Petty finally returns to driving role this weekend
By SceneDaily Staff
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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Kyle Petty returns to the wheel of Petty Enterprises No. 45 Dodge for this weekend’s Sharpie 500 Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, where drivers and teams have used NASCAR’s new car three times before.
And while working with the new car is an adjustment for all tracks, it’s less so at a short track. And with three races under its belt at Bristol, the new car is even less of a factor this weekend, Petty said.
“This car can still be considered ‘new’ at some tracks,” Petty said. “We just ran it for the first time at Indy a few weeks ago. When we go to Bristol, though, it’s just a race car.
“This will be the fourth race for this car here. Everyone has it figured out by now. It does a great job on the short tracks, like Bristol, where you tend to use the bump-and-run to pass. The way the bumpers on these cars line up, you can still nudge someone to make the pass, but they don’t spin out as often.”
Petty might need a few laps to get used to the nudges this weekend, since he hasn’t driven since the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May. He was scheduled to return at Watkins Glen International two weeks ago, but the team opted to use road-racing specialist Boris Said after Said didn’t get a chance to qualify his own car because of rain.
Petty missed several races while he worked in the TNT broadcast booth and then sat on the sidelines while Chad McCumbee and Terry Labonte tried their hand with the No. 45 Dodge.
“I have to thank Chad McCumbee and Terry Labonte for their efforts in the No. 45 Wells Fargo Dodge over the last several races,” Petty said. “They have moved the team up to the 39th position in the owner points standings, and we’re in position to move up a few more if we can keep improving.
“I know it hasn’t been easy on the crew. All three of us have different driving styles, so they haven’t been able to get into much of a rhythm. It’s just a testament to how hard this team works.”
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Kyle Petty
Comments
2 responses to "Petty finally returns to driving role this weekend"
Anonymous said:
Aug 21, 2008 at 12:07 PMJIM S kyle you need to put boris said in your car next year at the road courses and maybe give him a full time ride
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» Confirm Abuse ReportCindi Peace said:
Aug 21, 2008 at 2:31 PMGlad to have Kyle back in the car this weekend. Best of luck, Kyle!
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