Andy Petree
Encyclopedia
Andy Petree is a long-time fixture in NASCAR
. After racing for years at local short track (most notably Hickory Motor Speedway
), Andy became part owner of the #32 Busch Series
car for Dale Jarrett
. By the age of 28, Andy was already a NASCAR Winston Cup crew chief
on the Leo Jackson racing team. That car was driven by the Bandit Harry Gant
. Petree is a color commentator on ESPN
/ESPN on ABC
NASCAR races. Andy now funds a 12 and under travel softball team named, The Lady Racers. The Lady Racers, split about halfway through the 2010 season when they lost their two star pitchers left to play for an upstate South Carolina "showcase" team.
, ending up as car chief for the #3 Goodwrench Chevy driven by Dale Earnhardt
. In 1993, Andy and Dale teamed up for Dale's 6th championship. The next year, Andy helped Dale win his 7th and final championship. However, Andy wanted to have his life calm down a little and on October 1, 1996, Andy went back to Leo Jackson and bought his #33 team.
drove the car to 2 top-5s and 8 top-10s in route to 10th place in the NASCAR Winston Cup final standings. Ken also won 2 poles in the season. It marked a strong comeback for the #33 team, which had struggled severely in 1996, as Robert Pressley
only earned one top-10.1997 was also the year his daughter, Jonnie was born!
In 1998, Ken received 3 top-5s and 11 top-10s. However, Ken fell two positions down the points ladder to 12th. Despite not receiving a visit to the New York awards ceremony, Andy was ambitious. At Daytona in October, Andy fielded a second car, the #55 Oakwood Homes Chevy, driven by Hut Stricklin
. At the end of 1998, it was announced that Kenny Wallace
would join APR (Andy Petree Racing) in the #55 Square D Chevy for 1999.
1999 was a learning year for APR. The struggles of adding a second car may have shown. Ken Schrader struggled with only 6 top-10s, in route to a 15th place in points. Wallace was more flashy but also inconsistent. He earned his career best finish of 2nd at New Hampshire International Speedway, and had 4 other top-10s, but Kenny would finish 22nd in points.
Schrader's 1999 season compelled him to leave APR. However, Andy was quick in signing Joe Nemechek
and sponsor Oakwood Homes, after Skoal announced it would not be on the #33 for the first time in 21 years. The 2000 season was complete opposite for Petree's drivers. Nemechek was solid as he won 1 pole, and secured 3 top-5s and 9 top-10s. That enabled him to finish 15th in points. Kenny, on the other hand had one top-5: 2nd at Talladega Superspeedway
. It was a memorable one though. Wallace stayed behind Dale Earnhardt in a two-lap dash and his help allowed Earnhardt to win his 76th and final NASCAR race. Wallace admitted later that he would have pulled out had he realized that Nemechek was behind him (Nemechek would finish 3rd). Nemechek had been running a Charlie Daniels
paint scheme and Wallace did not recognize it. Despite getting as close as anyone to Petree's first victory, Wallace left for Eel River Racing
.
Still searching for victory in 2001, Petree kept Nemechek in the #33 and hired Bobby Hamilton
to drive the #55. A 3rd team with Geoffrey Bodine driving made one start in 2000, but the deal fell through. It would turn out to be Petree's best season yet. The 9th race of the year, at Talladega Superspeedway, featured an amazing battle. After multiple lead changes, Hamilton took the lead as he took the white flag and held off Tony Stewart to win Petree's first career race. Hamilton would earn 6 more top-10s and 18th in the final 2001 rundown. For Nemechek, the season was mixed. While practicing at Dover Downs, Nemechek slammed the wall, and injured his leg. Luckily, Hamilton's son, Bobby Hamilton Jr. was more than willing to join his father. Hamilton Jr. ran 3 races, Wally Dallenbach Jr. ran at Pocono, and Scott Pruett
took over at Sears Point. (now Infineon) When Nemechek came back, his season was not the best and before October was over he announced his plans to leave. But Nemechek had one more trick up the sleeve. Nemechek pulled a dominating victory at North Carolina Speedway, giving APR its 2nd win from its 2nd team. However, with Nemechek gone and Oakwood leaving the #33 began to fold.
