#55 Team News Archive
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
2002 News
Benny Pays Up UPDATE and the Golden Benny: Benny Parsons has had a long standing bet that if any Pit Crew can do a four tire pit stop under 13.00 seconds in competition that he would pay all seven members of the crew 100 dollars each [total $700]. Last week at Pocono Benny Parsons had to pay up. The # 55 Schneider Electric Pit Crew busted off a 12.95 second Pit Stop back in June at the Michigan International Speedway. Benny Parsons reviewed the tape and agreed that the stop was legit. The # 55 Schneider Electric Pit Crew is the first team to take the money from Benny.(National Association of Pit Crew Members PR)(8-1-2002)
UPDATE: before the race on Sunday at Michigan, Parsons presented the crew with the $700 and the Golden Benny. Parsons also said he has $700 for one more team to do the sub 13.0 second pit stop.(8-19-2002)
Rudd still in the running for the Jerry Jones team? Free-agent driver Ricky Rudd says he has not shut down negotiations on a possible deal with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Rudd reiterated that he hopes to learn next week about the status of his No. 1 choice, a contract that reportedly would see him join car owner Chip Ganassi's Dodge Intrepid stable. But Rudd, 45, said the Cup team being formed by Jones and team owner Andy Petree remains an option. "Until these deals are done, you don't want to burn all your bridges and opportunities," said Rudd, lame-duck driver of the #28 Havoline Ford owned by Robert Yates. "Right now, I don't have a written contract for next year. I don't have a verbal agreement for next year. I think we've got a commitment by an owner [Ganassi] and a driver that want to work things out. And it probably will, but, until that's done, I don't want to say 'no' to anything else out there."(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(8-11-2002)
Starr to Cup/Petree/Jones in 2003? CTS driver David Starr said he has been contacted about the driver's vacancy on the NASCAR team being assembled by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and current Winston Cup [#33, #55] team owner Andy Petree. Ricky Rudd, the team's first choice, apparently is preparing to sign with car owner Chip Ganassi for 2003. Starr, a regular in the CTS, said Cowboys marketing executive John Hickman attended Friday night's race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Starr finished 34th in that event and fell from second to seventh in the points chase after, ironically, crashing with Petree's truck. Starr said Hickman recently told him to expect a call from Petree, who has yet to officially announce the structure of his partnership with Jones. "You could say I'm still a candidate," said Starr, who is in his first year of driving full time for truck owner Wayne Spears. "It all depends on how my season ends up. I might want to stay in the Truck Series another year and get some more experience. It wouldn't be a dumb move on my part. Right now, I'm just focused on trying to win this championship."(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(8-4-2002)
Benny Pays Up: Benny Parsons has had a long standing bet that if any Pit Crew can do a four tire pit stop under 13.00 seconds in competition that he would pay all seven members of the crew 100 dollars each [total $700]. Last week at Pocono Benny Parsons had to pay up. The # 55 Schneider Electric Pit Crew busted off a 12.95 second Pit Stop back in June at the Michigan International Speedway. Benny Parsons reviewed the tape and agreed that the stop was legit. The # 55 Schneider Electric Pit Crew is the first team to take the money from Benny.(National Association of Pit Crew Members PR)(I had just assumed it was for a race NBC/TNT covered with Benny in the booth)(8-1-2002)
Hamilton to decide his 2003 plans in a month or two; Jr moving up?: Bobby Hamilton, who won his first Winston Cup race driving for the legendary Richard Petty, appears to be headed back. The veteran driver from Nashville yesterday said he will make a decision on who he will drive for next season ''in the next month or two'' and confirmed that Petty Enterprises is high on the list of prospects. Hamilton said ''about 12 rides will be open, and about five top drivers available,'' which means some opportunities for some newcomers — perhaps including Bobby Hamilton Jr. ''Bobby has talked to some people [about moving from Busch to Winston Cup],'' his father said. ''We'll have to wait and see what's out there.''(Tennessean)(7-25-2002)
Petree in a truck at IRP: Fresh from a successful test at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Andy Petree will drive his own truck in next week’s CTS race event at the .686-mile oval. "Whether or not we ran wasn’t dependent upon (Tuesday’s) test but I wanted to have tested before we formally announced we were running the race," said Petree. "We took a Winston Cup car up there and learned some things, got me some time behind the wheel, and I think we’re going to have a good run in the race next week. Darrell Waltrip tested some with us, and that has to help." Petree will make his second start in the Truck series, having been a major factor in pole qualifying and the race in April at Martinsville. Petree qualified third, and ran among the leaders until late in the race when a mechanical problem sidelined him. He is fielding a truck for Winston Cup star Tony Stewart in September at Richmond, and hasn’t ruled out driving a second truck himself in that event. Petree tested a Winston Cup car at IRP but feels that will help his team not only with the Truck series races at IRP and Richmond, but also to this Winston Cup team at like speedways. One of the team’s associate sponsors is expected to sponsor the Truck for IRP, and Petree said he is still talking with potential sponsors for the race at Richmond.(Williams Company PR)(7-23-2002)
Hamilton on possible Petty return from a interview with FSN's Winston Kelley AND: Winston Kelley: I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you the latest news. It looks like you're going to be moving on. What can you tell us about your future?
Bobby Hamilton: I'm talking to a lot of people right now. Needless to say I need to be in a Dodge. Those people have been very good to me the last three or four years. I have two factory-backed truck teams. Chevrolet has been good to me. You sort of got me on the spot, but good business sense would be to go to a Dodge if I can get there. I'm definitely talking to Kyle (Petty) about that. Seeing what's happening there, I think their program has really come a long way. They've got Robin (Pemberton, vice president of Petty Enterprises) there, and I've been listening to what Kyle and Robin have been doing there. Petty Enterprises is fixing to be one of the elite teams in the next year or so I'm real excited about maybe having a shot at that.(FoxSports)(7-15-2002)
AND Kyle Petty says he doesn't expect hire a driver for the #44 team for another two to three months. Steve Grissom is driving that car this season.(Roanoke Times)(7-15-2002)
More on Hamilton to Petty - to sign at Pocono? Bobby Hamilton, feeling unwanted at Andy Petree Racing, is disgruntled with his current situation and reportedly will leave the team following the 2002 season. Rumor on Friday had Hamilton moving to Petty Enterprises. He may ink the deal with the Pettys at Pocono in two weeks.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-13-2002)
Hamilton will NOT return to the #55 in 2003 UPDATE 2 nothing signed: #55-Bobby Hamilton said Saturday he's not returning to Andy Petree Racing next season. "I just don't like change. I'm afraid there might be changes in the organization in different areas or whatever. I'm not sure exactly what. I just don't like change," Hamilton said. "I know Andy is a good car owner and he'll land on his feet in the future, but I don't want to be in the middle of change. It's too damn hard any more. I like to stay with established stuff." Hamilton said he and Petree both had until June 30 to notify each other in writing they had intentions to work together next season. Neither exercised that option. Hamilton's likely destination is Petty Enterprises, sources confirmed Saturday. Hamilton drove for Petty Enterprises from 1995 to 2000, where he won his first series race in 1996 at Phoenix and also had his best finish in the points race, ninth in 1996. "I'm not thinking about retiring. I just won last year. I could have won three races this season," Hamilton, 45, said. "I don't want to go through the building process again." Asked about his destination, Hamilton said there was one team he was especially interested in, but elected not to name it. He did say he would like to join the Dodge camp. Petty Enterprises currently fields three Dodge teams - the #45 with Kyle Petty, the #43 with John Andretti and the #44 with Steve Grissom. Grissom came on board this season when the team released driver Buckshot Jones.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-6-2002)
