Elliott Sadler says team benefiting from leadership of co-owner Richard Petty
Richard Petty Motorsports' Elliott Sadler likes working with team co-owner Richard Petty. // Jerry Markland, Getty Images
DARLINGTON, S.C. - After the first four races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Elliott Sadler couldn't be happier about driving for a team bearing the name of seven-time champion Richard Petty.
"I think Richard Petty has brought a lot of the racing mentality to our team that we didn't have a year ago," the driver of the No. 19 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge said at Wednesday's Goodyear tire test at Darlington Raceway. "It's been a lot of fun to have The King around."
Sadler also said that Petty is a terrific mentor for himself and the other three RPM drivers: AJ Allmendinger, Kasey Kahne and Reed Sorenson.
"He'll tell you what's on his mind and what you should do on and off the race track," Sadler said. "I love just getting feedback from him, no matter what race track we're at. I love having him around and having him to lean on. I can relate to him very well, and it's an honor driving for him. I don't think there are many people in the garage that can say they raced for the Wood Brothers and Richard Petty, and I can."