For 2002
, Petree still wished to run the #33 along with Hamilton. Mike Wallace
would drive the car for 4 races. However, with a best finish of 21st (Daytona 500
) and its most memorable moment being at Talladega, (starting the big wreck) the #33 team's glory days were over. It would be up to Hamilton and the #55 team. However, just as the #33 quit for good, Hamilton was injured. Greg Biffle
and Ron Hornaday
took over. Hamilton came back and promptly announced he was leaving to his truck team.
Andy Petree was backed in a corner. By February 2003, his Cup team was done. With no sponsor to be found, Christian Fittipaldi
's run in the #33 Monaco
Chevy in the Daytona 500 looked to be APR's last swan song.
However, Petree wasn't quite done. His longtime friend, John Menard convinced him to look at John's son, Paul Menard
. Andy was quite impressed by Paul. He signed him to a contract quickly. Paul made his debut in the #55 Menards Chevy at Nashville Superspeedway
, Andy's first career Busch race as an owner. It was a productive race, as Paul finished 12th. After finishing 14th at the next race at Kentucky Speedway
, Andy allowed Paul to make his Cup debut at Watkins Glen International
(after Paul had DNQd at Infineon
). That race at the Glen would be Petree's last Cup race. The next week, Paul grabbed his first top-10 at IRP. Andy, who had made some Craftsman Truck Series starts, decided to put Paul in some Truck races. Menard drove the #33 Menards truck in 5 races and finished with one top-10, an 8th place at Kansas.
Petree signed Menard to a full Busch Series
schedule for 2004, hoping to get Menard ready for a return to NEXTEL Cup in 2006. However, Menard had other plans. Halfway through the year, Menard signed with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
, leaving Petree without at driver and a sponsor. His last Busch race would be at Chicago, where driver Clint Bowyer
finished.
Petree's race team was dead in the water. After Michael Waltrip
finished last at a Craftsman Truck race at IRP, Petree sold his equipment and his shop to Kevin Harvick
(which started Kevin Harvick, Inc.. He went to work for Michael Waltrip, as a consultant for Waltrip's Busch team.
. Martinsville was also his best qualifying effort of the season. There he started 18th.
While working for Dale Earnhardt
, Earnhardt allowed Petree to drive his Busch car at Martinsville (1994). After starting 27th, Petree bettered his career best with a 16th. It would be his final BUSCH series start.
While his NEXTEL Cup
team was falling apart, Petree tried to get some momentum going in the Craftsman Truck Series
. Petree made his debut in that series at Martinsville in 2002. Despite an impressive 3rd place qualifying effort, Petree crashed and finished in 31st. However, the race at IRP later that year was better. He finished 12th.
In 2003, Petree made 4 Truck starts and finished in the top-20 in each. He was 14th at Mesa Marin, 10th at Martinsville (career best), 20th at IRP, and 18th at the second Martinsville race.
Petree final start of his NASCAR career came at his best track: Martinsville in 2004. He started that race 9th and finished a respectable 18th.
Seven months later, his team was sold and Andy's career as a car owner and a car driver was finished.
and Jerry Punch
in the broadcast booth, with Jamie Little
, Mike Massaro
, Dave Burns
, and Allen Bestwick
reporting from pit road. As of 2011, Petree is the only member of the 2006 broadcast team still in the booth; he is now joined by Allen Bestwick and Dale Jarrett
, with Wallace in the infield studio and Punch on pit road.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. After racing for years at local short track (most notably Hickory Motor Speedway
Hickory Motor Speedway
Hickory Motor Speedway is a short track located in Hickory, North Carolina. It is one of stock car racing's most storied venues, and is often referred to as "The World's Most Famous Short Track" and the "Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars"....
), Andy became part owner of the #32 Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
car for Dale Jarrett
Dale Jarrett
Dale Arnold Jarrett is a former American race car driver and current sports commentator known for winning the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship...
. By the age of 28, Andy was already a NASCAR Winston Cup crew chief
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
on the Leo Jackson racing team. That car was driven by the Bandit Harry Gant
Harry Gant
Harry Phil Gant is a retired American racecar driver best known for driving the #33 Skoal Bandit car on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit during the 1980s and 1990s.-Nicknames:...
. Petree is a color commentator on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
/ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
NASCAR races. Andy now funds a 12 and under travel softball team named, The Lady Racers. The Lady Racers, split about halfway through the 2010 season when they lost their two star pitchers left to play for an upstate South Carolina "showcase" team.
Championship Years
Afterwards, Andy was hired by Richard Childress RacingRichard Childress Racing
RCR Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team based in Welcome, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by former driver Richard Childress...
, ending up as car chief for the #3 Goodwrench Chevy driven by Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
. In 1993, Andy and Dale teamed up for Dale's 6th championship. The next year, Andy helped Dale win his 7th and final championship. However, Andy wanted to have his life calm down a little and on October 1, 1996, Andy went back to Leo Jackson and bought his #33 team.
Car Owner
Andy took over the #33 Skoal Bandit Chevy as owner for the full 1997 season. That year, driver Ken SchraderKen Schrader
Kenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping...
drove the car to 2 top-5s and 8 top-10s in route to 10th place in the NASCAR Winston Cup final standings. Ken also won 2 poles in the season. It marked a strong comeback for the #33 team, which had struggled severely in 1996, as Robert Pressley
Robert Pressley
Robert Pressley is a former NASCAR driver who is now the promoter at Kingsport Speedway.-Beginnings:...
only earned one top-10.1997 was also the year his daughter, Jonnie was born!
In 1998, Ken received 3 top-5s and 11 top-10s. However, Ken fell two positions down the points ladder to 12th. Despite not receiving a visit to the New York awards ceremony, Andy was ambitious. At Daytona in October, Andy fielded a second car, the #55 Oakwood Homes Chevy, driven by Hut Stricklin
Hut Stricklin
Waymond Lane "Hut" Stricklin is a former NASCAR race car driver. He was born on June 24, 1961, in Calera, Alabama. He married Pam Allison, the daughter of NASCAR legend Donnie Allison after they were introduced by her cousin Davey. Hut was the last member of the Alabama Gang.In 1986, Stricklin won...
. At the end of 1998, it was announced that Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace
Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
would join APR (Andy Petree Racing) in the #55 Square D Chevy for 1999.
1999 was a learning year for APR. The struggles of adding a second car may have shown. Ken Schrader struggled with only 6 top-10s, in route to a 15th place in points. Wallace was more flashy but also inconsistent. He earned his career best finish of 2nd at New Hampshire International Speedway, and had 4 other top-10s, but Kenny would finish 22nd in points.
Schrader's 1999 season compelled him to leave APR. However, Andy was quick in signing Joe Nemechek
Joe Nemechek
Joseph Frank Nemechek III is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and owner of NEMCO Motorsports. He won the 1992 Busch Series championship...
and sponsor Oakwood Homes, after Skoal announced it would not be on the #33 for the first time in 21 years. The 2000 season was complete opposite for Petree's drivers. Nemechek was solid as he won 1 pole, and secured 3 top-5s and 9 top-10s. That enabled him to finish 15th in points. Kenny, on the other hand had one top-5: 2nd at Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
. It was a memorable one though. Wallace stayed behind Dale Earnhardt in a two-lap dash and his help allowed Earnhardt to win his 76th and final NASCAR race. Wallace admitted later that he would have pulled out had he realized that Nemechek was behind him (Nemechek would finish 3rd). Nemechek had been running a Charlie Daniels
Charlie Daniels
Charles Edward "Charlie" Daniels is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is known primarily for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has performed and written. Daniels has been active as a singer...
paint scheme and Wallace did not recognize it. Despite getting as close as anyone to Petree's first victory, Wallace left for Eel River Racing
Eel River Racing
Eel River Racing was a NASCAR Winston Cup team that operated from 1981 to 2001. The team's history of drivers include Geoff Bodine, Michael Waltrip, Johnny Benson, Kenny Wallace, Jeff Fuller, Rick Mast, and Mike Bliss, among others. The team mainly ran Pontiac Grand Prixs, although they did run...
.