UPDATE: WNDB-AM 1150, Daytona Beach reported that a source told them Hamilton will be offered the #44 ride at the end of the season. Apparently this deal is all but done.(7-8-2002)
UPDATE 2: a source tells me that Petty Enterprises has not signed Bobby Hamilton or anyone else for the 2003 season, nor have they made any decision as to who and/or when they will do so. All options remain open.(7-9-2002)
No Petree/Jones 'merger'? BUT: The shape of Andy Petree's operation next season has been the subject of considerable debate the past two months, as Petree negotiates with Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys. However, there are signs that a merger, which once seemed so promising, might not happen at all. There have been reports that the negotiations aren't going that well. Now there are reports that the operation will likely get Robert Yates' engines, and Ricky Rudd is considered at the top of Jones' list of potential drivers. Rudd's other two offers are figured to be with Chip Ganassi's third Dodge team and with a DEI's Chevy team. Where that leaves Petree, of course, is unclear. And where it leaves driver Bobby Hamilton [says he is not returning, see story below] and crew chief Jimmy Elledge is equally unclear. There are signs that Elledge might move back to the Yates camp for the 2003 season. And there are indications that Hamilton will have to sign on with a Dodge Winston Cup team if he is to keep Dodge's support of his NASCAR truck-series operation; if so, keep an eye on Hamilton, Petty Enterprises and Ganassi.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-7-2002)
BUT: NASCAR team owner Andy Petree says he and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones are "a week or so away" from formally announcing their new Winston Cup partnership. "We're trying to get all the details worked out of our deal," Petree said in the garage area of the Daytona International Speedway before Saturday night's Pepsi 400. "We're close to making an announcement. But I'd rather save that and make some impact, if and when we do." Petree did say that contrary to reports in various media, he has not decided to field Fords beginning in 2003. And Petree said the team definitely will not move from Hendersonville, N.C., to the sport's hub of Charlotte/Concord, NC. "I know it's taken a lot longer for us to get this thing done than I'd like," said Petree, who has been negotiating with Jones since February. "The fact is, we don't have anything that we can formally announce at this second. It's going to be soon. We're still a week or so away." Petree speculated, however, that the announcement could be made as late as the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the weekend of Aug. 2-4, to maximize national exposure. Petree, whose team has struggled to secure sponsorship to run a full-time two-car operation this season, competed in the Pepsi 400 with the #55 Schneider Electric Chevy driven by Bobby Hamilton and the #33 1-800-CALL-ATT Chevy driven by Mike Wallace. A Chevrolet loyalist, Petree said he "got into trouble" with GM Racing executives following a published report last month that he was going to join the Ford Taurus camp next year. "I do have a good relationship with GM," said Petree, who is the "A" part of the RAD program that also includes Cup team owner Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt Inc. The three Chevy teams have shared a variety of aerodynamic information while developing the Monte Carlo, especially for carburetor restrictor-plate tracks like the high-banked, 2.5-mile DIS. "If this thing does turn out not to be with GM, I'd rather be the one to kind of tell 'em," Petree said. "And that's a big 'if.' If it's going to be a Ford team, we'll tell you. Right now, we don't know. And there's no doubt we are considering if it's going to be a Ford team or not." Petree, 43, was adamant that the team would not relocate from its current base. "We're in Hendersonville," said Petree, who won his first two races as a car owner last year with Hamilton and Joe Nemechek. "I've heard those rumors all over the place. I don't know what they are or where they came from." Petree said he would prefer to run a two-car operation full-time next year, but that "some details" needed to be worked out. A Cup car owner since 1997, Petree was crew chief for seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt's Cup-winning seasons at Richard Childress Racing in 1993 and 1994. As a crew chief, Petree has earned 25 Cup victories and 10 pole positions. Earlier this week here, veteran driver Ricky Rudd confirmed that he had met with Jones and Petree in Dallas shortly after winning the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, Calif., on June 23. "That's OK if Ricky said that," Petree said of the meeting. "I didn't say that." Rudd said he was impressed with the plan the new partners mapped out for him. Rudd, 45, has set a self-imposed deadline of July 15 to make a decision on his racing future.(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(7-7-2002)
AND Owner Andy Petree and Ricky Rudd were spotted together at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on their way back from Sears Point. Speculation is that Rudd is a leading candidate to drive one of the cars in a possible deal between Petree and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and principals from the Jones camp were in Daytona last weekend. Rudd says he presented a contract offer to Robert Yates to stay in the No. 28 Ford beyond 2002 but is considering other offers because he did not receive a solid response. Rudd might get more money signing with Jones/Petree, but he wouldn't have a chance to win a championship with a start-up team.(Sporting News)(7-8-2002)
#55 scheme at Chicago: On July 14th, Inside Traxx invades Chicagoland Speedway for the NBC televised Tropicana 400 as multi-platinum recording artist Jo Dee Messina performs a pre-race concert, sings the National Anthem and has her likeness and Inside Traxx logo on the #55 Schneider Electric Chevy. Bobby and Jo Dee team up at the beginning of the race and hope to end up together in the Winner's Circle.(Motorsports Decisions Group) see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(7-3-2002)
Rudd to retire? UPDATE: Justin Ditmore of WSLS Newschannel 10 reports that Ricky Rudd has made a decision on his future in the 28 car, and in racing in general. Sources tell Newschannel 10 hat the 45 year old has decided to call it quits after the 2002 season. Rudd's contract with Robert Yates Racing is up after this year,, he's made no secret he'd like to spend more time at home with his family.(WSLS Newschannel 10-NBC)(6-27-2002)
UPDATE: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that Ricky Rudd met with Jerry Jones [who is supposedly buying intp Andy Petree Racing] about driving for him next season.(6-28-2002)
Petree buying Ford equipment? UPDATE 4 Penske Dodge? Denied by Wallace: But insiders say that this week [Andy] Petree [#'s 33/55] has been on a six-figure shopping spree buying cars and parts from Penske.(Sporting News) AND Chevy car owner Andy Petree and Jerry Jones, of the Dallas Cowboys, still haven't announced anything officially, but sources say that Petree and Jones have bought a number of Fords from Penske South.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-15-2002)
UPDATE: Andy Petree Racing has purchased several Fords from the Penske South team in preparation for switching to the Ford Taurus next season when Petree becomes a partner with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, a Penske official confirmed Sunday. Petree now uses Chevrolets with the No. 55 Schneider Electric car that Bobby Hamilton drives, but the team, which will be back to two cars next year, will switch to the Taurus in 2003 because of a sponsor relationship the Cowboys have with Ford. The fact that Roger Penske is willing to sell some of his cars to Petree could be an indication that the two-car Penske team may switch to Dodge next year as Penske has been talking to Dodge officials for more than a month.(Dallas Morning News - may need to register to read)(6-17-2002)
UPDATE 2: been told that the equipment that Andy Petree bought from Penskee was sold at an open auction. The vast majority of the equipment were surplus items and most of it came from now defunct Jeremy Mayfield team [was #12 last year]. Also been told that the Penske team will be sticking with Ford and are still developing new cars and engines.(6-19-2002)
UPDATE 3: Once again, Robin Miller, of RPM 2 Night on ESPN2 said on Wednesdays show that Penske Racing will switch to Dodge.(6-21-2002)
