Petty Enterprises officials announced Wednesday that John Andretti and Chad McCumbee will drive the team's No. 45 Dodge in the five races where Kyle Petty will serve as a broadcast analyst on TNT.
McCumbee will attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut in the Pocono 500 on June 10, while Andretti will drive in the other four races.
"I'm very grateful to Chad and John for lending their talents behind the wheel," Petty said in a statement. "TNT offered me an excellent opportunity to join them in the broadcast booth for their races. We worked closely with our sponsors to make that happen and keep our car up front. We are fortunate to have Chad and John available to make that happen."
Andretti drove for Petty Enterprises for 11 races in 1994 and from 1998-2002 and the first 14 races of 2003. Andretti won at Martinsville in the No. 43 in 1999.
McCumbee is in his second year in the Craftsman Truck Series, driving for Green Light Racing this season. He will also do some testing for Petty Enterprises this year.
"Chad is a talented, young driver that we are keeping our eye on," Petty Enterprises Executive Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis said. "Pocono will be his first race for us, but Chad isn't going to be a stranger to our cars. He will be testing for us and helping us get better.
"We feel that he has shown a lot of promise in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. We are looking forward to help him learn and continue his move up the NASCAR ranks."
Andretti's first race will be June 17 at Michigan, and at New Hampshire on July 1, Daytona on July 7 and Chicago on July 15.
"We are very lucky to have a guy like John come in and fill this spot," Loomis said. "He has been a part of Petty Enterprises and is very familiar with our organization. He has won and has had a lot of success here. We can't think of a better guy to help us."
McCumbee will attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut in the Pocono 500 on June 10, while Andretti will drive in the other four races.
"I'm very grateful to Chad and John for lending their talents behind the wheel," Petty said in a statement. "TNT offered me an excellent opportunity to join them in the broadcast booth for their races. We worked closely with our sponsors to make that happen and keep our car up front. We are fortunate to have Chad and John available to make that happen."
Andretti drove for Petty Enterprises for 11 races in 1994 and from 1998-2002 and the first 14 races of 2003. Andretti won at Martinsville in the No. 43 in 1999.
McCumbee is in his second year in the Craftsman Truck Series, driving for Green Light Racing this season. He will also do some testing for Petty Enterprises this year.
"Chad is a talented, young driver that we are keeping our eye on," Petty Enterprises Executive Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis said. "Pocono will be his first race for us, but Chad isn't going to be a stranger to our cars. He will be testing for us and helping us get better.
"We feel that he has shown a lot of promise in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. We are looking forward to help him learn and continue his move up the NASCAR ranks."
Andretti's first race will be June 17 at Michigan, and at New Hampshire on July 1, Daytona on July 7 and Chicago on July 15.
"We are very lucky to have a guy like John come in and fill this spot," Loomis said. "He has been a part of Petty Enterprises and is very familiar with our organization. He has won and has had a lot of success here. We can't think of a better guy to help us."
