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NASCAR WCUP: GM Racing, Pontiac say 'Thanks, Good Luck' to Petty Enterprises

25 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
DETROIT- General Motors Racing and Pontiac Grand Prix officials wished Petty Enterprises the best of luck in their new NASCAR venture with Dodge as both parties focused on the future of their respective racing programs. The anticipated Petty announcement came as Pontiac continues to channel its resources towards building an exciting stable of young Winston Cup Championship contenders.

Legendary car owner and driver Richard Petty and General Motors' Pontiac Division have enjoyed an award-laden, 19-year racing partnership together. During this time, "The King" drove a Pontiac to his famed 200th NASCAR Winston Cup victory at the Pepsi Firecracker 400 in Daytona on July 4, 1984. That same #43 STP Pontiac is the only Winston Cup car to be placed in the Smithsonian Institution.

"It has been a pleasure and an honor for Pontiac to be associated with one of the true legends in racing for so many years," said Bill Heugh, Grand Prix brand manager. "We've enjoyed some historical successes together through those years and all of us at Pontiac wish Petty Enterprises well in the future."

GM Racing's Pontiac Division and Petty were together when he made his 1000th career Winston Cup start on June 15, 1986, at Michigan Speedway. Pontiac also brought him his first win exclusively as a team owner when Bobby Hamilton drove a Pontiac Grand Prix to victory in the 1996 Dura-Lube 500 at Phoenix.

The 2000 race season projects to be another stellar year for GM Racing and Team Pontiac with drivers Bobby Labonte (career-high 5 wins, 2nd in points in '99), Tony Stewart (a rookie-record 3 wins, 4th in points in '99 and rookie of the year), veteran Ken Schrader, and Johnny Benson, among others, continuing to raise the bar. Team Pontiac finished with a modern-era record nine wins and 44 top-five finishes in 1999, and its stable of talented teams looks for more of the same this year.

Text provided by Al Larsen

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.