UPDATE 4 - NO DODGE: Rusty Wallace has dismissed talk that Penske Racing will switch to Dodge for the 2003 Winston Cup season. "There is nothing to that at all," Wallace said. "We have so much time invested in what we are doing. We are not changing." Penske Racing has been one of Ford's flagship teams since 1994, when they switched to Ford from Pontiac.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(6-22-2002)
NAPCM Pit Crew of the Week #55 Schneider Electric Crew - The #55 Crew had some of the fastest stops on pit road
in Michigan (13.44, 14.54, 12.85, 14.3, 14.45) and deserve to be this weeks NAPCM (National Association of Pit Crew Members) Pit Crew of the Week.(NAPCM PR)(6-18-2002)
#21 close to a new 2003 driver soon? UPDATE 2: The Wood Brothers appear to be closing in on a driver they want for the #21 Ford in 2003, according to team sources, and a decision could come soon. One rumor has them looking at Bobby Hamilton, driver of the #55 Andy Petree Chevy.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-15-2002)
UPDATE: Owner Len Wood says the team has a short list of candidates to fill the seat in the No. 21 Ford next season, and Bobby Hamilton is among them. "We talked to the head guys at Motorcraft (the team's sponsor) to get their opinion on what we should do," Wood says. "Could be a week, could be six weeks, but we know who we want." Hamilton, who owns three Dodge teams in the Craftsman Truck Series, would prefer to drive an Intrepid in Winston Cup, but says he is listening to all offers.(Sporting News)(6-17-2002)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR.com reports that Winston Cup drivers Bobby Hamilton [#55], Mike Wallace [#33 part time], Johnny Benson [#10] and Jerry Nadeau [looking] are on the Wood Brothers list of drivers for 2003, as well as a handful of unnamed Busch Series drivers [Jason Keller has been one rumor]. "This deal changes every day, and who knows, by nightfall tonight this whole list could be drastically changed," Eddie Wood said. "As of today, though, we're down to three or four drivers we're looking at. Some we've talked to, some we haven't. We haven't met with everybody yet, but it's pretty much down to four."(NASCAR.com)(6-18-2002)
Hamilton Looking - Ganassi? With the future of Andy Petree Racing unsettled, Bobby Hamilton is exploring his options for 2003. Petree has been talking to Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones about becoming a partner in the team. Jones is expected to try to land a high-profile driver and may want a driver with ties to Texas for a possible second team. Hamilton’s heard from several other teams, including Chip Ganassi Racing, according to a source close to the situation. That operation has talked of eventually adding a third team and Hamilton could figure into the mix.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-13-2002)
More on Petree/Jones: Jerry Jones and Andy Petree still haven't finished their deal to team up next season, but Jones is pushing hard to land a top-notch driver. One man on Jones' optimistic list is Tony Stewart [has been denied by Stewart and Gibbs in about every media outlet], according to team sources. Stewart isn't figured to be interested in leaving the Joe Gibbs camp, but that his name has come up shows that Jones is thinking big. Petree says there's been no movement on the Jerry Jones front in the last week, but team sources say that General Motors executives are now trying to put together a deal to keep Petree in the GM fold, possibly in Pontiacs next season.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-10-2002)
Jerry Jones and Petree close to a deal UPDATE 2 Jarrett says no: Nearly a year after acknowledging an interest in owning a Winston Cup car, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are close to buying controlling interest in the Andy Petree racing team, Petree said Wednesday. "We're just about there," Petree said. "I think we're where we need to be to get it done. We've been close for a long time, and all we need to do is get it down on paper so it reflects all of the things that we've talked about." Petree declined to discuss specifics of the negotiations, but said the sides had cleared all major obstacles. Under the agreement, the Cowboys would handle the racing team's marketing; Petree would have final say on racing matters. One Cowboys source said a letter of intent, normally the final step before a contract is drawn up, has not yet been written. Still, two team sources said the Cowboys expect the deal to be done this summer, well before the start of the 2003 Winston Cup season. Two Cowboys sources said the football team would pay at least $6 million to buy a stake in Petree Racing. The sources said the Cowboys total expenses would be about $21 million, with approximately $15 million per year to operate two cars on the circuit and pay for equipment, drivers, trailers to haul cars and other expenses. A Cowboys source said the club has discussed unveiling its cars during halftime of a regular-season game, perhaps the Thanksgiving Day game against the Washington Redskins because of the national-TV exposure. Buying a stake in Petree's team would make the Cowboys the first sports franchise to be a primary sponsor for a major Winston Cup car. Several sources said the Cowboys have had preliminary discussions with Pizza Hut about sponsoring a car, and Pizza Hut spokeswoman Julie Hildebrand confirmed the club had made a proposal but nothing more than that. One Cowboys source and one NASCAR source said the Cowboys have also had preliminary talks with Ciclon Energy Drink about sponsoring a car. Elmer Scheiber, Ciclon's chief executive officer, could not be reached for comment. A NASCAR source said the Cowboys are interested in having one well-known driver and one driver with local ties. Team officials have talked to David Starr, who lives in Irving, about potentially being one of the racing team's two drivers next season. Starr, who declined to comment, run in the CTS. "The next step is getting a driver," Petree said. "That's why we have to get the contracts signed. Then we can press on." A team source said Tuesday the club is close to an agreement with Ford to become the club's sponsor in the car/truck category. Petree acknowledged the racing team will switch from Chevrolet to Ford next season because the car maker has a deal with the Cowboys.(Dallas Morning News - may need to register to read)(5-23-2002)
UPDATE: Car owner [#33 and #55] Andy Petree said he and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys have finally come to an agreement to run a two-team Winston Cup operation next season, and sources close to the situation say that the top driver on Jones' list is Dale Jarrett, the 1999 series champion now driving for Robert Yates and that Jones is willing to pay whatever it takes to get him. Petree wouldn't confirm or deny Jarrett is on the list, but Petree, an Asheville car owner, said the Jones-Petree operation would be fielding two strong teams with top drivers. And Petree said that Bobby Hamilton's contract was up at the end of this season, leaving that situation unsettled.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-24-2002)
UPDATE 2: Despite recent reports to the contrary, Dale Jarrett has no plans of leaving Robert Yates Racing. And in fact, he's agitated that such speculation has surfaced and no one so much as asked him about it. "I'm (ticked) off about it," Jarrett said, stationed behind his transporter Saturday morning at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "I respect (the media) enough that when y'all come to me and ask me something, I tell y'all the truth. And so far, nobody's come to me and asked me if I'm going anywhere." Jarrett was rumored to be making a move to Andy Petree Racing to drive the #55 Chevy. He confirmed that Petree had inquired about the partnership, but at no time did he give any notion that he might change rides. Petree, meanwhile, said he is still in negotiations with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about a potential partnership, but declined to discuss the matter. Jarrett said his contract at RYR, as well as that of sponsor United Parcel Service, runs through the 2004 Winston Cup season. He also said that Yates is currently negotiating with UPS about an extension, with Jarrett as driver, through 2006.(NASCAR.com)(5-25-2002)
Hamilton in Video: #55-Bobby Hamilton, who owns the #'s. 4, 8 and 18 Dodge trucks, is expected to make a cameo appearance in country music singer Jo Dee Messina's music video for Dare To Dream, which will be shot at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tenn., formerly known as Nashville Speedway. (Daytona Beach News Journal)(5-9-2002)
