineer Garth Finley will assume the crew chief duties for the #45 Georgia Pacific/Brawny Dodge this weekend at Watkins Glen. The 34-year-old Albuquerque, N.M.- native was also interim crew chief during his three-year stint at Robert Yates Racing. Bill Henderson, who is currently car chief on the #10 Nextel Cup team, is expected to be named crew chief next week.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(8-11-2004)
UPDATE: Veteran mechanic Bill Henderson has been named crew chief of the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge of NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Kyle Petty. Henderson, 37, a native of Brookfield, Mass., now living in Mooresville, N.C., has been involved in NASCAR's highest levels of competition since 1999. Henderson joins Petty Enterprises from MBV Motorsports where he served as car chief for the #10 car of driver Scott Riggs. Henderson is familiar with the crew chief role. Henderson served as crew chief for the #12 FitzBradshaw NASCAR Busch Series team in 2003 for drivers Kerry Earnhardt and Tim Fedewa. Henderson also has past
experience working at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, serving as the car chief for Jason Leffler. "In the short time that I've been here I have been very impressed," said Henderson. "Petty Enterprises is very organized and one of the most professional organizations in Nextel Cup racing. I am excited to work for this Georgia-Pacific/Brawny team, not only for the rest of this season, but in the future as well."(Williams Company PR)(8-17-2004)
Petty in Nashville: Nextel Cup driver Kyle Petty is scheduled to be at Nashville Superspeedway tomorrow to accept a check from Toyota for his Victory Junction Camp for ailing children. Toyota and Darrell Waltrip auctioned off a truck with the proceeds designated to Petty's camp.(Tennessean)(8-14-2004)
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's Honored: Kyle and Pattie Petty have been named recipients of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award for the second quarter of 2004. On June 20, 2004 the doors officially opened to Victory Junction Gang Camp, welcoming chronically-ill children from all walks of life. Located just outside of Greensboro, N.C., the 75-acre site that looks, Kyle Petty said, "like Daytona USA collided with The Jetsons," is part theme-park, part campground. But fun through and through. Offering a chance for kids, regardless of their medical conditions, to be just that. Kids. The NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Members of the NMPA select four quarterly winners, from which an overall winner is chosen each year. It has been awarded annually since 1992. Others receiving second-quarter votes include NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Elliott Sadler and car owner Ray Evernham and Hermie Sadler.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-3-2004)
Austin Petty in wreck, is OK UPDATE: Austin Petty, 22-year-old son of Kyle and Pattie Petty, is recovering in a Greensboro, N.C., hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a motorcycle accident last night near Level Cross, N.C. Petty's motorcycle was hit by a car on Highway 62 near Level Cross Thursday evening. He was taken to Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro with two broken ankles and some minor injuries. His release is anticipated later this week.(Williams Company)(7-9-2004)
UPDATE: Kyle Petty was on his way to Chicagoland Speedway when he got word his son Austin’s motorcycle was struck by a car near their home in North Carolina. Kyle talked with Austin several times Friday and says he’s doing well. Petty said "They operated on him yesterday (Thursday) put pins in his broken ankles and may drain his left ankle Saturday. I’m not sure how long he’ll be in the hospital but he’ll be out by mid-week or so and he’ll be in a wheelchair for probably three or four weeks." While the younger Petty recovers, Dad has a plan for the 22-year old. "He’s going to be out of commission for a few weeks but we’ll send him to camp (Victory Junction Gang Camp) because the camp is wheelchair accessible and we’ll let him be a councilor so he’ll have a good time."(PRN's Garage Pass radio show)(7-10-2004)
