a Petree Announcement UPDATE 2 No merger or buyout: ……Andy Petree took time out to talk a little bit about what everyone’ been talking about in the racing world for the past few months his rumored deal with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for a two-car team next season. His answer to the obvious question was the same. I really dont have anything to say on that right now. We dont have an announcement yet, Petree said. He did, however, reveal later in the day that he would make an announcement Friday morning at Darlington, S.C., concerning his plans for next season. Petree was out of town Monday, but APR executive vice president/general manager Steve Barkdoll said the main reason for the announcement was to just let everyone know what’ going on. We just felt like it was time to tell everyone APR’ plans for next year, and that’ all it’ going to be, Barkdoll said.(Hendersonville Times News)(8-28-2002) UPDATE: Andy Petree Racing will remain a major factor in NASCAR Winston Cup racing, just wont be carrying silver and blue colors, and no large stars will be on the cars in 2003.. The long-discussed arrangement between Andy Petree, the top chassis and mechanical mind among NASCAR Winston Cup owners, and the NFL’ Dallas Cowboys will not be completed. Were moving forward and were doing everything we can to finish this year on a strong note, and to have a great 2003, said Petree, the only owner in the sport to have won two NASCAR Winston Cup championships in a hands-on capacity. We do need additional sponsorship but that’ an area weve been working on throughout this process. We are in discussions with Schneider Electric/Square D regarding the future – they are a great partner of ours – but we know we still need additional sponsorship support. This is a tremendous marketing opportunity for a corporation at a price I know is unmatched in this sport, Petree said. Andy Petree Racing has a lot to offer a sponsor, and we feel somebody will step up and take advantage of this, he said. This is a chance for a company to partner with our program, to do so at a price that is incredibly reasonable and to receive a tremendous boost in their sales and awareness. Keep in mind that we also have a strong and on-going relationship with General Motors, and they have been tremendous supporters of ours through all of this, he added. With friends like that behind you, great things have to be ahead for you. Petree said the ending of the Dallas Cowboys discussions should not be a factor in bringing in sponsorship. We worked hard to put something together but we both knew we had to do something soon. They let me know they just couldnt get everything done in time for 2003. They made the decision to end the discussions for 2003. I needed to make the announcement today so we can continue working on sponsorship for Andy Petree Racing.. The Cowboys are great people and I believe they were serious about putting something together, he added. The fact of the matter is we are here to win races, plain and simple. And were going to continue to do that.(Williams Company)(8-30-2002) UPDATE 2 – sponsor and driver could stay; to Pontiac? ….although Petree said there is a remote chance Hamilton could stay. Hamilton may now be the front-runner for Chip Ganassi’s Havoline team. “We’ve got Schneider Electric, which has supported us quite a bit over the years and has been a great supporter of ours. We’re trying to extend that with them, but we need some more help. We needed to get the word out that we’re not doing this Cowboys thing so that it doesn’t lock us out of some opportunities that are out there right now.”(Speed Channel) AND Petree still hopes to have a two-car team next season. He now plans to continue his association with Schneider Electric and Square D, the primary sponsors of the #55 Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton, who is not returning to the team in 2003. Petree said he now plans to continue his relationship with General Motors. The team was expected to switch to Ford next year if the Cowboys deal had been completed. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a relationship with Ford as a corporate sponsor of the NFL team. Petree said it’s possible his team will switch to Pontiac next season, but all those discussions were pending the outcome of the Cowboys’ plans.(Dallas Morning News)(8-31-2002)