Elledge back at Andy Petree Racing: As the Schneider Electric Racing Team heads to Richmond International Raceway this weekend, they will welcome back Crew Chief Jimmy Elledge to lead the #55 team. Elledge returns after logging one top-10 finish in his brief stint at Robert Yates Racing and the #88 team. "Working at Andy Petree Racing was a great situation from day one, but sometimes the grass is greener on the other side," Elledge said in the shop on his first day back. "I think there were a lot of things here that were really good. But there were a lot of things I questioned here, that by being away I was able to answer. The bottom line is you have to be happy at the end of the day," Elledge continued. "I feel wanted here. These guys are big supporters of me. When you feel wanted by the people around you, it makes you feel good." While driver Bobby Hamilton looks forward to working with Elledge again, he also appreciates all of the hard work and effort put in by former Crew Chief Charley Pressley. "Being a car owner myself I understand where Andy (Petree) is coming from," Hamilton said. "But then again I had complete confidence in Charley and think he is a really smart crew chief. Charley and I are tight and I wish the best for him. But because of the relationship I have already established with Jimmy, I know I’m in good hands."(Motosports Decisions PR and Crew Chief Club), no word on Pressley's plans.(5-1-2002)
More on Jerry Jones and Petree: Car owner [#'s 33 and 55] Andy Petree said his talks with representatives from the Dallas Cowboys continue. Petree has been in discussion with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones since last October about partnering. "We still haven't finalized anything about what we're going to do and how we're going to do it, but we are talking really daily," Petree said. "If we're going to do something, we're probably going to need to get something done in the next 30 to 45 days."(Roanoke Times)(4-17-2002)
Penalties Announced: NASCAR officials have announced penalties for two NASCAR Winston Cup crew chiefs. Jimmy Fennig, crew chief of the #97 Ford, received a $1,000 fine for a rule violation found during pre-race inspection prior to Sunday's Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Fennig was penalized under Section 12-4-Q in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book, "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: deck lid." Charley Pressley, crew chief of the #55 Chevy, received a $500 fine and was penalized under Section 12-4-W, "Weight attached in a location that was not acceptable to NASCAR Officials."(NASCAR PR)(4-16-2002)
Jones and Petree news UPDATE: Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys' owner, had a dinner meeting with [#33/55 Car owner Andy] Petree over the weekend to discuss Jones' plans to buy into part of Petree's Asheville operation. The two have been talking about teaming for more than a year now, but management issues may be holding things up.(Winston Salem Journal). See my #33 Team News and Links page for past news on this.(4-8-2002)
UPDATE: Cowboys owners Jerry Jones didn't show up in the garage area at Texas Motor Speedway, but he did have a dinner meeting with Winston Cup team owner Andy Petree to discuss Jones' plan to buy a majority ownership in Petree's team. Jones and Petree need to finalize how the team will be structured next season. Other NASCAR owners have said they believe Petree, a former Winston Cup crew chief, will continue to be in control of all the race-related decisions.(Dallas Morning News)(4-9-2002)
BACE and APR UPDATE: BACE Motorsports and Andy Petree Racing announced the formation of a strategic alliance in conjunction with BACE Motorsports Cup debut with driver Chad Little. BACE Motorsports will field the #74 Chevy in up to 15 Winston Cup events during the 2002 season with engines and chassis supplied by Andy Petree Racing (APR). Additionally, the alliance includes the continuous sharing of information between the #74 Team and Andy Petree Racing's current Winston Cup entry, the #55 Chevy driven by Bobby Hamilton.. The two teams will work together to exchange technical information learned on and off track in efforts to increase their collective performance. Both teams feel the information sharing is an integral part of the partnership. Little, a former NASCAR Winston West Champion, will pilot the #74 entry in a limited schedule, initially focusing on intermediate tracks, as the team actively seeks corporate sponsorship.. Following BACE's debut at California Speedway on April 28, 2002, Little will run The Winston Open and Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, then the June events at Dover and Michigan. Additional events will be named as the 2002 season progresses.(ignition, inc. PR)(4-4-2002)
UPDATE: Petree is expected to reach an ownership agreement with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that will begin next season.(Dallas Morning News).(4-5-2002)
Fittipaldi and Petree? #55 and #33 car owner Andy Petree is expressing an interest in CART-Busch driver Christian Fittipaldi. Petree has cut back his two-car effort to a single-car [#55] team after losing sponsorship.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-23-2002)
Hamilton changes paint to match track: Over the years Darlington Raceway has been labeled as the "Lady in Black.". This weekend for the Carolina Dodge Dealer's 400, it won't be the only black beast on the 1.366-mile oval.. Bobby Hamilton will debut a new black paint scheme on his #55 Schneider Electric Chevy. The Chevy will display a large green Schneider Electric "S" logo on the hood in an effort to give the Andy Petree Racing Chevy a more distinct appearance on the race track(Motorsports Decisions). See my Paint Scheme Gallery for the image.(3-13-2002)
APR Layoffs? hearing that Andy Patree Raicing [APR] has laid off 7-8 employee's. APR is till looking for a sponsor for the #33 team.(3-16-2002)
APR gets Assoc sponsor: Monaco Coach Corporation has joined forces with Andy Petree Racing, and will be an associate sponsor for both the #55 Schneider Electric Chevrolet and the #33 APR Chevrolet. Monoco Vice President Ed Kinney and car owner Andy Petree made the announcement this morning. "Having a quality company like Monaco become part of the Andy Petree Racing family is great for both companies," Petree said. "Monaco has a commitment to quality and a strong belief in working hard to be the best. We do too, and that's the type of businesses both of us want to be associated with." The Coburg, Ore., based corporation has become one of the world's leading RV manufacturer since it was founded in 1968, and remains one of the fastest-growing in the industry. Andy Petree Racing fields two NASCAR Winston Cup cars and was one of just three multi-car teams to have multi-car victories last season. "We have a firm belief in NASCAR fans and a firm belief in Andy Petree Racing," Kinney said. "One of the world's fastest growing RV manufacturers taking a larger role in the world's fastest growing sport is just a natural. We're proud to be a part of NASCAR racing and a part of Andy Petree's winning operation."(Williams Company PR), note: ot doesn't say when the next race for the #33 will be, last reported was the April Talladega race.(3-11-2002)
Hamilton DNF's: #55-Bobby Hamilton had his first DNF (did not finish) since the Phoenix race in Nov 2000, a streak of 40 races. The new streak leaders are #24-Gordon at 34, #99-Burton at 32 and #40-Marlin with 31 straight races without a DNF. See my DNF Page for past DNF's and who has the most.(3-3-2002)
More on APR and Jerry Jones: Andy Petree yesterday said conversations are continuing between him and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about Jones buying into his Winston Cup team. ''We met at Daytona last week and we are still talking,'' Petree said. ''Right now that's all I can tell you.'' According to Dallas newspaper reports, Jones wants to become Petree's partner, maybe even buying controlling interest in the team and fielding a car carrying the Cowboys' colors. Jones was not seen a Rockingham yesterday.(Tennessean)(2-23-2002)
Jerry Jones with Andy Petree? UPDATE 3 and 4 and DW?: I am hearing Sports Illustrated is reporting that Andy Petree and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones are talking about a possible partnership of partial ownership and sponsorship for the #33 car of Joe Nemechek. According to the story, Jones wants partial ownership and Richard Childress, with who he has also had discussions, is not willing to do that. Petree and Jones have begun discussions along those lines(haven't seen it or seen it online)(8-13-2001)