Still searching for victory in 2001, Petree kept Nemechek in the #33 and hired Bobby Hamilton
Bobby Hamilton
Charles Robert Hamilton, Sr. was a driver and owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit and the winner of the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. Hamilton owned Bobby Hamilton Racing, which fielded three entries in each NCWTS event...
to drive the #55. A 3rd team with Geoffrey Bodine driving made one start in 2000, but the deal fell through. It would turn out to be Petree's best season yet. The 9th race of the year, at Talladega Superspeedway, featured an amazing battle. After multiple lead changes, Hamilton took the lead as he took the white flag and held off Tony Stewart to win Petree's first career race. Hamilton would earn 6 more top-10s and 18th in the final 2001 rundown. For Nemechek, the season was mixed. While practicing at Dover Downs, Nemechek slammed the wall, and injured his leg. Luckily, Hamilton's son, Bobby Hamilton Jr. was more than willing to join his father. Hamilton Jr. ran 3 races, Wally Dallenbach Jr. ran at Pocono, and Scott Pruett
Scott Pruett
Scott Donald Pruett is an American race car driver who has competed in NASCAR, Champ Car, IMSA, Trans-Am and Grand-Am. He and his wife Judy have three children, and are children's book authors....
took over at Sears Point. (now Infineon) When Nemechek came back, his season was not the best and before October was over he announced his plans to leave. But Nemechek had one more trick up the sleeve. Nemechek pulled a dominating victory at North Carolina Speedway, giving APR its 2nd win from its 2nd team. However, with Nemechek gone and Oakwood leaving the #33 began to fold.
For 2002
2002 in NASCAR
The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday, February 10, and ended on Sunday, November 17. Tony Stewart with Joe Gibbs Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was captured by Ford after winning 14 events, and gaining 245 points over second place...
, Petree still wished to run the #33 along with Hamilton. Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (NASCAR)
Mike Wallace is a NASCAR race car driver born in Fenton, Missouri. He currently drives the #01 Chevrolet for JD Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. He is a younger brother to Rusty Wallace, older brother to Kenny Wallace, and uncle to Steve Wallace...
would drive the car for 4 races. However, with a best finish of 21st (Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
) and its most memorable moment being at Talladega, (starting the big wreck) the #33 team's glory days were over. It would be up to Hamilton and the #55 team. However, just as the #33 quit for good, Hamilton was injured. Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle
Gregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
and Ron Hornaday
Ron Hornaday
Ronald Hornaday, Jr. is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is the father of former NASCAR driver Ronnie Hornaday, and son of the late Ron Hornaday, Sr., a two-time Winston West Champion. Adding on to the family legacy, Ron is a four-time champion in the Truck Series, his most recent...
took over. Hamilton came back and promptly announced he was leaving to his truck team.
Andy Petree was backed in a corner. By February 2003, his Cup team was done. With no sponsor to be found, Christian Fittipaldi
Christian Fittipaldi
Christian Fittipaldi is a Brazilian racing driver who has competed in various forms of motorsport including Formula One, Champ Car and NASCAR...
's run in the #33 Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
Chevy in the Daytona 500 looked to be APR's last swan song.
However, Petree wasn't quite done. His longtime friend, John Menard convinced him to look at John's son, Paul Menard
Paul Menard
Paul Menard is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #27 Menards Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing and runs part-time for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is the son of Menards founder John Menard, Jr., whose company is his sponsor...
. Andy was quite impressed by Paul. He signed him to a contract quickly. Paul made his debut in the #55 Menards Chevy at Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
, Andy's first career Busch race as an owner. It was a productive race, as Paul finished 12th. After finishing 14th at the next race at Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Sparta, Kentucky, which has hosted ARCA, NASCAR and Indy Racing League racing annually since it opened in 2000. The track is currently owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Jerry Carroll, who, along with four other investors, owned...
, Andy allowed Paul to make his Cup debut at Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
(after Paul had DNQd at Infineon
Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway, is a road course and drag strip located on the landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains near Sonoma, California, USA. The course is a complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills...
