NASCAR Winston Cup owner Andy Petree has secured a single-race sponsor for his #55 car in the Daytona 500. Andy Petree Racing, based in Henderson County, NC, has been scrambling in recent months to land a sponsorship after electrical distribution company Square D said it could no longer afford to run an entire schedule. The new sponsor’s name will be announced after the new year. Petree now must find another driver for the #55 after Ken Schrader signed up Friday with the BAM Racing Dodge next year. Petree had been trying to line up Schrader to drive #55, APR general manager Steve Barkdoll said. “Schrader had the opportunity to drive the BAM car full time, so we told him to take it,” Barkdoll said. First Petree was forced to lay off employees, now he’s looking for investors for his team. Times are tough for Petree, still scrambling to keep his Winston Cup team afloat. After laying off 25 employees last month, Petree is hoping an outside investor can step in and keep things running. He has enough employees left to send Schrader to the Daytona 500, but more money will have to appear before he can plan for any more races.( ThatsRacin.com/AP )(12-22-2002) UPDATE: hearing the sponsor will be Monaco Coach , still no word on the driver.(12-24-2002) UPDATE 2: Now that Ken Schrader has signed with [#49] BAM, Mike Wallace would be the logical choice to drive for Andy Petree in the Daytona 500. Sources close to Andy Petree Racing say that Monaco Coaches has signed to be the primary sponsor for Petree’s #55 Chevy at Daytona and will remain with it as an associate throughout the year once major sponsorship has been found. Wallace had a solid 21st-place run for Petree last year at Daytona and will have the benefit of running the truck race for Schrader’s team before the 500. Wallace, 43, also will continue to drive in the BGN in the #4 Biagi Brothers Racing Chevy, but the team is searching for sponsorship to compete beyond Biagi Brothers’ 12-race commitment.( Sporting News )(12-30-2002) UPDATE 3: been told the driver will not be Mike Wallace or Geoffrey Bodine and an announcement should be made soon on the driver.(1-3-2003) UPDATE 4: Monaco Coach Corporation will sponsor Andy Petree Racing in 2003, beginning with next months NASCAR Winston Cup season-opening Daytona 500. The announcement was made today. Christian Fittipaldi, who is running for Petty Enterprises in a variety of series this season, will drive in the Daytona 500 for the team. Monaco will also sponsor APR in four CTS races in 2003. Petree is still seeking sponsorship for the full 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season and additional Truck series races. Monaco and Andy Petree have enjoyed a strong corporate relationship that has included a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory with Tony Stewart driving and associate sponsorships in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. “Were excited to be in the Daytona 500 with a company like Monaco Coaches on the side of our car,” said Petree. “Monaco has a commitment to quality and a strong belief in working hard to be the best. We do too, and thats the type of businesses both of us want to be associated with. We feel Christian Fittipaldi will add a lot to our effort. He is a rookie at the big ovals but with his Formula One and Indy car background, he is no stranger to going fast,” Petree said. “Were looking for a very strong Speed Weeks.” Petree emphasized his team is still seeking full-season sponsorship for 2003. “We have a firm belief in NASCAR fans and a firm belief in Andy Petree Racing,” said Ed Kinney, Vice-President of Monaco. “One of the worlds fastest growing RV manufacturers taking a larger role in the worlds fastest growing sport is just a natural. Were proud to be a part of NASCAR racing and a part of Andy Petrees winning operation.” The Coburg, Ore., based corporation has become one of the worlds leading RV manufacturer since it was founded in 1968, and remains one of the fastest-growing in the industry.( Williams Company )(1-6-2003)