UPDATE: One man suddenly mentioned as such a potential partner is Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Jones has been negotiating with Richard Childress for a NASCAR team deal for the past six months. "I have not talked with Jerry Jones, but I would like to talk to him, I really would," Petree said. "If the deal isn't going to happen with Childress, I'd like to talk to Jerry. There really isn't a story there yet. We're still trying to get Square D signed (renewing sponsorship for the Bobby Hamilton team), and hopefully that will happen by the end of the month. But we're not seeing the movement out there we'd like to see with our other team (Joe Nemechek)."(Winston Salem Journal)(8-15-2001)
UPDATE 2: Haven't seen much on this in a while: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may become a part owner of a Winston Cup team next season. Andy Petree, who owns the #33 and #55 cars, said Sunday that he and Jones have been negotiating for months and continued their talks before the Daytona 500. "We've been talking for quite a while," Petree said. "We've kept it kind of quiet until now, but it's hard to keep it quiet when we walk in here together. [Jones] is a good man. We've spent a lot of time together, and we're looking forward to doing some things together." Petree said Jones first approached him in October, and he said the deal would be for co-ownership of both of Petree's teams. But any venture involving Jones won't be soon enough to help Petree this season. His #33 Chevrolet is without sponsorship and may not be in the field next week at Rockingham. "This relationship isn't gong to solve any of the problems we have right now," Petree said.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(2-18-2002)
UPDATE 3: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is discussing a deal that would make him either full or part owner of Andy Petree's financially strapped NASCAR Winston Cup team before the start of the 2003 season. Jones spent approximately 40 minutes Sunday morning meeting with Petree in his hauler in the garage area at Daytona, prior to the green flag for the season-opening Daytona 500.(ThatsRacin.com)
UPDATE 4: Jones is expected to announce soon that he will purchase controlling interest in the two-car Winston Cup team of Andy Petree. Some of the details still need to be worked out, but Jones is close to breaking new ground by making the Cowboys the first NFL franchise with a full-time presence in NASCAR. By 2003, a blue and silver car with the Cowboys star could be turning laps. The Petree cars are Chevrolets now, but don't be surprised to see a switch to Fords next season when the new arrangement begins.(Dallas Morning News - need to register)(2-20-2002)
ALSO DW? also hearing that Jones met early Sunday morning at Daytona with Darrell Waltrip to discuss a role for Waltrip with the Jones racing organization.(2-20-2002)
2001 News
New #55 Crew Chief: Charley Pressley, has joined Square D Racing and will give the #55 Schneider Electric Chevy driven by Bobby Hamilton seasoned help for the 2002 Cup Series season. On Tuesday, Hamilton and the team welcomed their new crew chief at the Andy Petree Racing (APR) shop located in Flat Rock, NC. Pressley honed his strong leadership abilities and added to his Winston Cup experience when he worked with Hamilton while Hamilton drove the #4 Chevy in 1998. Pressley cited his communication with Hamilton as the best factor of their relationship.(Motorsports Decisions Group PR)(12-21-2001)
Hamilton tests at Nashville: #55-Bobby Hamilton spent a day testing at Nashville Superspeedway last week in preparation for the upcoming Cup season. NASCAR limits teams to seven ''official'' tests a year on tracks where Winston Cup races are run. Tests on non-Cup tracks like Nashville Superspeedway don't count. Teams can practice there as often as they want. Hawks did not charge Hamilton a fee for the session. Hamilton was only required to pay for expenses such as rescue workers and other personnel who had to be on hand for the test.(Tennessean)(12-20-2001)
APR Crew Chief(#55) and Sponsor(#33): Although Jimmy Elledge’s move to crew chief for Dale Jarrett [#88] surprised his former team, the #55 Chevrolet (Bobby Hamilton), there will be no rush to name a replacement. Andy Petree, with help from shop foreman Jeff Swann, will call the shots on his car for the time being. G.M. Steve Barkdoll says the team wants to limit activities because it is close to naming a sponsor for the sister car, the #33 Chevrolet. It hopes to secure Mike Wallace as the driver(Sporting News)(12-10-2001)
#55 Scheme for 2002? have two possible 2002 paint schemes for the #55 Schneider Electric/Sqaure-D Chevy on my Paint Schemes Gallery(12-10-2001)
Petree in no rush: hearing that #33 and #55 car owner, Andy Petree is looking to hire a car chief first, and then decide on the crew chief (unless a good candidate for crew chief shows up first). APR has fielded many calls for the open crew chief position on the #55 for driver Bobby Hamilton. Jimmy Elledge was the crew chief and left to go to the RYR #88 team(12-7-2001)
New #88 Crew Chief: hearing #88 Crew Chief, Todd Parrott is moving to a Team Manager role for Robert Yates Racing and that #55 Crew Chief (APR/driver Bobby Hamilton) Jimmy Elledge will be the new crew cheif for #88-Dale Jarrett(12-6-2001)
UPDATE: Todd Parrott, who has been crew chief for Jarrett's #88 Fords since 1995 and won the championship with him in 1999, has vacated that position and becomes team manager, effective immediately. Jimmy Elledge, who has worked as crew chief at Andy Petree Racing since 1999 and completed his first season with Hamilton, is Jarrett's new crew chief. APR has made no decision on a replacement for Elledge(That's Racin')(12-6-2001)
APR Head Engine Builder: Jon Dysinger has been named Head Engine Builder for Andy Petree Racing, which builds all engines for the #33 Oakwood Homes Chevrolet of driver Joe Nemechk and the #55 Square D Chevrolet of driver Bobby Hamilton. Dysinger has been in the engine department of Andy Petree Racing since 1998. Andy Petree Racing is the only team in NASCAR Winston Cup racing with its entire operation under one roof. The team builds its own cars and builds its own engines, as well as offering a full marketing, licensing and public relations program for its sponsors.(Williams Company PR)(11-5-2001)
Petree Close to Sponsors for 2002 UPDATE Square-D Re-ups with the #55 for 2002-2003: Steve Barkdoll, APR’s executive vice president/general manager, did have some good news from the Andy Petree Racing shop this week. “We are so close on signing sponsors for next year that I could scream. So I want to make this statement: ‘In light of the tragedies, APR is very, very hopeful to make a decision later this week about its sponsors for next year,’” Barkdoll said.(Henderson Times-News), hearing one of the sponsors could be Intel(9-18-2001)
UPDATE: sources at APR tell me that APR is close to signing one deal, but still needs a sponsor for one of their two cars(9-19-2001)
UPDATE 2: from a Sqaure-D employee newsletter - "....pleased to announce today that we have reached an agreement with Andy Petree Racing that will continue our primary sponsorship of the NASCAR Winston Cup #55 Chevrolet for the 2002-2003 seasons. We will use our NASCAR sponsorship for the last six races of 2001, as well as the 2002-2003 seasons, as a very key element in the internal and external introduction of our new Schneider Electric/Schneider Legrand organization in North America. We will feature our new Schneider Electric identity on the car, as well as the leading brands of our combined organization -- Merlon Gerin, Modicon, Ortronics, Pass and Seymour, Square D, Telemecanique, The Wattstopper and Wiremold. We will also use our industry-leading hospitality program at these races to introduce and explain our new organization to our customers, distributors and our own people. We will be providing more details to you, including the new paint scheme for the car, on October 18 or 19, after the European Commission has approved our merger. We also plan to unveil this new car at a press conference on Friday, October 19, at the Talladega, Alabama, Superspeedway (where we are the defending champions of the race)."(9-21-2001)
UPDATE 3: Square D and Schneider Electric announced today that a new two-year agreement with Andy Petree Racing has been reached which will continue its primary sponsorship of the NASCAR Winston Cup #55 Chevrolet for the 2002-2003 seasons. This new NASCAR sponsorship will be used as a key element and rallying point for the internal and external introduction of the new Schneider Electric/Schneider Legrand organization in North America. SQUARE D is the flagship brand in the U.S. for Schneider Electric, the worldwide electrical industry leader whose merger with Legrand is expected to be finalized in mid-October. Legrand is a worldwide leader in low voltage final distribution from electrical switches to home automation applications.(Motorsports Decisions PR)(9-21-2001)
Jerry Jones with Andy Petree? UPDATE: I am hearing Sports Illustrated is reporting that Andy Petree and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones are talking about a possible partnership of partial ownership and sponsorship for the #33 car of Joe Nemechek. According to the story, Jones wants partial ownership and Richard Childress, with who he has also had discussions, is not willing to do that. Petree and Jones have begun discussions along those lines(haven't seen it or seen it online)(8-13-2001)
UPDATE: One man suddenly mentioned as such a potential partner is Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Jones has been negotiating with Richard Childress for a NASCAR team deal for the past six months. "I have not talked with Jerry Jones, but I would like to talk to him, I really would," Petree said. "If the deal isn't going to happen with Childress, I'd like to talk to Jerry. There really isn't a story there yet. We're still trying to get Square D signed (renewing sponsorship for the Bobby Hamilton team), and hopefully that will happen by the end of the month. But we're not seeing the movement out there we'd like to see with our other team (Joe Nemechek)."(Winston Salem Journal)(8-15-2001)
Hamilton Truck News: Bobby Hamilton Racing will field a truck for Bill Lester at Nashville and Preston Tutt at Chicago as part of Dodge's diversity program. Hamilton already fields a truck for Willy T. Ribbs , though his future with the team beyond this season is uncertain. The drivers tested at Nashville Speedway USA and Atlanta Motor Speedway along with Eric Reed. Hamilton also is talking with DANA about returning as the sponsor of Joe Ruttman's truck for 2002. Concerns about the economy had the company uneasy about signing an extension of a deal that expires after the season, but recent talks have been encouraging. As part of an effort to convince company executives of the sponsorship's value, fans and DANA employees have been e-mailing letters via a link found on www.joeruttman.com.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(8-9-2001)
Payton to be Honored: Bobby Hamilton's #55 Chevy will carry a tribute to one of Chicago's favorite sons. Employees from his primary sponsor, Square D, voted to put the word Sweetness" on the car to honor the memory of former Bears running back Walter Payton(Savannah Morning News)(7-15-2001)
Petree Still Looking: #33 and #55 car owner Andy Petree has many leads but nothing solid yet in his quest to find sponsorship for both of his Winston Cup cars. Petree is hoping strong performances by his Chevrolets will attract the big bucks. Bobby Hamilton won for Petree at Talladega Superspeedway this season. "I'm very concerned about it," Petree said. "This is a bad year for me to have both of my contracts up going into 2002. With the economy the way it's been . . . I'm not an economist, but it looks like it's turning around some. I feel pretty good about the prospects. We've got people out there that still want to be involved in Winston Cup. It's probably one of the best sports marketing programs out there to get value for what you put in it." Petree said maintaining personnel is the major culprit driving today's Winston Cup budgets, which typically top $10 million(Richmond Times Dispatch)(6-17-2001)
#55 Sponsor News: MGE UPS SYSTEMS, the technology leader in Uninterruptible Power Supplies (backup power systems), will support the Square D Racing Team at this weekend's NAPA AUTO PARTS 500. The #55 Square D Chevy will display the MGE logo on the decklid(trunk) of the car during the race for the race held on Sunday, April 29th at California Speedway in Fontana, CA. MGE UPS SYSTEMS' logo will be featured on the decklid of the Square D car during the race. MGE's Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs) back up 90 percent of the Fortune 500, including most of the world's largest Web Hosting and Internet Services companies.(Business Wire)(4-25-2001)
#55 - a Former Show Car: Chances are you may have seen the Chevrolet Hamilton drove to victory at Talladega here Sunday at a K-Mart or Chevron station not long ago. "We took it to the 1999 Daytona 500,'' car owner Andy Petree said. "It had a bad body on it and we really just had a lot of bad luck with things. We made a show car out of it and it was on our show car circuit for the entire year. We resurrected it from the show car department when they changed the rules back. And now, it's back on the track.''(Times Daily)(4-23-2001)
Test Drive as a Sponsor: Square D, the primary sponsor for #55-Bobby Hamilton is offering a sponsorship "test drive" to corporate America. The car's two rear quarter panels and TV panel (rear bumper) are now available to potential sponsors. The price is $100,000 for a one-race sponsorship, or $400,000 for a five-race deal. The company participating in the program also will receive hospitality passes, pit/garage VIP credentials, and photo opportunities with Hamilton(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read online)(4-19-2001)
#55 Associate: Andy Petree Racing announced today that Bari Italian Foods will join the #55 Square D team and driver Bobby Hamilton as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the 2001 Winston Cup season. Bari Italian Foods, a major food distributor to independent restaurants in the Southeast, will be serve as an associate sponsor on the Square D Chevrolet. Andy Petree Racing is still seeking a full-time sponsorship partner that will work with Square D for the remainder of the 2001 season(IMG PR)(3-9-2001)
Wind Tunnel Testing hearing that the APR #55 Sqaure-D Chevy was at the GM Tech Center in Warren MI on Monday and Tuesday doing wind tunnel testing(3-7-2001)
Engineer Leaves Petree: Terry Satchell, one of the sport's top chassis engineers, surprised his long-time car owner, Andy Petree, last month when he said he wanted to leave. Satchell added an even bigger surprise when he showed up at Daytona in a Ford cap. Petree, a Chevy man, is upset, particularly since he says Satchell has a year on his contract. Satchell is now working for Ford doing research and has signed a contract with Ford(Winston-Salem Journal)(2-10-2001)
#55 Scheme: #55-Bobby Hamilton will run a 'lightning' paint scheme similar to the scheme Kenny Wallace ran on the car a few times at some of the night races. Hamilton is scheduled to run the scheme at all the Winston Cup night races(APR)(1-31-2001)
2000 News
Hamilton/Nemechek/Hamilton Jr Tests at Kentucky: #55 driver Bobby Hamilton and #33 driver Joe Nemechek of Andy Petree Racing (APR) will test at the Kentucky Speedway Friday and Saturday(Dec 15th-16th). APR is taking three #55 race cars with different configurations and two #33 race cars to Kentucky. With just two drivers and a short time with which to work, team owner Andy Petree has enlisted the help from a driver with a name he could trust - Hamilton's son, Bobby Jr. Hamilton's main off-season goal is team chemistry. According to the 10-year veteran, the ability to communicate is what builds successful race teams. On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the Square D Racing Team took its first step towards developing that relationship at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, site of the #55's first test with Hamilton after the 2000 season(AutoChannel)(12-15-2000)
Hamilton and the #55 test: Bobby Hamilton and the #55 Andy Petree Racing team is testing Thursday and Friday at Greenville-Pickens (SC) Speedway. The team and its new driver feel that it is important to get a head-start on the new season(That's Racin')(11-30-2000)
Thanks ESPN: Kenny Wallace will have a "Thanks ESPN" sticker on the back bumper of his #55 Square-D Chevy during the season finale at Atlanta. Additionally, the official Kenny Wallace web site has opened a special discussion board where fans can express appreciation to ESPN for their 19 years of Winston Cup coverage(MotorsportsTV)(11-15-2000)
Hamilton tests? hearing Bobby Hamilton tested at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday with his 2001 Cup team the #55 Square-D Chevy(not a Ford, Doh!) and the Andy Petree Race team(10-25-2000)
Hamilton leaves the #4, #7 Driver? #55? UPDATE 6 #55 Official: who will drive the #7 Ultra Motorsports Ford now that Michael Waltrip is leaving to drive a third DEI car? It was thought that Mike Wallace would get the ride, but am hearing he will not be back with the team in either the Truck or Cup rides. Two rumors have cropped up, is Ron Hornaday in either the #7 Cup car or the #2 Ultra Wheels Truck ride AND get this: Bobby Hamilton to the #7? Wasn't it just reported last week that he staying with the #4 team for sure? Yep, and wasn't Waltrip announced staying with the #7 for 2001? This is getting crazy...(9-13-2000)
UPDATE: hearing that Bobby Hamilton may be the new driver for Ultra Motorsports(9-14-2000)
