Despite recent rumors that Richard Petty Motorsports would be a three-car team by Watkins Glen next weekend, the King said Sunday at Pocono Raceway that there will be four cars through the end of the season. “We’re going to have four cars, but we’re going to do some changing around,” Petty said. “We’re looking to finish up this season (and) preparing for next season. We’ve got one car, hopefully, that’s going to be in the Chase and the other three we’ve got to get squared away and anticipate for next year. There will be some swapping around with different personnel and stuff like that to put in motion this year the opportunity to see how it works in preparation for next year. Then if it doesn’t work, we’ve still got time to make changes for next year.” Don’t be surprised if there isn’t a crew chief change among the non-title contending teams #19, #43 and/or #44 before the Chase begins.(FoxSports)(8-3-2009)
UPDATE The #43-Sorenson and #44-Allmendinger teams at Richard Petty Motorsports will change crew chiefs and crews following the race at Watkins Glen. According to team sources, drivers Reed Sorenson and AJ Allmendinger will remain with their respective car numbers and sponsors. However, Mike Shiplett will now oversee the #44 Dodge with Allmendinger and Sammy Johns will be the crew chief for Sorenson and the #43 squad. The cars and equipment will remain with the crew chiefs.(Foxsports)(8-3-2009)
UPDATE: it has reported a few times on TV coverage this weekend that the #43 and #44 crew chief’s and crews have made the swap BUT have been told by RPM reps that the change has not been made yet and that Mike Shiplett is still crew chiefing the #43 Dodge of Reed Sorenson and Sammy Johns is still crew chiefing the #44 Dodge of A.J. Allmendinger. And see image of the #43 McDonald’s Angus Third Pounders scheme.(8-8-2009)