). That race at the Glen would be Petree's last Cup race. The next week, Paul grabbed his first top-10 at IRP. Andy, who had made some Craftsman Truck Series starts, decided to put Paul in some Truck races. Menard drove the #33 Menards truck in 5 races and finished with one top-10, an 8th place at Kansas.
Petree signed Menard to a full Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
schedule for 2004, hoping to get Menard ready for a return to NEXTEL Cup in 2006. However, Menard had other plans. Halfway through the year, Menard signed with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was a NASCAR-related organization located in Mooresville, North Carolina, United States working to continue the legacy of Dale Earnhardt. It was originally formed in 1980 by seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt who died in a crash on the closing lap of the 2001...
, leaving Petree without at driver and a sponsor. His last Busch race would be at Chicago, where driver Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer is a NASCAR driver. He drives the #15 5 Hour Energy Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series for Michael Waltrip Racing. Early in his career, he drove for Richard Childress Racing. He won the 2008 Nationwide Series championship....
finished.
Petree's race team was dead in the water. After Michael Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Michael Curtis Waltrip is a semi-former professional race car driver, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and a published author. He is the younger brother of three-time NASCAR champion and racing commentator Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500; having won the race in...
finished last at a Craftsman Truck race at IRP, Petree sold his equipment and his shop to Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
(which started Kevin Harvick, Inc.. He went to work for Michael Waltrip, as a consultant for Waltrip's Busch team.
Car Driver
In 1988, Petree joined the G & G Racing team for 4 races. He finished 36th, 17th, 22nd and 30th, with the best finish at Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
. Martinsville was also his best qualifying effort of the season. There he started 18th.
While working for Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
, Earnhardt allowed Petree to drive his Busch car at Martinsville (1994). After starting 27th, Petree bettered his career best with a 16th. It would be his final BUSCH series start.
While his NEXTEL Cup
NEXTEL Cup
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...
team was falling apart, Petree tried to get some momentum going in the Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
. Petree made his debut in that series at Martinsville in 2002. Despite an impressive 3rd place qualifying effort, Petree crashed and finished in 31st. However, the race at IRP later that year was better. He finished 12th.
In 2003, Petree made 4 Truck starts and finished in the top-20 in each. He was 14th at Mesa Marin, 10th at Martinsville (career best), 20th at IRP, and 18th at the second Martinsville race.
Petree final start of his NASCAR career came at his best track: Martinsville in 2004. He started that race 9th and finished a respectable 18th.
Seven months later, his team was sold and Andy's career as a car owner and a car driver was finished.
ESPN
On October 12, 2006, Petree was officially named as part of the ESPN/ABC NASCAR broadcast team for their upcoming contract coverage. Petree joined Rusty WallaceRusty Wallace
Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:...
and Jerry Punch
Jerry Punch
Dr. Jerry Punch is an American auto racing and college football commentator on ESPN. Punch also does local radio spots in Knoxville.-Early life and career:...
in the broadcast booth, with Jamie Little
Jamie Little
Jamie Little from Las Vegas, Nevada is the pit reporter for NASCAR Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series coverage on ESPN/ABC. Little is a former pit reporter for ESPN/ABC coverage of the Indy Racing League, although she returned to her pit reporting duty for the 2007 and 2008 Indianapolis 500...
, Mike Massaro
Mike Massaro
Mike Massaro is a racing analyst at ESPN for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. On October 12, 2006, ESPN announced that Massaro will be a pit reporter when NASCAR coverage returns to ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC in 2007....
, Dave Burns
Dave Burns
Dave Burns , is a Dutch-British football coach. He is fluent in English and Dutch, and has basic knowledge of French and German....
, and Allen Bestwick
Allen Bestwick
Allen Bestwick is the host of ESPN's NASCAR pre-race show NASCAR Countdown and play-by-play announcer for the Sprint Cup Series races for the same company. He took over that position in 2011 after serving as the countdown to green host from 2008-2010 and a pit reporter for the network in 2007...
reporting from pit road. As of 2011, Petree is the only member of the 2006 broadcast team still in the booth; he is now joined by Allen Bestwick and Dale Jarrett
Dale Jarrett
Dale Arnold Jarrett is a former American race car driver and current sports commentator known for winning the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship...
, with Wallace in the infield studio and Punch on pit road.