UPDATE 2: Bobby Hamilton and car owner Larry McClure(#4 Kodak Chevy) have decided to part ways at the end of the season. Hamilton says he has not signed a deal for 2001 yet(That's Racin')(9-15-2000)
UPDATE 3: While no deal been finalized, Hamilton is expected to take the wheel of the #55 Chevrolet owned by Andy Petree next year(Gaston Gazette/Monte Dutton)(9-16-2000)
UPDATE 4: as Monte Dutton reports above, I hear Hamilton to the #55 Sqaure-D Chevy. Also hearing that Ron Hornaday is being considered for the #7 Ultra Motorsports Dodge/Ford and the #4 Kodak ride. AND Bobby Hamilton is incensed over reports that he talked to the Ultra Motorsports team. Hamilton, who announced yesterday that he is parting ways with Larry McClure at the end of the season, was linked to the Ultra Motorsports team in an Internet report. He says that is not the case(Times-Dispatch)(9-17-2000)
UPDATE 5: Bobby Hamilton and Andy Petree won't confirm anything but sources close to the two say it's a done deal that they will team next season, with Hamilton becoming Joe Nemechek's teammate(PitNow)(9-18-2000)
UPDATE 6: Andy Petree Racing (APR) announced today the signing of Bobby Hamilton to a two-year contract which will put the Nashville, TN native behind the wheel of the #55 Square D Chevy in 2001. Hamilton will join current APR driver Joe Nemechek, who pilots the #33 Oakwood Homes Chevy. Hamilton replaces Kenny Wallace who will
depart at the end of this season(Motorsports Decision)(9-20-2000)
Fine: #55 crew chief Jimmy Elledge was fined $10,000 by NASCAR for trailing arms that were modified to be lighter than the specifications in the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book. The infraction was discovered in preliminary inspections on Friday for last Saturday's Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 at Richmond(NOL/NASCAR PR)(9-11-2000)
#55 Like Lightning: The #55 Square-D/Cooper Lighting/Halo Chevy, driven by Kenny Wallace, will have a different look this week at Richmond. It'll have lightning bolts in the paint scheme. See a few images of the car in the shop on my Paint Schemes Gallery(9-7-2000)
Eel River Racing/APR Changes? Kenny out of the #55 Yes - UPDATE 4 to the #27: Barry Dodson said he would have to listen to a manufacturer if it courted his #27 Eel River Racing team(driver: Mike Bliss). He’s considering making changes to the team, which has not performed up to his standards. He denied he has approached any drivers -- such as Kenny Wallace -- about moving into the car but said that changes were needed. Dodson could change from Pontiac to Ford next season(Times-Dispatch). NOTE: it was reported last week that Wallace stated that he and sponsor Square-D were signed with the #55 APR team thru 2001 BUT
hearing Wallace may still be looking to go to the #27 and is looking into what it will take to break the Square-D contract with APR(8-26-2000)
UPDATE: hearing there will an announcement at Andy Petree Racing(APR) on Thursday or Friday regarding Kenny Wallace and the Square-D sponsorship. The report is Wallace is leaving but Square-D staying at APR(8-30-2000)
UPDATE 2: Kenny Wallace has been granted his release from the driving duties of
the #55 Chevry fielded by Andy Petree Racing for the 2001 Winston Cup season. Wallace and Petree will continue their association through the remainder of the 2000 season. Wallace approached Petree and asked for his release from the last year of his contract and it was granted to him by team owner Andy Petree. Wallace wants to pursue some other options for next year. The amicable parting that will be made official once the last race of the season takes place on Nov. 19 at Atlanta Motor Speedway will mark a two-year run for Wallace with Andy Petree Racing. While Wallace's six-year relationship with sponsor Square D will come to an end, Square D's sponsorship of the #55 team will continue through the remainder of its contract with Andy Petree Racing. In coordination with Square D, a driver search conducted by Andy Petree Racing to fill the #55 seat for the 2001 Winston Cup season
has begun. No official deadline on when a driver will be selected has been made at this time(anon source)
UPDATE 3: Wallace will join Eel River Racing and drive its #27 Pontiacs(Eel River Racing) next season. An official announcement about Wallace's new team is expected Friday. Eel River Racing, owned by Jack Birmingham, may also undergo several changes as crew chief(and part owner) Barry Dodson said last week the team may change manufacturers in 2001(That's Racin')(8-31-2000)
UPDATE 4: Eel River Racing announced the signing of NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace to a
three-year contract beginning in 2001. The agreement with Wallace reunites the St. Louis native with veteran
crew chief and Eel River Racing part-owner Barry Dodson. Dodson, the championship-winning crew chief in 1989 with Kenny's older brother Rusty, first worked with the younger Wallace for three races in 1991 at Team III Racing. The most recent pairing of Dodson and Wallace came in 1998 at FILMAR Racing, where Dodson chiefed the recent hire to a strong eighth-place finish at Phoenix while subbing for interim crew chief David Ifft(Eel River Racing PR) and see SpeedVision story(9-1-2000)
Kenny Wallace to stay put: Kenny Wallace, driver of the #55 Square-D Chevy for Andy Petree Racing, says he and the sponsor of his team, Sqaure-D, will return to APR in 2001. Wallace said he had feelers from other teams, but he is not leaving APR and the team will stick to Chevy's and not switch to Pontiacs(?)(Winston Cup Scene, Vol XXIV, NO 16)(8-18-2000)
Wallace Leads: #55-Kenny Wallace led his first lap of the 2000 season at Sears Point. Wallace was the final driver who had made all 16 races to lead a lap(6-25-2000)
#200: Kenny Wallace will attempt to make his 200th career Winston Cup start this weekend at Pocono in the #55 Square-D/Cooper Lighting Chevy(6-14-2000), Wallace made the race and made his 200th Cup start
Wallace Penalty? UPDATE 4: Kenny Wallace and the #55 Andy Petree team is rumored to be getting penalized at Dover from some sort of testing infraction at Michigan in recent testing done at the Michigan Speedway. Word is that the #55 team will no be able to practice at Dover on Friday or run 1st round qualifying. Must had been something pretty serious. Supposedly a fine will be levied(5-31-2000)
UPDATE: am hearing the penalties may not occur until the Michigan event on the weekend of June 9-11th(6-1-2000)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR officials are reviewing a recent test by Kenny Wallace at Michigan Speedway for possible violations of NASCAR's testing policy, but crew chief Jimmy Elledge says NASCAR hasn't decided what to do yet. Elledge denied reports that Wallace might be barred from running at Dover as a penalty. Elledge's quotes from PitNow: "There is a question about Michigan, and NASCAR is looking at the whole situation, but no decision has been made yet, we've had problems there in the past, so we wanted to test, and we had Tim Sauter there as a consultant. When it looked like it was going to rain the second day, we stuck Tim in the car. But NASCAR says that's a violation of the testing policy, that you can't have two drivers testing for you."(PitNow)
UPDATE 3: The #55 Andy Petree Racing team received a penalty Friday from NASCAR for violating policy regarding testing sessions. Wallace's team used two drivers to test one car at a recent test at Michigan Speedway - a violation of the new testing policy implemented prior to the 1999 season. Each team is allowed seven tests per season on tracks used in the Winston Cup series and two of those are manufacturer tests at Daytona and Indianapolis. And each team is allowed one driver per team. Wallace's team apparently used both Wallace and driver Jim Sauter to test one of Wallace's #55 Square-D/Cooper Lighting Chevys. Wallace's team will be charged for an additional test - in effect, losing a test session - as a penalty for the violation(That's Racin')(6-2-2000)
UPDATE 4: a little clarification - the team was not penalized for using two drivers but for using two CARS with two drivers at the same time(RPM 2Night)(6-3-2000)
Petree Races: #33 and #55 Cup owner, Andy Petree drove to victory in a 50-lap race at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, N.C., starting from the pole and leading all the way despite a challenge from runner-up Rock Harris(That's Racin')(5-17-2000)
Engine Changes: the #94-Bill Elliott and #55-Kenny Wallace teams changed engines early Sunday morning. Elliott's team found metal pieces in theirs(TNN Preview Show) winner #18-Bobby Labonte also changed an engine Sunday morning(2-27-2000)