Kyle to be master of ceremonies at Route 66: The rolling thunder of the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship [Motorcycles] rolls into Joliet, Ill., and Route 66 Raceway this Friday, July 9. The leading AMA Grand National riders from across the country will vie for the top prize on the half-mile oval in round seven of the 20-race series. In an historic first, this race is being held in conjunction with a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and Busch Series race at the neighboring Chicagoland Speedway. The AMA race will be held directly after Nextel Cup qualifying giving NASCAR fans a unique opportunity to see AMA Grand National motorcycle racing. Many of NASCAR's top drivers are expected to be among the crowd taking in the exciting two-wheel action Friday night and Kyle Petty will be on hand as Master of Ceremonies.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(7-9-2004)
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)
Harsh [but correct] words by Kyle: Kyle Petty says NASCAR should boycott Talladega Superspeedway after fans littered the track last weekend with trash and debris because that race finished under caution. "They should not allow a race back at Talladega for throwing beer cans on the race track," Petty said. "When we've got guys riding around [under caution] at 70, 80 mph, throwing beer cans on the race track, it's dangerous. We should not go back to that race track. That's pitiful that those people call themselves fans. That's Kyle Petty's opinion and I'll stand by that forever. I don't care how disgruntled you are, that's crap. I've been to football games and didn't like the endings. Did I pick up crap and throw it down on the field and hit the guys in the back of the head or throw stuff at the coaches. No."(Roanoke Times)(5-2-2004)
Petty finishes 11th and 2nd: Kyle Petty [with Gunnar Jeannette] finished the Food City 250 at Phoenix International Raceway in 11th [of 40 listed] overall, and 2nd in the GT class [won by Boris Said and Bill Auberlen] in the #45 Gunnar Racing / Porsche GT3 RS. Max Angelelli held off Scott Pruett in the closing laps to give SunTrust Racing its first-ever Rolex Sports Car Series win the overall race on Saturday night. For more see the PIR site.(4-11-2004)
Kyle Petty to Talk to Teens about Safety: Petty Enterprises driver #45-Kyle Petty is scheduled to take part in Georgia-Pacific Corp.'s Teen Safety 500 program for five suburban Pittsburgh schools next Wednesday [April 14th]. Students from Elizabeth Forward, South Allegheny, Thomas Jefferson, West Mifflin and McKeesport are scheduled to take part in the program to promote safe driving practices among teenagers. Petty is scheduled to sign autographs and pose for photos with the students.(Williams Company PR)(4-10-2004)
Kyle Petty Returns to Rolex Series for Phoenix 250: Kyle Petty announced that he will return to the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series next month, competing in the Phoenix 250 at Phoenix International Raceway, April 10 [off weekend for Nextel Cup]. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver will rejoin Gunnar Racing, this time at the wheel of the No. 45 Porsche GT3 RS. Petty kicked off his 2004 racing season by competing in his fifth Rolex 24 At Daytona earlier this year, teaming with famed-actor Paul Newman, Gunnar Jeannette and Michael Brockman in the Gunnar Racing entry. Jeannette and Petty will team back up in the No. 45 Porsche for the Phoenix 250. Petty is no stranger to the Rolex Sports Car Series, competing in seven races over the last three seasons. He teamed with John Andretti for the GT victory at Watkins Glen International in 2001 and has scored five class podium finishes, including a second-place finish with Jeannette and Newman in the GTS class at Watkins Glen last season. Petty's No. 45 Porsche is one of 40 race cars on the pre-entry list for the Phoenix 250 announced earlier this week. Tickets to the Phoenix 250, round three of the Rolex Series, are available at www.phoneixraceway.com. The Phoenix 250 will be broadcast LIVE on SPEED Channel, April 10 at 9 p.m. ET. For additional information on the Rolex Sports Car Series, visit www.grandamerican.com.(Phoenix International Raceway PR)(3-24-2004)
Teen who helps others, joins forces with Kyle: Zach Frye was eight years old when he met Kyle Petty on a South Carolina beach 10 years ago. Petty was vacationing, gathering sand dollars with his daughter Montgomery Lee. Kyle invited Zach to join them. A decade later, that chance meeting paid dividends to needy Bristol-area citizens. Over the next 10 years, Zach followed Kyle's career, particularly Petty's charitable work in the Bristol area. Petty's successful "Race To End Hunger" food drive collected thousands of pounds of food for the Bristol Emergency Food Pantry.
Zach picked up where Petty left off, and he created a highly-successful food drive of his own. Next week at Bristol, Petty will meet Zach again as the Blountville, Tenn., youth serves as an honorary member Kyle Petty's #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawney Dodge crew.
Last year, the Sullivan Central High School