Petty to announce Andretti’s signing…today? UPDATE NO: Kyle Petty has a news conference set for today [doesn’t say where or what time], and it is widely expected that he will announce that John Andretti has signed a new contract. Andretti’s future has been the subject of much debate the last few weeks, with several other teams vying for his services. What Andretti has wanted most out of a new contract is the OK to run in the Indy 500 in May.(Winston Salem Journal) UPDATE: There is no press conference with Petty Enterprises scheduled today, and none is anticipated.(9-9-2002) UPDATE 2: Kyle Petty may have answered one of the key lingering questions involving Winston Cup racing’s 2003 lineup during an appearance at a Charlotte church Monday evening. Petty, answering a question at Hickory Grove Baptist Church where he took part in a program featuring Oliver North as the key speaker, said John Andretti has agreed to stay with Petty Enterprises as driver of the No. 43 Dodges. A team spokesman on Tuesday said that Petty’s remarks did not constitute an official announcement that Andretti will return, and that nothing has been signed to that effect. Petty said Saturday at Richmond International Raceway that he hoped Andretti would return but that his family’s team was still waiting on a decision. One possible option if Andretti decided to leave the team went away over the weekend when Chip Ganassi announced he had hired Jamie McMurray to drive for his third team with the Chevron/Texaco sponsorship.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-11-2002)