Barkdoll Promoted: Andy Petree Racing promoted Steve Barkdoll from the position of team manager to executive vice-president/general manager of Andy Petree Racing. Barkdoll has served as team manager since 1996. APR runs the #33 Oakwood Homes Chevy for Joe Nemechek and the #55 Square-D/Cooper Lighting Chevy of Kenny Wallace, as well as the #15 BGN chevy that will be driven by Jack Sprague and Derrick Gilchrist(SpeedVision)(2-7-2000)
Petree Sponsor, UPDATE on Petty: Albertson's Inc., one of the largest food-drug chains in the United States, announced today they will join Andy Petree Racing as the primary sponsor of driver Jack Sprague and the #15 Chevy for a limited BGN. In addition, Albertson's will serve as an associate sponsor on Andy Petree Racing's CUP teams, #55 Square-D/Cooper Lighting Chevy with driver Kenny Wallace and the #33 Oakwood Homes Chevy with driver Joe Nemechek for the 2000 season. #The #15 Albertson's Chevy is scheduled to compete at 10 events on the 2000 BGN schedule, with the debut taking place at Daytona. Sprague will also compete in nine other events in the Albertson's Chevrolet including, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 4, Texas Motor Speedway on April 1, Talladega Superspeedway on April 15, California Speedway on April 29, The Milwaukee Mile on July 2, Nazareth Speedway on July 16, Dover Downs International Speedway on July 16, Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 7 and Phoenix International Raceway on November 4. Sprague will still run the full NASCAR Craftsman truck schedule. While Albertson's sponsorship in the NASCAR Busch Series is limited to 10 races in 2000, their associate sponsorship of the #33 and #55 Winston Cup teams is scheduled for the entire 2000 season. Albertson's will also be an associate sponsor of the #43 Petty Enterprises Pontiac for select Winston Cup events in 2000(IMG Motorsports PR) -- also see the other part of the Petree sponsor deal on my BGN Site(2-2-2000) -- UPDATE/Petty: Albertson's will also be an associate sponsor of the #43 Petty Enterprises Pontiac and driver John Andretti for select Winston Cup events in 2000 with the first event being at Las Vegas. Then Texas, California, Dover in the fall, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami(Albertson's Website)(2-3-2000)
RACECARNUTS.COM is an innovative and new project to raise money to fund efforts by nonprofit organizations that help distressed families in Appalachia through the auctioning of actual lug nuts used on race cars. Race Teams will be donating the lug nuts each week from their cars. The lug nut displays will be auctioned on an internet website. The lug nuts displays are 16 x 20 inches in size and mounted in clear plastic cases. A photo will be available shortly of an actual display. So far Andy Petree Racing has agreed to help. For more info see Racecarnuts.com(1-30-2000)
New Associate? UPDATE: hearing that Cooper Lighting will become an associate sponsor for APR Racing and the #55 Square D car with driver Kenny Wallace, not sure when(10-15-1999) -- UPDATE: Cooper Lighting, one of the world's largest lighting fixture manufacturers, has teamed-up with Square D to become a major associate sponsor on the #55 Chevrolet of Andy Petree Racing and driver Kenny Wallace beginning with the 2000 Winston Cup season. Cooper Lighting’s logos being implemented into the design of the car(quarterpanels and upper TV panel only), uniforms and equipment of the #55 team(PR)(11-19-1999)
Kenny Wallace, what happened? to #55-Kenny Wallace during first round qualifying? the starter in the engine of his Chevy lock up and prevent him from posting a first-round speed(Gaston Gazette)(10-24-1999)
New Associate? hearing that Cooper Lighting will become an associate sponsor for APR Racing and the #55 Square D car with driver Kenny Wallace, not sure when(10-15-1999)
Kenny Leads: When #55-Kenny Wallace lead laps at Martinsville, he became the 42nd driver who led at least one lap in 1999. Wallace was the last driver who has made ALL the Cup races in 1999 to lead a lap.(10-3-1999)
Crew is camping: Driver Kenny Wallace's crew, minus Wallace, plans to sleep with the fans this weekend at Bristol. Crew chief Jimmy Elledge has decided to rent a camper and park it on one of the hills surrounding Bristol Motor Speedway(USA Today)(8-24-1999)
Crew Chief news UPDATE: Tommy Baldwin Jr. laughed off questions about his Winston Cup future. Ward Burton's crew chief has been offered a contract by current team owner Bill Davis, but he has not signed it yet. The young upstart crew chief has reportedly received many offers and is talking with Ray Evernham about working with Jeff Gordon's team. Baldwin is one of three crew chiefs that Evernham is talking with about a future at Hendrick Motorsports(Times-Disptach) and from PitNow: Evernham is considering Baldwin and two other crew chiefs. But Greg Zipadelli, Tony Stewart's crew chief, isn't one of them, who is in the middle of negotiations for a five-year deal with car owner Joe Gibbs. And neither is Kevin Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt's crew chief. Davis and Burton are already considering new crew chiefs in case Baldwin does leave, and one of the first men they've considered is Jimmy Elledge, crew chief for car owner Andy Petree and driver Kenny Wallace. Elledge's father, Terry, heads Davis' engine program(8-7-1999)
Wallace top 5: Kenny Wallace's 2nd place finish was his career best and his first top five in 124 starts when he was 4th at Martinsville in September 1994(7-11-1999)
Quick Turnaround UPDATE 1: The #55 Square-D crew took the wrecked Chevy from Dover and rebuilt it so Kenny Wallace could run it at Michigan, feeling the car was worth saving because it ran so well at Dover as a brand new car(The Motorsports Decisions Group PR)(6-11-1999) -- UPDATE 1: See what it took in an That's Racin' article: From wrecked to ready in nothing flat(6-13-1999)
RAD: The aerodynamic alliance of Richard Childress Racing(#'s 3 and 31), Andy Petree Racing(#'s 33 and 55) and Dale Earnhardt Inc.(#'s 1 and 8) - (RAD) placed all six of its Winston Cup teams in the top 15 in qualifying at Charlotte on Wednesday. Four cars occupied the top eight spots. Since its inception in December, RAD has concentrated on the 1999 Monte Carlo, but when its introduction was delayed until 2000, RAD turned its attention to the current Monte Carlos seeking improvement at high downforce tracks like Charlotte. RAD Aero Engineer Louis Duncan said Charlotte is the first test of the technology developed through computer simulations, wind tunnel work, track testing and a great deal of tweaking. Duncan has a long history in racing. His most recent assignment was providing aerodynamic support to the Ford Motor Company stock car programs. Duncan and his son Brad now work exclusively with RAD(Pennzoil PR)(5-28-1999)
Petree Degree: Andy Petree will receive an honorary degree from the Nashville Auto Diesel College during driver introductions for the Coca-Cola 600. It is the first time anyone has received such an honor in the 88 year history of the college. Petree earned a 98 percent average in the automotive phase but left before completing the diesel portion to join the NASCAR Winston Cup series(TNN Motorsports Site)(5-26-199)
Fines: RPM2Nite and WC Today Radio reported that three Cup crew chiefs have been fined for an infraction at Martinsville. Tommy Morgan(#16), Bobby Leslie(#26) and Jimmy Elledge(#55) were fined $2000 for having holes drilled in cross members/frames of the car. The infractions were found prior to qualifying and fixed (icFlorida/UPI)(4-20-1999)
Petree Unhappy? Car owner Andy Petree says he's not satisfied with the performance of either of his two Winston Cup teams and hints a major shake-up may be coming on both(PitNow)(4-10-1999)
#91 Test at ATLANTA(not Darlington doh!), Tuesday and Wednesday Steve Grissom had a top speed of ~190.700mph(LJ Racing) -- other drivers and speed: Rick Mast had the fastest lap at Atlanta at 190.909 mph, followed by Steve Grissom (190.843), Ricky Craven (189.344), Kenny Wallace (189.150) and Robert Pressley (188.700).(icFlorida)(2-26-1999)
Wallace to Backup: Kenny Wallace will drive a backup #55 Square-D Chevy in the Daytona 500. The primary was wrecked in the Twin 125's(NASCAR Online)(2-13-1999)
Vegas Testing: Bobby Labonte(#18), Tony Stewart(#20), Sterling Marlin(#40), Joe Nemechek(#40) and Kenny Wallace(#55) tested at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last week. Nemechek posted the fastest unofficial lap speed of 166.02 mph in his BellSouth Chevrolet while Stewart was second fastest at 165.73 mph in The Home Depot Pontiac. The top qualifying speed for last year's inaugural Las Vegas 400 was 168.224 mph, set by pole sitter Dale Jarrett(Concord Monitor)(1-19-1999)
Kenny's new car UPDATE: Kenny Wallace will unveil his new 1999 Andy Petree ride at Atlanta this morning, he will be driving the #55 Square-D Chevy.(TNN's Inside NASCAR)(11-8-98) -- NASCAR Online has an image of the #55 Square-D Chevy at NASCAR Photo Gallery #3.(11-9-98)