Andretti still not signed UPDATE: John Andretti still has not signed the contract offer Petty Enterprises gave him months ago, but the organization is certain the driver will be back in 2003. “There are a couple of issues that still need to be resolved, but as far as we’re concerned, he is the driver of the No. 43,” chief executive officer Kyle Petty said. “We have a verbal agreement, just no signature.” Andretti, one of the few remaining free agents, was less committal. “Anything is possible,” he said, smiling. “Who knows what will happen?” Petty said there was no issue over Andretti’s participation in the Indianapolis 500, a race the company forbid him to compete in this year. Andretti, the first of three drivers to compete in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, wants to do the double again and was disappointed he was not allowed. “As far as we’re concerned, he can run the Indy 500 every year,” Petty said. “We said no this year because the issue came up 30 days beforehand and there wasn’t enough time. As long as he plans on it in advance, he can run it and we’d love to partner up and help his efforts.”(CNNSI/AP)(11-17-2002) UPDATE: Minor contract details are holding up John Andretti signing for a sixth season with Petty Enterprises. Team officials discounted rumors of the Indianapolis native pursuing the Ganassi Racing vacancy created by the firing of Jimmy Spencer.(Indianapolis Star)(11-18-2002)
