wingsfan
06-10-2003, 11:47 AM
NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONOOOOOO!!!!!
John Andretti fired at Petty Enterprises
By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer
June 10, 2003
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- John Andretti was fired Tuesday by Petty Enterprises, where he has driven the famed No. 43 car since 1998.
Christian Fittipaldi will replace him beginning with this weekend's race at Michigan Speedway.
Kyle Petty said the decision was made this week and the team informed sponsor General Mills.
Andretti is in his second stint with the Pettys. He drove 11 races for them in 1994, then returned to the team in 1998 to take over the car Richard Petty made famous en route to seven Winston Cup championships.
Andretti's contract expired at the end of last season, but the Pettys made every effort to keep him -- even agreeing to let him run in the Indianapolis 500 this season.
After long negotiations, Andretti resigned in December. He did not get to race at Indy this year because no deal could be worked out in time.
In four-plus seasons with the Pettys, Andretti won one race and two poles. His highest finish in the point standings was 11th in 1999. He was 31st last year, and this year is 33rd with just one top 10 finish in 14 starts this year.
``We had some successes, won some poles and won a race,'' Richard Petty said. ``But we feel like where we are right now it's time for a change for Petty Enterprises and for John.''
Andretti is the nephew of Mario Andretti and cousin of Michael Andretti, who retired last month after the Indy 500.
The Pettys have been trying all season to field a car for Fittipaldi, a former open-wheel star and nephew of former Formula One champion and 1989 Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi. But lack of sponsorship for a third car has thwarted their efforts.
Money has been found to field a car in four events later this year for Fittipaldi, and the Pettys will honor those agreements and find another driver to put in the No. 43 Dodge in those events.
``Speed and Fittipaldi go together,'' Richard Petty said. ``He knows how to run fast, and he knows how to race fast. We feel he is going to do a great job for Petty Enterprises.''
Fittipaldi will attempt to make his fourth Winston Cup race at Michigan. He made his debut last November in Phoenix, but finished 41st after crashing.
He was 35th in the season-opening Daytona 500 and finished 38th at Texas, where he also crashed.
Still, the Pettys are convinced with some more seat time, Fittipaldi can be a threat in stock cars.
``Christian Fittipaldi has shown, every time he has gotten in a Winston Cup car, including Phoenix, Texas and Daytona, that he has the talent to drive these cars and help us get to the front,'' Kyle Petty said. ``We look forward to showing everyone what Christian can do week in and week out.''
Well, HELL!!! NOW who do I root for??:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: Why doesn't farking NEVER WAS Kyle step down and put Fittipaldi in HIS car?? @#^%&@@$^*&*^#@ :mad: :mad: :mad:
John Andretti fired at Petty Enterprises
By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer
June 10, 2003
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- John Andretti was fired Tuesday by Petty Enterprises, where he has driven the famed No. 43 car since 1998.
Christian Fittipaldi will replace him beginning with this weekend's race at Michigan Speedway.
Kyle Petty said the decision was made this week and the team informed sponsor General Mills.
Andretti is in his second stint with the Pettys. He drove 11 races for them in 1994, then returned to the team in 1998 to take over the car Richard Petty made famous en route to seven Winston Cup championships.
Andretti's contract expired at the end of last season, but the Pettys made every effort to keep him -- even agreeing to let him run in the Indianapolis 500 this season.
After long negotiations, Andretti resigned in December. He did not get to race at Indy this year because no deal could be worked out in time.
In four-plus seasons with the Pettys, Andretti won one race and two poles. His highest finish in the point standings was 11th in 1999. He was 31st last year, and this year is 33rd with just one top 10 finish in 14 starts this year.
``We had some successes, won some poles and won a race,'' Richard Petty said. ``But we feel like where we are right now it's time for a change for Petty Enterprises and for John.''
Andretti is the nephew of Mario Andretti and cousin of Michael Andretti, who retired last month after the Indy 500.
The Pettys have been trying all season to field a car for Fittipaldi, a former open-wheel star and nephew of former Formula One champion and 1989 Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi. But lack of sponsorship for a third car has thwarted their efforts.
Money has been found to field a car in four events later this year for Fittipaldi, and the Pettys will honor those agreements and find another driver to put in the No. 43 Dodge in those events.
``Speed and Fittipaldi go together,'' Richard Petty said. ``He knows how to run fast, and he knows how to race fast. We feel he is going to do a great job for Petty Enterprises.''
Fittipaldi will attempt to make his fourth Winston Cup race at Michigan. He made his debut last November in Phoenix, but finished 41st after crashing.
He was 35th in the season-opening Daytona 500 and finished 38th at Texas, where he also crashed.
Still, the Pettys are convinced with some more seat time, Fittipaldi can be a threat in stock cars.
``Christian Fittipaldi has shown, every time he has gotten in a Winston Cup car, including Phoenix, Texas and Daytona, that he has the talent to drive these cars and help us get to the front,'' Kyle Petty said. ``We look forward to showing everyone what Christian can do week in and week out.''
Well, HELL!!! NOW who do I root for??:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: Why doesn't farking NEVER WAS Kyle step down and put Fittipaldi in HIS car?? @#^%&@@$^*&*^#@ :mad: :mad: :mad: